The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21

for the task intrusted TO them, as we may
we'll do, IL IL evident from the enormous
extent OF the preparations that severe,
and, 1t may DO, long trial Of their qualityis
not contingency unexpected by the War
ONCE. The fall OF Consols below par indi-
Gates that It Is the opinion Of financial
England, also, that large war loan Is
inevitable, and the excitement over recruit
ing in both England and its colonies is
suggestive OF belief in prolonged contest.
The very circumstance that the most
illustrious General of the British army has
been appointed to take charge OF the new
campaign, with the General whose recent
fame has become worldwide as his chief
OF staff, affords further evidence OF the
extreme gravity OF the situation. Eng
land is now putting It's best foot forward,
exerting it's ability to the utmost. 1t
cannot afford to risk repetition OF the
disasters which have befallen WHITE, CAT
ACRE, METHUEN and BUTLER, thus inviting
the derision Of Europe. It's military pres
tige lie at stake, the endurance Of the British
Empire is under trial before all the world
Such terrible responsibilities will have
q tendency to create caution In the
face OF an enemy heretofore dangerously
underestimated. A carefully laid out cam
paign seems. therefore. to be assured, In
volvlng time In perfecting the plans and
arrangements for 1t. The peril Of failure is
too great for England to take any risks she
can avoid, no matter how long she has to
walt In order to organize success. Accord
ingly the campaign, so far az tho British
forces already In the field are concerned.
seems now to be at . standstill. awaiting
tho completion Of the preparations for the
new campaign, and unless they arc forced
to resist tho aggressive activity OF tho
Beers 1t 10 likely TO be continued.
Even II the Beers are compelled by Lord
RoBKBrs to retire from their present posi-
tions and from an aggressive campaign to
fall back upon their own country to con-
duct purely defensive war. such q change
In the situation docs not now seem to be
possible before February at the earliest.
even II 1t 10 not delayed until month later;
for we assume that, with strengthened
forces. the British will be able, In q new
campaign, to retrieve the disasters OF
the last. so far as to drive back the
Doors to their own soil After this 10
accomplished. however. the end Of tho
war may be yet far Of for that popula-
ton Of farmers, all practically under arms,
without the eIigencies Of Q complex civil
iEation to distract and disturb them. may
be able to continue o long resistance as the
defenders Of . country naturally adapted
to successful defence and bristling with
artificial Notifications.
A prudent man, therefore. will be very
careful about committing himself to 0
conclusion as 10 the length Of time the war
in South Africa will last, and even ss to Its
outcome. The only thing that IL certain
10 that the British Empire 10 straininR its
military resources and taxing its military
ability to the utmost to force the contest
to an end, but the very magnitude Of the
preparations is suggestive OF the expecta-
ton OF long delay In carrying them to .
successful issue.