New-York tribune., 1899-12-19
PLACING THE BLAME.
THE QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR
BRITISH REyERsES IN AFRICA.

Copyright: 1899; by The New-York Tribune.
GBY TRIBUNE.l
London. Dec 10 l q m.-The War Office has
taken advantage OF the earliest opportunity for
explaining that the appointment Of Lord Rob
erts as Commander in Chief is not intended as
an indication Of lack Of confidence in General
Butler Apologies not needed since the
crisis in South Africa is too serious for con-
sderation Of personal disappointments. General
Butler cannot conduct the campaign in Natal
and retain direct supervision OF the operations
In Cape Colony and on the western border.
General Foresticr-Walhsr has been acting
Generai Buffers deputy. although his de-
partnent. that of communications. requires his
rnremitting vigilance. and General Warren can
only represent him temporarily. But Lord Rob-
erts the best soldier in the army, is needed
Commander in Chief. with Kitchener, the best
organizer. at his right hand. chief of staff.
and the Ministers have put two of the best men
where they ought to be-
The action Of the Government meets with uni
versal approval. General Butler has warm
friends who assert that he ought not TO have
been set aside account OF Colonel Longs
bunder in taking the guns too near the river.
But there are two facts which they choose 10
overlook One is the repulse Of Buffers army
with heavy losses at critical stage Of the
campaign. The other is the complete paralysis
Of his army corps, which was expected TO march
to Bloemfontein and Pretoria, but is scat
tered over South Africa, and has failed to ac-
complish any definite purpose There is
general impression that the War Office has
been conducted in the interest OF what is known
as the "Woseley gang" and that It needs
good shaking up. Certainly the selection Of
Lord Wolseleys rival Lord Roberts the best
Of all the Indian fighters is rebuke the
Headquarters favorites, who have been manag
Ing the campaign and making serious mistakes.
DID NOT ACT ON INFORMATION.
Sir John Ardagh. head OF the Intelligence De-
partment. may have furnished accurate list
Of the Boer artillery available for war; but the
Staff in that had acted strangely in send
ing inferior guns 10 the seat Of war when there
were howitzer batteries within reach The ship
ment Of the army corps and all the details Of
the transport on shore may have been well
managed. but II remains true that the Staff did
not adapt itself 10 the precise requirements Of
the campaign with mounted infantry, remark
able for mobility. and that the cavalry arm was
neglected The new programme Of the War
Office calls for long range artillery and an un-
usually large proportion of mounted troops. The
shaking up process has already been useful 1t
is not necessary for Lord Wolseley's indlscreet
Queen has been suspicious OF him since his re-
fusal TO go to Canada as Viceroy. and that Lord
Roberts has been sent to Cape Town In order
to provide the Duke Of Connaught with high
command in Ireland. The best soldier is needed
for an emergency Of supreme Importance and
the Queens Ministers have summoned him.
heartbroken though he is from the loss OF his
Ony son
The Ministry also required vigorous shaking
y and is getting 1t. 1t is undoubtedly true
hat Lord Woseley was anxious 10 mobilize an
army corps as early as June or July, but the
Chancellor Of the Exchequer would not agree
TO provide the money, and Lord Lansdowne
was not convinced that such action was ex-
pedient or necessary. Military men were fu-
rous when brought on with the grass
green the veldt for the Boer ponies and the
Leading martinets have been disposed to regard
Sir Michael Hicks Beach as the Jonah OF the
Ministerial ship. Many old Tories have pointed
10 Mr.. Chamberlain as the real Jonah. They
assert that the Ministers throughout the nego-
tiations took from him the false cue that
President Kruger would certainly give way
under steady pressure, and that even II he
did not make concessions the Beers would
not make genuine fight, aud that there would
be at the worst not war but military demon
stration. This is secret history as II Is told by
men who know what has been going on In the
innermost circles. safe commentary upon II
would be that Presidents KRUGER and Steyn
brought the at their convenience, just
as the Dutch commanders have succeeded In
Forcing the British generals 10 attack them
under conditions most favorable for themselves.
The old Tories are always railing at Mr. Cham
berlan. but. unlike what is going on In Africa,
Is u sham fight. AZ the end Of the war ne