Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-12-21


an commandcrs-bea by inieri-
or numbers OF volunteer farmers. They
have been out-maneuvred and out
fought from the start. Instead of Gen.
Buffers eating his Christmas dinner in
Pretoria, as he boasted he would do
when he left England, he is doing his
best to preserve his force intact until
reinforccments can reach him. Ten
thousand British are still cooped up in
Ladysmith. Kimberley and Mafeking
are still surrounded by Beers. There
is scarcely crumb of comfort in the
whole situation. Worst feature of all,
the Dutch in Cape Colony are rising by
thousands and joining the Beers or
harrassing the British from the rear.
Dutch blood, too, it seems, is thicker
than water, and dreams of 4 grand
Atrikander republic in Southern Africa,
after the hated British shall have been
driven out, are awakening all the de-
scendants Of the original colonists and
inspiring them with unwonted ardor.
Indeed, it would not be surprising TO
see the British forced to retire to the
sea coast until the tremendous ener-
gies of the empire can be put into full
play and her resources centered in a
supreme effort.
Great Britain is in sore straits. She
has lost in prestige what can scarcely
be regained by an overwhelming array
of force. Other nations-jealous and
secretly hOstile-are watching. They
will be encouraged by her weak show
ing to match strength with her. Her
successes Of a half century, over half
civilized tribes, are discounted by her
disgrace when, for the first time in
many years, she meets a white fee,
well armed. 1t would require
but small preteXt for France, the tra-
enemy, to attempt the revenge
of Waterloo. Russia may seize the
golden opportunity TO promote her In
dian policy, and Britain is now pow
erless to oppose her.
But for her navy, England would be
at the mercy Of any of the European
powers in this extremity, Her land
strength is much less than commonly
supposed. She has a comparatively
small home population on whose 10y
atty she can depend under all circum-
stances. Ireland would rejoice IN Eng
lands downfall. The colonies cannot
be depended on for assistance, except
such as they may profi'er. Her regular
army is divided and scattered all over
the world and not nearly all of it is
in this juncture. She has
now called ont her last home detach-
ments and will hurry them to South
Africa to retrieve her losses. Ii that
should fail, her extremity would be
dire. She would have to depend on
and these would come
rather slowly in a forlorn cause and
would have TO be disciplined before they
could take the field.
1t was anticipated at the outset that
the Beers, being nearest to the scene of
action, would gain some initial sue
cesses, so that when Glencoe and Dun
dee fell and Gen. White was coOped up
in Ladysmith no real surprise followed.
wait until British reiniorcements ar
rive, and they will speedily set things
fright" was freely predicted. They
came, but things still 90 awry, The
British campaign thus far is a Hat fail
ire and it is hard to see just how it
an be redeemed.
Those who believe in the justice of
he Boer cause claim a direct divine
in their favor, and indeed |
t does seem as if some higher power |
han their own were enlisted on their
ide. While there is general feeling |
II friendlineSs for Great Britain in this
country, fostered by her aid in our be-
lalf during the Spanish war, very
rge preponderance of sentiment is in
avor of the Beers. Their cause APP
'eals to our liberty-loving people,
while the attempt of the British to con-
.uer them seems an unwarrantable in
difference, prompted by avarice and