The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-22
THE BRITISH JICTORY Ar GLENCOE
Dearly Bought Because of the Largo Pro-
portion of Officers Killed.


SPECIAL Cnh', Hsspamh 10 TUX SUM-
LONDON Oct. II The inevitable Is happen
ing in South Africa more speedily than the
Enl1ish themselves expected. Tho details
arriving Of Yesterdays dearly bought victory
show that the Boer defeat was crushing. and.
for ordinary troops. would he almost decisive.
u is impossible. however to estimate intelli-
gently the effect OF the severe reverse upon the
Boer.. for it is a newexperence for them. The
Simultaneous checks at Mafeking and Glencoe
by forces smaller nan their own. cannot fail to
modify seriously their plan OF campaign. 1t is
fully expected in this country that the Beers
will now concentrate all their efforts against
Kimberley with the possible capture OF Cecil
Rhodes as the chief incentive. There is no
doubt that every Boer in the two republics
will do aud dare mora to accomplish this than
all other objects combined and II. perchance.
they should succeed II is safe to say that the
life o''he famous prisoner would speedily be
forfeited - ...-.-. -
There q no longer rnu~h mystery about the
suhitish plans. In general the inst -uctions to
the forces in Natal and at Kimberley and Mafe-
kinS ara to hold their own defen sively until
the arrival Of Gen. Sir Rsdvers Buffers army
corps Gen. Sir George Stewart White In
Natal will probably receive wide discretion as
tn what extent to follow up yesterdays victory.
y
tn Beers. hut it would appear foolhardy for
him to risk dash into the Transvnal with his
present force. The bod commander might
try to rush INTO Pretoria itself on the heels OF
the panir-stricken enemy. but he whole British
rolcy il this campaign Ia slow and sure. and
the failure OF a brilliant attempt would be
Disgrace.
l. should be RENE m bered also that only our
version OF yesterdays battle has been received
and it is meagre There is no reason to doubt
the fact Of tho BOer defeat. but tho intinat'on
that lie Beers lacked courage and markham
ship should he received with great reserve. A
striking feature of the battle. which above all
else impresses the Eng 'ish public, il tho high
proportion Of casualties among British Off GERS.
ThsiseHplained not only by the Intelligent and
Ss'u shooting by the Boer rfemen. but also
hy the reckless courage OF the victims. 1t hos
zen freely rrOphesied that when hosti'ites
began the casualties among British officers
world he appalling. The keenness to win
distinction and promotion. especially among
IN" younger officers Is so great. that it out
runs discretion.
Their b.avery Is magnificent. but when they
fecHIessIy refuse 10 take advantage OF tho
ha'lIaI cover when making an advance in the
lace ot th- Ell my, it becomes courage at the
expense of military wisdom. In Yesterdays
ana onr.siMh Of the wounded. Hence it is that
England : grjeI and admiration are tinged with
some bitterness
turning to the Mafeking side OF the cam
~lgn' 1t is clear that Col Baden Powell has
made most gallant and successful defence
agar sta superior force. 1t has heen assumed
ny some military critics here that Col Baden
foNeil would have to wait till some OF Cen
hute's army corps arrived before he could be
reviewed. Asa matter OF fact. at least Que reRi-
m'ht aud pnc N,ld battery will probably reach
MN within few days. These reinforcement
were despatched so secretly that it 10 unce ain
whence they were drawn. or when they started
hof|hSard. The censor has taken care that no
news was cablsd here that was likely to reach
PRETORIA via Deagoa Bay. The latter danger
no longer exists, for on Wednesday the Gov
eminent established a censor on outgoing mat
~r 10 The London Office of the Eastern Company
an' also at Alden, where the Delagoa cable
0uehes lnis mater OF cable communication
"herlouS The west coast line 10 OF poor quality
anu " constantly liable TO interruption. Answ
s'oe IS being laid and 1t is hoped that It will
O'comrISts in six weeks. A good deal of un =
observed abuse has been cast on the Eastern
NomphnJ IN consequence OF delay, which. in
"e case "t press dispatches at present aver
ages twenty hours. but it is d iffleult to see how
OecHOles are now worked at their maximum
capacity and the operators are admittedly the
UesI that can be hal. The probabilities are
'"at the deDays will increase. and it will be al
mo" Miraculous II the west cable does no,
0tsaI down at some critical moment.
ms british main plan q campaign unless
us i"a.ied by the Boer defeat in Natal. will
We what VAS outlined last week by THE Suns
~'"'"y correspondent with Gen. Butler
LaMtI' the lnvas, Ii Of the Orange Free State
non the south aud thence on TO the TransVaal
"a" hft'sh have made extensive prepar ration.
=" 'Sao.Lsh base at strong position on the
U'@' 8" River at a bridge a few miles FRI m
''p"'o"n. which is on the border Aconsid
r''" '"l'H a already strong Mortified there
4"' pan Of campaign was entirely devised by
''". H"!cr and submitted by him TO what /.
A"'"h HN ia" Board uf War at the War Depart
~ ''' u week Def 4.c y" left England Gen
or h.l ia" hoard conferred during the
garage 'rnaIy, O.',S. 1t is needless TO sal
''. N''"''l nation Of tho decis on OF the con,
, - "d- oic ally obtained. but friends o
Butler, fom liar with his views as OK
seed l.ng h"'ure b. had AIRY idea OF war II
A'I'e", aIe confident t.at tho iolloWIIG