The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-05
PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED.
Criticism and COmmendatiOnf for Brit
ish War Office officials

ish War Office officials.
LONDON, Nov. Almost the only sub
ject of discussion this week in England
was the disastrous reverse suffered by Gen.
Sir George Stewart White, the British COM
mander at Ladysmith, and this was made
the occasion for pouring out torrents of
lay criticism and advice. Public opinion
seems fairly divided, one section bitterly
blaming the general commanding and the
other maintaining that he probably is not so
much at fault as he made himself out. The
latter section, which includes many service
men and nearly all the service publications.
urges the Withholding of definite criticism
pending more detailed accounts. The Naval
and Military Record, after expressing this
sentiment, sums up the situation as fol-
lows:
Considering the nature of the country,
the lamentable preparedness Of England
and the unwillingness of the opposition to
allow British regiment to go to South
Africa until President Kruger's ultimatum
was received, 1t is almost surprising that
We have been able to hold our own so far.
| Not only have the Beers proved themselves
determined fighters and splendid sharp
| shooters, as we knew them to be, but they
| have developed surprising military and
| strategic qualities. They have nearly sur
| rounded every garrison We hold, and have
| invariably occupied almost Unassailable po-
| sitioEs. fighting with great courage. Against
such fighters our little force, left isolated
far from our base and without hope of re-
| lief for days to come, has not only done
splendid work, but has gained successes
| which We venture to believe no other SOL
diers in the world, placed in similar posi-
.r.- g.
could have achieved"
Although this may fairly be said to rep
resent conservative military opinion its ref
erence to the action of the opposition as
preventing the sending of troops in good
time is entirely erroneous. Since the first
news of the Ladysmith disaster reached
| England there has been a storm gathering
over the head, not of Sir George White,
but of the secretary of state for war; the
Marquis of Lansdowne, and this emanates
not so much from the opponents of the gov
| ernment as from its warmest supporters.
| Some of the ablest of the latter have no
| hesitation in saying privately that almost
| criminal neglect has been shown in not
sending at least 10000 more troops before
/ or by Oct l. and that if Lord Lansdowne 9
| hands were tied by higher powers he ought
| TO exculpate himself beyond the shadow of
a suspicion. The failure to send out troops
enough cannot be charged to the opposition,
for Parliament was not then sitting. If there
was any intention to hold Natal at all
costs al adequate force should have been
| sent out by Oct 4, when the excuse that
| such reinforcements might be taken by the
| Beers as a menace no longer held good, as
! the Indian troops were already on the way.
AHIGH OFFICIALS STATEMENT.
| Hearing these criticisms in unexpected
quarters, the correspondent of the Associ-
| ated Press repeated them to high govern
ment official. While noncommittal regard
ing the failure to send reinforcements ear
lier, this official declared that the broad
| lines OF policy affecting Natal had been
much misunderstood. 1--WE are often asked,
said he, why we sent Sir George Stewart
White up the Neck CT Natal unless We were
| sure he could hold it. Considering the tre-
mendous reinforcements now on the way to
him, it occurs 10 almost everybody, at first
| sight, that we ought to have retired with
out risking engagements; but 1t Is forgotten
1 what would happen in Natal unless we
made vigorous stand there Natal has
risked her little all on behalf of the en-
| pire; and the least We do Is TO risk
something ourselves and TO prevent the
| overrunning OF her prosperous towns and
rich fields by hordes of the enemy. Purely
military considerations, l admit, might
point to the fact that we ought Immediately
withdraw from out advanced positions. but
purely military considerations have some
times to be subordinated to the interests OF
the empire, and, although many good lives
| have been lost in the cause, they have moi
been wasted"
The acceptance Of the offers of Sir Will
lam MacCormac, DR.. Frederick Treves and
other eminent civilian surgeons for service
in South Africa has drawn attention TO tbs
serious undermanning Of the army medica
staff The total strength of the depart
ment is only $40. which is 20 per cent be
low the figures of forty years ago, and
actually fifty officers below the absolute
minimum decided upon in 1854. This state
Of affairs is due doubtless TO the insult
cient compensation offered.
Deserters from both the army and navy
continue TO give themselves up, in order tC
be returned TO their regiments and ships FOL
active service. Scarcely day passes with.
out the London magistrates having to dea
with a half dozen or so cases of this char
4 acter. and as the deserters walk out OF the
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