The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-05
G|JRS|NG THE C|LPR|T.
British Public Must Have
Somebody to Blame
WITH WHITES DISASTER
Not Yet Agreed, However, on
Where Blame Lies.

copyright, 1899, by the Associated Press.)
London, Nov. ALMOST the only sub
ject of discussion in England this week
was the disastrous reverses sustained by
General White, the British commander at
Ladysmith, and this was made the occa-
sion for pouring out torrents of lay criti-
cism and advice. Public opinion is most
fairly divided, one section bitterly blam-
ing the general commanding and the
other maintaining that probably he is not
as much at fault as he made himself.
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 Rec
ord, after expressing this sentiment.
sidering the nature Of the country, the
lamentable unpreparedness of England
and the unwillingness of the opposition
To allow a British regiment to go TO South
Africa until President Kruger's ultimat-
I'm was received, it Is almost surprising
that We have been able to hold our iwn
so far Not only have the Beers proved
themselves determined fighters and splen-
did sharpshooters, as we knew them to
be, but they have developed surprising
military and strategic qualities. They
have nearly surrounded every garrison
we hold and have invariably occupied all
most unassailable positions, fighting with
great courage. Against such fighters our
little force, left isolated far from our
base and without hope of relief for days
to come, has not only done splendid work
but has gained successes which we ven
ture to believe no other soldiers in the
world, placed in similar positions and in
similar conditions could have achieved"
Although this may fairly be said to rep
resent conservative military opinion, its
reference TO the action Of the opposition
as reventing 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 Lans-
downe, and this emanates not so much
from the opponents of the government as
from It's warmest supporters. Some of
the ablest Of the latter have no hesita-
ton in saying privately that almost Grim |
inal neglect has been shown in not send
Ing at least 10000 more troops before or |
by October 4, and that il Lord I,ans- |
7OWnA'S =
ers, he ought to exculpate himself be-
Vond the shadow of a suspicion. The |
failure to send out troops enough cannot
be charged to the opposition. for parlia-
nent was not then sitting. If there
were any intention to hold Natal at all |
costs, an adequate force should have been
sent out by October T. when the excuse
that such reinforeements might be taken /
by the Beers as menace. no longer
held good. as the Indian troops were al |
ready on the way.
Hearing these criticisms in unexpected |
quarters, the correspondent Of the Asso-
,iated Press repeated them to a high |
government official. While non-commit-
al regarding the failure to send rein
'orcements earlier, this official declared
mat the broad lines Of policy affecting
Natal had been much misunderstood.
We are often asked" said he, why we
sent Sir George Stewart White up the
neck Of Natal unless we were sure he
could hold it Considering the tremend-
Gus achievements now on the way to
him, it occurs to almost everybody. at
first sight, that he ought to have retired
without risking engagements; but it is
forgotten what would happen in Natal
unless we made a vigorous stand there
Natal has risked her little all on behalf
IF the empire; and the least we can do is
to risk something ourselves and TO pre-
vent the overrunifng of her prosperous
owns and rich fields by hordes of the en-
emy. Purely military considerations. 1
admit might point to the fact that we
to have withdrawn from our
advanced positions, but purely military
have sometimes to be sub
'rdinated to the interests Of the empire.
ana although many lives have been lost
n the cause they have not been wasted"
The acceptance Of the offer of Sir Will
am MacC0rmack. DR.. Frederick Treves
ind other eminent civilian surgeons for
service in South Africa has drawn atten-
ion to the serious understanding Of the
my medical stan. The total strength
# the department is only $40. which is %
'er cent below the figures Of forty years
go, and actually fifty officers below the
bsolute minimum decided upon in 1884
'his state Of affairs is due doubtless to
ne insufficient compensation offered.
Several small detachments Of country
eomanry are going out independent Of
he war Office. TO the sat Of war. on the
hance Of joining the Imperial Iight
Iorse. Lord Lonsdale and Lord Harris.
9th yeomanry officers, are aiding this
movement.
The heavy losses among the British Of
GERS in Natal have led the Military
ournal 10 suggest that the sword he
polished, not only on account Of its use
essness. but also because its glitter at
racts the aim Of an enemy and indi-
ates the officer.
Her majesty. it IS reported, has per-
on2lly conveyed to Field Marshal Lord
Garnet Wolseley an expression Of her
.rauncaJien 81 the manner in which the
whole military machine has worked since
was hrst set in motion by the Boer
Iumatnm especially in the matter Of
mobilization Apparently the queen has
iot forgotten The existence Of the com
lapse of memory In
which the public is now rather prone. and
Fhich. 50 II is said. the Ma-uis Of Ians-
owne committed Intentionally.