The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-01
MISUSE OF CAVALRY.
That Is the Reason Given for the British
Reverse.

Reverse.
London, Nov. lin the absence of
news the morning papers are reduced
to speculation as TO how the disaster
occurred. The general opinion Is that
the misuse of the cavalry was the real
| reason for the fall into the Boer trap.
Apparently there was no cavalry to
watch over the safety Of the missing
column.
The Morning Post pointing out how
near the British were to "a still great
er disaster says: IN capturing the
column the Beers also had the Devon
shire regiment practically at their
mercy, and little more daring would
have made a bad business much
worse. Seeing that force strong
enough to scoop up couple of infan-
try battalions could have put itself
practically between Sir George White
and his camp, we may be very thank
serious than they are. The lesson has
been a severe one. 1t is humiliating
to find nation of farmers beating SOL
diers at their own game, but the scon-
er a proper respect is had for Boer
strategy and tactics, the better for our
fortunes in Natal"
This sobering note is struck by all the
morning papers to-day, together with
the expressions of a determination to
carry the matter through at whatever
cost.
The Daily Chronicle. referring edi-
torially to the situation says: After
the patent failure of the campaign and
the terrible humiliation of the British
army we can only vaguely hope that
Sir George White, in the hard days
that lie before him, may be able to
hold Ladysmith. Retreat would bs
an undertaking which the imagination
fails to grasp. If this war is to be
a war of vengeance, we shall have to
wipe out a disaster before the mem
ory of Majuba fades away. The en-
pire is face to face with repulse
comparable only to the surrender of
Burgoyne to the embattled farmers of
our American colonies. If the catas-
trophe calls forth something better
than music hall patriotism, we may
come to reckon it as a timely lesson
well learned for the good of our souls
found possible to move the stores Sir
George White will probably be ordered
to withdraw upon Colenso. II the or
der is not given it will be because a
removal of the stores would be too
risky
The Morning Post calls attention to
Sir George Whites use Of the word
capitalization" renrarking that it sus-
poets the word was used carelessly. It
says:
we prefer 10 assume tuEL iHS COL
umn fought until it was cut to piecel
and all the ammunition was gone. Cap
itulation is word of shame. Troops
in the field cannot cap!tulate without
disgrace and disaster. if not necessaE-
lily dishonor."
The Times says: I'VE have met with
a considerable reverse. 1t is for the
nation to show that it can bear i'll for
tune with courage and dignity"
There is no general desire evinced
on the part of the morning papers TO
criticise Sir George White harsh,y,
pending the arrival of further details.
On the contrary, the disposition is to
admire his manly courage in assuming
full responsibility. Abroad, especially
in France, no pains is taken to disguise
the satisfaction felt in consequence OF
British rebuff. In Paris every means
of spreading the news was utilized.
Some of the more dignifed papers
adopted a respectful and sympathetic
tone, but the majority We're over1oyed.
The editor of the Patrie hung the
Transvaal and Orange Free State
flags out of the office windows. The
Presse predicts a general revolt of the
Dutch population in South Africa. The
Soir hints its regret that France did
not adopt a different attitude during
the Fashoda crisis. The Courier de
Soir thinks the continental powers will
propose arbitration.
Yvos Quot in the Seile is almost
alone in supporting Great Britain
against the Roers