The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-18

Press Approves the Action Taken by the
Government.
Special caoi. D,spatea to THE suS.


Government.
Special caoi. D,spatoa to TIVE suS
LONDON. Dec. 1S.-The press unanimously
praises the Governments new orders. The |
Daily Nail says: 1T Is the only really good |
news OF the past weary ten weeks. 1t IL now |
widely known that Sir Michael Hicks Beach. |
Chancellor OF the Exchequer. to whose |
parsmony much blame for the disasters 10 due. |
declined to grant the money necessary for the |
lrst preparations. Had Gen. Kitchener been |
at the head OF affairs he would have got the
money or resigned"
The Obsupsr's generally well-intormed
political editor yesterday suggested the
retirement OF Sir Michael Hck Beach. |
The Standard, commenting on the appoint
ment OF Field Marshal Lord Roberts and Cen
Lord Kitchener. says:
Tho appearance OF two such famous soldiers
will tend to reassurc the public mind and re-
store confidence in the capacity OF those at the
head OF affairs In South Africa. which has
been somewhat shaken.
Lord Roberts 10 a great strategist and Lord
Kitchener Is master In Just those arts OF
organization and administration that are
urgently needed"
The Telegraph Expresses the greatest satis-
faction over the appointments OF Lord Roberts
and Lord Kitchener. 1t says:
Every one realizes what Is at stake. Every
one is determined that all shall yet go Alright
1t enumerates the measures taken. saying:
Such Is the answer OF the United Kingdom
to untoward Incidents In South Africa
! and the sarcastic peans OF iubila-
| ton from those on tho Continent
who are already feastng their eyes on the
breakup Of the British empire and the ruin OF
| its military prestige. Let them wait little"
| The Times says: The action Of the Cabinet
will command the warm approval OF the British
people. Although Lord Roberts is ~ years
old he is In mind and body more vigorous than
| the average Of men twenty years his junior.
He Is younger now than Won Moltke when he
left Berlin to conduct the German armies to
| Paris"
The Tine, declares that Lord Roberts,
| name to the troops Is a sure omen OF victory.
The paper suggests Warren or Tucker as
/ likely to take commend on the western and
southern frontiers 1t concludes:
Whatever sacrifices we may be called upon
to make. whatever reverses We may have to
undergo. Wa know that in the long run Ing
land. II true to herself. cannot fail"
The DAILY Fecs praises the appointment OF
Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener. and takes
| the opportunity to lengthily criticise the pre-
vious shortcomings OF the government. II
counsel OF panic or a confession OF utter
J miscalcuation. What reflection on the
short sighted view OF those who looked
for promenade to Pretoria, ana what trio
ute. let US add. to the courage. mill
tary ability and resources OF the Dutch Re-
publics." The raper contrasts the Cow
ernments notification 70 the colonies
Of it's preference for mounted troops
with It's message TO them on Oct. 10. saying
In view Of the numbers already available.
infantry will be the most and cavalry the least
serviceable." Like the rest Of the papers II
concludes: I'VE mean TO soc this thing
through"
The Morning Post says: THE announcement
will be received with a sense Of relief through
out the Empire. The paper urges speed In
sending the troops TO South Africa ro'
gardess OF all cost, 1t declares: ANY
| Interruption OF sea transport would be
: fatal The Navy should at once, at any cost, be
r | brought TO state o, complete readlnes,
ing money. There has been too mucl
OF that slready." Meanwhile. It urge
that Gems. Mehuen and Gatacre ac
strictly on the defensive. and that Gen. War
ren's division go Immediately to Natal.
says: Better lose Kimberley and save White
g than rescue Kimberley whl!e losing White
! force and compromising Methuen's.'
Tho Posts military critic interprets Gen
a Methuen's action In terrifying his camp tn
u formation OF a. advanced base for the accumu
: !ati1n OF stores in view OF his independon
y communications being cut to the southwark.
The deepest sympathy Is universally OK
pressed for Lord Roberts. because OF the deaf
: OF his son. who would probably have had tn
Y Victoria Cross conferred on him for his at
: tempt to rescue the guns at Tugcla River.
u Reports from various quarters OF Can
Colony show that the Dutch population ar
: showing an increased tendency to disloyat,
D. In some places they are joining tn
J. Beers In large numbers The natives. both |
n Cape Colony and Basutoland. are restv,
o The news OF Gen. Gatacre's defeat was receive
=. with condemnation by the whites In Basutc
u land. but fortunately the natives. according
10 | n despatch from Maseru believe the ourrer
l. rumors that the Beers have been driven back