Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-15
Copyright, Associated Press.)

Copyright Associated Press.)
LONDON, October 14.-War, so often
predicted in these dispatches as being
the inevitable climax to hopeless nego-
tiations, has come at last, and is now
in full swing for the subsection of the
little republic whose military sun sets
and rises at Majuba Hill. Great Brit
ain has set going machinery more pow
erful than that which crushed Napoleon
and twice as strong as that which gave
her Egypt and the Soudan. Gen Sir
Redvers Butler has gone and already
the Boer bullets have sung a song of
desperate defiance.
That the next few weeks will be
marked by sharp fighting can almost
be taken for granted. That the result
will be for a time not too favorable to
the British is also to be admitted. The
main question is how long are HOSTILE
ties to last? Ultimate English victory
is almost assured by virtue of over
whelming strength.
A forecast of the length and nature
of the campaign should not be ventur-
ed without knowledge of an extraor-
binary circumstance communicated to
the Associated Press on most reliable
authority, hitherto not printed in Eng
land, namely, that Gen. Butler has gone
to take entire control of the South Afri-
can situation. He will be as absolute
as was Wellington and less hampered
than was Kitchener. Therefore, not
only the conduct of the war lies in his
discretion, but also virtually the future
Of all South Africa, and no prognosti-
cations are of any value without first
taking into consideration his personal
character for obstinacy and frankness,
traits responsible for the supremacy he
has attained.
Two months ago the secretary OF
state for war, the Marquis of Lans-
doWne, offered Butler command of the
projected army corps. Sir Redvers
gave a point blank refusal unless the
war Office would guarantee him between
sixty and seventy thousand men. lie
is quoted as having said on that occa-
sion: Il shall not be handed down in
history as another Sir George Cooley.
The reference was Of course to the
defeat at Majuba Hill. He also said
that if he were to go it must be on the
distinct understanding that he could
select his own staff and would be en-
tirely uninterfered with by the war Of
fee. His request regarding the staff,
it is said, was prompted by his sus-
picion that Lord Wolsley would at
tempt to pay off old scores by foisting
upon him staff officers antagonistic to
him. Lord Lansdowne demurred, but
the stronger man prevailed and Butler,
having gained all the points he coveted
accepted the supreme command. Prior
TO Lord Lansdowne's assent Gen. Bull
Ter freely expressed the opinion that
when he had driven the Beers into a
corner his hand might be stayed by
peace loving cabinet or well inten-
TONED war office-a condition of things
he could not tolerate, for, as he ex-
pressed it, his hand was mot one OF
those that once put to the plow releases
its grip"
1t appears that both the Queen and
the cabinet practically acquiesced in his
demand although of course, retaining
q nominal control scarcely worth the
name. Butler is pretty certain to cut
the wires behind him and to be out OF
touch with London at critical mo-
ments, for fear the cabinet might
change its mind
II IS this man. then, whom some of his
own officers do not hesitate TO cali brute.
however much they admire his determi-
nation, who holds he des my Of the Trans
vaal and the Orange Free State in his
hand. He knows the Beers and he hates
them. he has campaigned over the whole
present battle grounds and is above all. a
soldier from head 10 foot. AS soon as he
reaches South Africa he win inaugurate a
campaign of such aggressiveness as the
world has seldom seen, but which he be-
heves justihable by virtue of his own su-
perior force The sternest measures will
not be too stern for him and until the last
vestige Of Dutch power whether in the
TransvaaL the Orange Free State or the
Cape Colony is swept out. ne will not stay
his hand The idea is well Illustrated by
Sir Tenniel's cartoon In this weeks Punch.
representing John Bull saying: ,AS you
Will fight. you shall have it this time It's
a fight to the finish