New-York tribune., 1899-12-18
WAR NEWS WATCHED CLOSELY.
GREAT INTEREST MANIFESTED HERE IN
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION.

The news Of the recent serious reverses sunered
by the British forces in South Africa has caused
widespread comment and talk In the clubs. hotels
and cafes uptown. The serious defeat OF General
Butler caused intense interest Even those who have
stood bv England most stanchly and upon the re-
cept Of news of the various reverses were inclined
TO say that things would soon change were grave
IN talking about the situation yesterday. They
were face TO face with the actual facts that three
OF Engand's foremost generals had met serious de-
feats in South Africa. one after the other
In the clubs where military and those In
terested in Army and Navy affairs congregate
serious criticism is heard Of the tactics displayed
bv the British generals. Overconhdence IL one OF
the things charged against them. and 1t is said
that they have not properly protected their com
rands nv careful scouting. Ii is said that the
Rritish generals do not realize that they have to
deal with a shrewd courageous and resourcelui
foe Of great mobility and recuperative power IL
IS ponted out that in nearly every battle the WHY
Roers have led the British troops right Into the
position the Boer generals pick out for A battle
ground and once having them entraTped proceed
n oyerwhelm them utterly. Then when the shat
tered army drops back the Beers quietly reform
and recuperate with marvellous rapldlty .,.,.,u.
or course these critics say. IL IL easy 10 crltlcse
from this distance, and possibly the criticisms are
unfair owing to lack Of knowledge ol an c0n@qtIos @
but from the Information that mas hltered tht0ugh
these observations, they say, seem 10 ge & JussGu; ;
Every is admirng Engahd rmskeu d Sr into ,,o
victory ,,.,.-. o.. ,.,,,.. and so,so-
tionnl struggles in South Africa the people are so
absorbed that they overlooking the excellent
work done by our own army In the Philippines:
They are accomplishing wonders out there; and
think the insurrection Is about at an end The
people however seem to take more interest In the
English war than In our own -, 49,,
The effect upon the stock market oi the briusn
revorses has also caused great deal OF talk A
well known hnancer sald; . - -, -.
."Tbe fact that stocks have sold OF does not
indicate any lack Of faith In Engands ability ultl-
natelv 10 win her struggle. The situation II TINS;
The Beers by their successes 80 far nave greatIy
aggravated the situation II means that more men;
more artillery more troop ships more ammunition
and other munitions Of war must be sent out. All
OF this Is going 10 cost money England must nave
money and she must get IL from her own peopo
largely This will mean that many ot tne stocKn SiI
on American railways and other corporations wll
be thrown upon the market The shrewd capitahst
downtown realizes this and every effort Is being
made 10 depress the value Of stocks 50 that "hen
these stocks are thrown on the market they , can
be secured AT a nominal figure. Once England does
turn the tide however, and the end or the war @ WIN
Rtish victory Is IN sight then you will see things
boom This country is just as prosperous as IL can
be There isn't a ieck In the SKY 20 threa,en . zen
danger and once the present war condition - re-
Isyed. boom times will be At hand