The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-19
DOES ENGLAND SEE DEFEAre

Why is IL that few reverses in South
Africa has caused such gloom in England?
Why Is it that her leading newspapers are
talking about the empire losing its place
among the great Powers? II has been only
about two months since the war began,
and from the tone of the London papers
1t might be inferred that in the opinion Of
the majority of the British people it has
been practically decided that Great Bri-
tain will have TO get out Of South At
RIGA. only a few hundred British soldiers
have been killed, and the entire casualties
on the British slde-the killed wounded,
prisoners and missing-do not amount TO
many more than 1000,
AS a matter OF fact, however, the eitua-
ton for Great Britain is much more Sc
rious than is apparent to the casual OBJ
server. She is rich and her empire in
cludes possessions in all parts of the world,
but her possessions in time of war are
source Of weakness instead of strength. in
letter written before the beginning of the
war in South Africa, Gen. Joubert, the
commander of the Boer army, said that it
would DE impossible for the British to send
more than 5000 men to the Transvaal
without Withdrawing her troops from the
colonies, and that she would not be able
to employ more than 5000 in operations
in the field. the rest being needed for gar
rison duty and for guarding exposed
places. His judgment was that the Beers
could take care Of that number, and a
great many more. Great Britain will of
course send more than IS, 600 men 20 South
Africa, but they will not be trained troops
from her colonies. She win not dare draw
any more from that source. 1t
is apparent already, although the
war has only just begun, that
instead of $500 men 1t will require nearer
$4,000 20 conquer the Beers. Indeed, ii is
by no means certain that Great Britain
can subdue them at all. The realization Of
the difficulties. If not the impossibilty,
of the task that has been undertaken is
one of the reasons why there is gloom in
England.
Another reason is that with every disas-
ter the obstacles in the way of bringing
the war to successful close in a short
time increase enormously. Even now there
is strong probability that the whole of
South Africa will rise against Great Bril-
tain. Instead therefore of having only the
Transvaal to contend against, she will
have an enemy in all of the South Afri-
can states. Combined they can put a large
army in the field-an army composed of
as good material as there is to be found in
any army in Europe. If the whole of South
Africa should rise in rebellion, Great Bri-
tain would find 1851 600 men unequal to the
task of maintaining her authority there.
Still another reason, and one that is as
depressing as either of those mentioned,
is the knowledge that she has not a friend
in Europe, that all of the continental
Powers are rejoicing al her reverses and
would be glad of her ultimate defeat, that
Russia and France are DOCKING for an
opening 20 strike her a blow, that ireland
sympathizes with the Beers, and that if
she does not win victories soon thousands
in this and other countries will join the
Beers end that millions of dollars will be
subscribed 10 assist the Boer cause. It is
not 20 be wondered at therefore that there
is gloom in England. Neither is it to be
wondered at that the leading London pa
pers hint that the empire is in danger.
There has been laundering and incompe-
tency on the part of the British ever since
the differences with the Beers began. The
British war office did not know what the
strength of the Beers was. AS Gen. Jou-
bert points out its spies were deceived.
The British government thought that il
would be a matter of only few weeks
to bring the Beers to terms. 1t is only
after Gems. Gatacre, Methuen and Butler
have been defeated that il is waking up
to the fact that the empire is threatened
with a great dlsaster-a disaster that
would take it out of the list of the great
Powers of the world. The defeated gen
erals are among the best, IL not the very
best that Great Britain has, and the sol
diers in South Africa comprise the flower
of the British army. The English people
va cauSa IN feel erIonrnv