The record-union., 1899-11-01
Comment Of London journals on the
British Defeat.
Morning Papers In the Dark as to How the
Disaster Occurred.
General Opinion That the Misuse
Of the Cavalry Was the Real
Reason for the Fall Of the Brit
ish Forces Into the Boer Trap.

LONDON, Nov. LIN the absence OF
news, the morning papers are reduced
to speculation as to how the South
African disaster occurred. The general
opinion is that a 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 st4.A greater
umn the Beers also had the Devonshire
Regiment practically at their mercy,
and a little more daring would have
made a bad business much worse,
and, seeing that a force strong enough
to scoop up a couple of infantry bat
talions could have put itself practically
between Sir George White and his
corps, we may be very thankful that
things to-day are net more serious than
they are. The lesson has been a Sc
we're one. 1t is humiliating to find a
nation Of farmers beating soldiers at
their own game, but the sooner a prop
er respect is had for Boer strategy and
tactics, the better for our fortune in
Natal"
This SOLDERING note is struck by all
the morning papers to-day, together
with the expressions of determination
to carry the matter through at what
ever 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 be 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 which the memory
of Majuba fades away. The empire is
face to face with a repulse comparable
only to the surrender of Burgoyne TO
the embattled farmers of our American
colonies. If the catastrophe calls forth
something better than music hall patri-
otism we may come to reckon it as
timely lesson we'll earned for the good
of our SOULS
The Daily News says: ''If it is found
possible to move the stores, Sir George
draw upon Colenso. If the order is not
given it will be because a removal of
the stores would be too risky"
The Morning Post" calls attention 10
Sir General Whites use of the word
"capitulation,' saying that it suspects
that the word used was careless. It
says: I'VE prefer to assume that the
columns unit was cut to pieces and
all the ammunition was gone. Capitu-
lation is word of shame. Troops in
the field cannot capitulate without dis
grace, and disaster is not necessarily
dishonor."
The Times says: I'VE have met
with a considerable reverse. 1t is for
the nation to show that it can bear
ill-fortune with courage and dignity
There is no general desire evinced
on the part of the morning papers to
criticise Sir George White harshly.
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
in consequence of the British rebuff.
In Paris every means of spreading the
news was utilized. Some of the more
dignified papers adopted a respectful
and sympathetic tone, but the major
ity were overjoyed. The editor of the
'Patrie" hung the Transvaal and Or
ange Free State flags out of the office
windows. The "Presse' predicts a gen.
eral revolt of the Dutch population in
South Africa. The "Soir" hints its re-
gret that France did not adopt differ
ent attitude during the Fashoda crisis.
The Courier de Soir' thinks the Con.
tinental Powers will propose arbitra-
ton. Yvos, Guiot in the "Seyct," is
almost alone in supporting the British
against the Beers.