The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16
soMEnopY nLuNDERED.

| It IS now admitted that the battle at
/ Magersfontein was defeat for the Brit
/ ish. not a defeat that amounted to a dlsas-
| ter, but one that is likely to have a far
/ reaching effect on the situation in South
Africa. The Cape Colony Dutch are in
waveriug state of mind. Another de-
feat like that at Magersfontein would like
ly influence them to cast their fortunes
with the Beers Of Transvaal, Natal and
the Orange Free State.
A few days ago an article in a New
York paper from the pen of an officer Of
the German army contained the state
ment that the officers Of the British army
are brave to rashness. but are stupid.
While 1t is probable that the statement
is unjust to British army officers, so far
as it characterized them as stupid, il must
be admitted that in South Africa they
have thus far shown but little ability.
1t is not too much to say that they have
been out-generaled by the Boer officers
at almost every point. OF the fourteen
engagements and skirmishes which have
been fought since the war began, the
Beers were successful in all but three or
four, aud these, with one exception, were
minor affairs.
1t was said in our dispatches yesterday
that the British did not know that they
were so close to the Boer intrenchments
at the battle of Magersfontein when Inc
Beers opened fire upon them. It seems
that they did not take the trouble to find
out exactly where the Beers We're. They
rushed blindly into an ambuscade. and
-
be otherwise than that somebody blum
dered? The truth is the British officers
went to South Africa with a sort of con-
tempt for the Beers. With their splen-
did, finely disciplined and thoroughly
equipped regiments they expected to have
no trouble in forcing the Beers to accept
the terms of Great Britain in a very short
time. They have found out, and that,
too, in a very few weeks that in the
Beers they have an enemy entirely differ
ent from the enemies the British army
has been accustomed to meet in the Sou
dan or in India. The Beers are fearless
soldiers and they are sl1illfully led.
The situation in South Africa is becom-
ing more dangerous and threatening to
Great Britain every day. A few more re-
verses and she will not only have all of
the South African states to contend with,
but she will have troubles in other parts
of the world. Let but the impression
become general that she has a war on her
hands that is going to call forth her best
efforts to bring to a satisfactory conclus-
ion and she win nave trouble in quarters
from which she Is not expecting it,
1t is evident now that the Boer war Is
not going to be short one. The Beers
are much stronger than they were
in October, and every success they have
win bring recruits to their standard In
all parts of the world there are soldiers
of fortune VINO are thinking of taking
service under the Boer flag. Hundreds
have already done So and they will be
Joined by thousands, if the Beers show
that they are able to make a long and
strong fight for their country. Not only
will they be Joined by soldiers of fortune
from all nations, but nearly the whole
of the fighting force of South Africa will be
found under their banner. 1t is important
therefore that the British shall have some
very notable successes in the very near
future. If they do not, the war will be
long and costly one and may even mark
the beginning of down-grade movement
of the British empire