Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-16
A Fad Week for Great Britain.

Stormberg. Mayer fontein. Tugela-Gat-
acre Methuen Butler. Three times in one
week the British armies have been de-
feated. with great loss. Each reverse was
a shock for the British public. and indeed
the world at large. had been looking for a
British victory in those places where mis-
fortune befell the arms of England. CAT
acre had withheld his advance long that
it was believed he would press back the OPP
posing Beers. Methuen had already de-
feated the enemy at Modder's river and
carried his army across. Butler was
known to have concentrated large force
and to have restrained his advance until a
seemingly favorable moment. One after
another they struck the burghers. but only
to be repulsed. After the first two re-
verses the British public pinned high hopes
on Butler. the ideal soldier. the brave COM
petent commander known to be resource
fui and intrepid. He was expected to re-
trieve the British fortunes. so seriously
meraced.
But Butler too. has learned the lesson
which the Beers are now teaching the
British commanders. that in modern war
fare the forces behind Entertainments,
lighting upon their own soil. and satisfied
with a purely defensive campaign. has
great advantage. which requires a very
heavy prep6nderance of men and guns to
overcome The circumstances of the three
fights differ materially, but the principle
involved is the same in each case. The
Beers are in their present position impreg-
nable. They have secured an enormous
advantage by dividing the British columns
and forcing the invaders to hasten their
advance in order to relieve threatened CEN
tiers. Just Row far this situation is for
tuitous is not yet to be ascertained. IT,
however, it should prove to have been the
result of a preconceived plan. its results
marks its designer as one of the greatest
military geniuses of all time.
Now that the hope of an immediate VIC
tory by Butler has been shattered. and the
British forces in South Africa. in all three
divisions. are held back soiidly by the
Beers the question before the English GOV
ernrnent is whether there shall be such a
Strengthening of these armies that an ad-
vance can be ordered with assurance of
success There seems to be no doubt what
ever. as, far as the news dispatches have
thus far indicated. that the governments
answer will be in the affirmative and its ac-
ton immediate. Pending the arrival of addi-
uonai troops from the reserves and perhaps
the volunteers. there may be change in
mediate object of the British advance has
been the relief of Ladysmith and Kimber-
ley; with Gen. Gatacre operating smuIta-
neous}y in the south to prevent too serious
spread of disloyalty. among the Cape
calonists It is possible, that with the new
revelations as to the strength and capacity
OF the Beers there will be consolidation
OF the British forces away from the lines
Leading to. the beleaguered cities, in the
nope of striking an offensive blow on the
enemy's own territory.
mus FAR there has been no fighting what
ever on the Beers own ground In conse-
quence many weakened British subjects
are being strongly tempted in their al
legiance- There are grave fears of an M
rising in Cape Colony. which would soreIv
tax the resources of the British and per-
haps lead to embarrassing and compIicating
developments. bold stroke at the Beers
weakest point by a consolidated army. it is
believed by some, would tend to offset this
influence and restore the British prestige
which has waned lately at an appalling
rate.
Taken altogether. it is doubtful whether
Great Britain has ever known week so
filled with disaster. distress and danger