The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-22
THE MEANING OF WAR REVERSES

No one need to conclude that the re-
peated disasters and heavy losses of
the British in Africa will have any
effect to close the war. John Bull is
not built that way. He is a very stub
born fighter. 1t took him seven years
to find out that he could not conquer
and hold his thirteen American colo
MES. But it is just to him and to his
tory to say that but for the fact that
he was fighting three other nations he
would nave subdued the colonies in
the first year. He could not COM
mand his then. He could
not spare the necessary troops to give
the rebels" a sound thrashing. Re-
member that then he had but 5000, 900
of people, while now he has 40, OOO, 900.
So the wal in Africa will continue and
with added determination and greater
industry. If necessary to accomplish
its purpose Great Britain can send a
half million soldiers to the Transvaal.
The disasters have been numerous and
most h~umiliating to British arms, al
though the fighting has been very he
.roic and desperate, with no little of in
competent generalship. The New York
Evening Post, lately edited by an able
Bnglishman, says this of the effect Of
the reverses:
1.-The cruel losses which the English
have already suffered should be suffi-
ojent, one would say, to Stake the lingo
thirst for blood for a long time to come.
The Jingoes are, in fact, keeping very
quiet in England just now.
Just at present, of course, the chief
effect of the British disasters and the
mourning spread throughout the king
dom is to make army and country fight
L. IL NIn Aurnr mill INnonn hn nnn-
auered.
The thousands of dead and manned
and captured British soldiers will make
the next Colonial Secretary sure that
his meaning is written clear, and that
it Is clearly against war. We did not
really need the reminder, but the South
African battles furnish 1t, that the old
proverb-"War is a spark dropped in
the Devils Undertook"
The war will rage with increased de-
termination, but probably with more
discreet and able generalship. Old
General Roberts should be sent to take
command as has been the rumor. He
ranks first among living British sol.
diers. unless Kitchener be his superior.
The above was crowded out in last
issue. We add that both Roberts and
Kitchener are to go to Africa, the two
greatest of English soldiers left. The
British army in Africa now is $4,000.
Soon 20, 900 more will be there. And to
these will be added not less than 5000
mere. With an army of 125, 900 surely
General Roberts then can subdue 10000
if cit takes all summer"
The blndering has been great, but
task has been very great also. The
New York World gives it as follows,
estimating the Boer force for greater
than we have seen it estimated:
ITO maintain lines of communication
and bases of supplies in a country ~
per cent Of whose rural population is
hostile to her. To carry On active oper-
atoms in one of the most difficult coun-
tries in the world against a people who
have sent upwar dof $4,000 brave, we'll
armed and admirably trained soldiers
into the field. TIC conquer these armies
when they are fighting on their own
ground for their own homes and for
principles which they believe in to the
verge of fanaticism. To make wal 5000
miles from home across the seas and
in q vast Inc arid territory about as
large as the United States east OF the
Mississippi, every part OF which must
be covered"
Great Britain can do great things
when really aroused and put upon her
metal. When she realises fully that
her prestige is we'll nigh gone, that her
lesses are much by reason of the de-
feats in one week of a very serious
kind. she will be more resolute. and
will pour her troops and
upon the Beers. The latter are X the
south was. When they had a man
killed or disabled. there is no remedy
ing it or replacing him. He Is gone.
The north had the world as a recruit
ing ground, and q, 900, 900 of people in
addition to fight 5000 900. 1t could
stand any losses a it could bring
two men to take the place of the one
laid away. The Beers must grow
weaker while the British forces IN
e and strengthen. The New YORK
Tribune says of the recent defeats:
"But when, over and owe again, the
various divisions Of an army are LED