Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-09
Copyrighted, 1899, by tho Associated pros..

Copyrighted, 1899, by tho Associated Press.
London, Eng, Nov. 4.-Almost the
only subject Of discussion this week in
England was the disastrous reverse
suffered by Gen. Sir George Stewart
White. the British commander at
Ladysmith, Natal, as this was made
the occasion for pouring out torrents of
lay criticism and advice. Public
opinion seems fairly divided, one Sec
tion bitterly blaming the general COM
Inanding, and the other maintaining
that he probably is not as 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 follows:
Considering the nature of the
country, the lamentable unprepared-
ness Of England and the unwillingness
of opposition to allow British regi-
ment to go to South Africa until Presi-
dent Kruger's ultimatum was received,
it 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 surrounded every
garrison we hold, and Have Invariably
occupied almost unassailable positions,
fighting, with great courage. Against
such fighters, our little force, left leo
lated 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 venture to
believe no other soldiers in the world,
placed in similar position and in
similar unfortunate conditions, could
have achieved. F"
Although this may fairly be said to
represent conservative military opinion,
its reference to the action of the opposi-
tion as preventing the sending of tfooLs
IN good time is entirely erroneous.
Since the first news OF the Ladysmith
disaster reached England, there has
been storm gathering over the head
not of Gen. Sir George Stewart White,
but of the Secretary of State for War,
the Marquis of Lansdowne, and this
emanates not SO much from the op-
ponents Of the government as from its
warmest supporters. Some of the ablest
of the latter have no hesitation in say
iDR lElfdtttJ hlulOEb CElIDlndl
neglect has been shown in not sending
at least 10, 600 more troops before or by
October 4th, and that, II Lord Lans-
downe's hands were tied by higher
powers, he ought to exculpate himself
beyond the shadow Of suspicion. The
failure to send out troops enough cannot
be charged to the opposition, for Par
Lament was not then sitting. II there
were any intention TO hold Natal at all
costs, an adequate force should have
been sent out by October 4th. when the
excuse that such reinforcements might
be taken by the Beers as menace no
longer held good, as the Indian troops
were already on the way.
Hearing these criticisms in uucx-
pected quarters, the correspondent of
The Associated Press repeated them 10
high government official. While nom
committal regarding the failure to send
reinforcements earlier, this official de
clared that the broad lines OF policy
affecting Natal had been much mis-
understood. I'VE are often asked, I"
said he, why We sent Gen. Sir George
Stewart White up the neck of Natal
unless we we're sure he could hold it.
Considering the tremendous reinforce-
ments now on the way to him, it occurs
to almost everybody at first sight that
he ought to have retired without risk-
ing engagements, but it is forgotten
what would happen in Natal unless we
made vigorous stand there. Natal
has risked her little all oG behalf of the
Empire. and the least we can do is to
risk something ourselves to prevent the
overrunning of her prosperous towns
and rich fields by hordes of tho enemy.
Purely military considerations, admit,
might point TO the fact that we ought
Immediately to have Withdrawn from
our advanced positions, but purely
military considerations have some times
to be subordinated to the interest of the
Empire, ard, although many good lives
have been lost in such cause, they
have not been wasted.''