The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-05
General White Blamed and Defended by
Two Factions of Public Opinion.
GRIEyING OVER LACK OF PREPARATION
Troops Should Have Been Rushed TO Transvaa SOOner-Much
Criticism Of Military Mobilization Methods

LONDON. Nov, l. copyrighted, 1899
by the Associated Press).-Almost tbs
only subject Of discussion this week il
England was the disastrous reverse
suffered by General Sir George Stewart
White. the British commander at Lady
smith and this was made the occasion
for pouring out torrents Of criticism
and advice Public opinion seems fair
ly divided. one section bitterly blaming
the general commanding and the other
maintaining that he PROBABLY is not 50
much at fault as he made himself out.
The latter section, which includes
many service men and nearly all the
service publications. urges the with
holding OF definite criticism pending
more detailed accounts. The Naval and
Military Record, after expressing this
sentiment, sums up the situation as fol-
lows:
Considering the nature Of the coun-
try, the lamentabIe unpreparedness of
England and the unwillingness Of the
opposition to allow British regiment
to go to South Africa until President
Kruger's ultimatum was received, It is
almost surprising that We have been
able to hold our own so far. Not only
have the Beers themselves proved de-
termined fighters and splendid sharp
shooters, as we knew them to be, but
they have developed surprising military
and strategic qualities.
They have nearly surrounded every
garrison We hold. and have invariably |
occupied unassailable positions. fight
ing with great courage Against such
fighters our little force, left isolated
far from our base and without hope Of
relief for days to come, has not only
done splendid work, but has gained sue
cesses which We venture to believe no
other soldiers in the world, placed in
similar positions and in similar unfor-
tunate conditions could have achieved"
Although this may fairly be said to
conservative military opinion
It's reference to the action Of the oppo-
sition as preventing the sending Of
troops in good time is entirely erron- (
eous. Since the first news Of the Lady
smith disaster reached England there
has been storm gathering over the
head not Of Sir George White. but of
The secretary of state for war, the
Marquis of Lansdowne and this ema-
mates not 50 much from the opponents
If the government as from it's warmest
supporters.
Some OF the ablest of the latter have
10 hesitation in saying privately that
Utmost criminal neglect has been shown
n not sending at least 10000 more troops
before or by October 4. and that If
ord Lansdowne's hands were tied by
higher powers he ought to exculpate
himself beyond shadow Of suspicion.
The failure to send out troops enough
annot be charged to the opposition for
Iarliament was not lhen sitting. ri
here was any intention to hold Natal
t all costs an adequate force should be
ent out by October 4, when the excuse
hat such reinforcements might be TAX
n by The Boers as a menace no longer
eld good, as the Indian troops were
lready on the way.
Hearing these criticisms in unexpect-
] quarters, the correspondent Of the
ssoeiatei Press repeated them to
igh government official. While nom
,mmital regarding the failure to send
earlier, this official de- ,
ared that the broad lines Of policy af-
citing Natal had been much misunder-
ood.
I'VE are often asked" said he, why +
e sent Sir George Stewart White up
Ie neck Of the Natal unless we were
ire he could hold it. Considering the
emendous reinforcements now on the 4
ay to him 1t occurs to almost every h
'dy at first sight that he ought to have =
tired without risldng engagements; n
It 1t is forgotten what would happen n