New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
ENGLISH FORTITUDE IN THE FACE OF
DISASTER.
FAITH IN THE ARMY PRoCLAIMED-Poss1-
BILE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE-LITTLE
SOCIAL ACTIVITY.
tnY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE ]


tbY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London Dec 1G.-The spirit of overconfidence
in which England entered into the war with the
South African Dutch has given place to stark
naked humility. with a stiff backbone behind
IT Always critical and dogmatic in their judg
ments of foreign nations. especially their own
kinsmen in America the English relentless
in probing their own weaknesses and shortcom-
ings in crisis like the present one. Two
months ago they considered the Boer military
resources unpricked bubble, and gossped
idly about a holiday march through the two
Dutch republics, explaining that while there
would be little glory in the conquest of two
feeble countries, the presence of an army corps
was necessary precaution in order to prevent
a Russian sortie into Persia or a French intrigue
OF some kind in the Mediterranean.
The evil tidngs Of Buffers reverse have COM
pleted a weeks record Of unexampled disaster.
England is camoring for the dispatch of three
more divisions. and the Hotspurs are shrieking
for one hundred thousand troops in addition to
General Warrens force, now aloat. and the
Sixth Division that is starting to-day. There is
a general conviction that the country has en-
tered upon conflict OF tremendous magnitude,
in which the bow of Ulysses must not be left
unstrung. The fighting resources of the enemy
magnifed, and more than justice is
done to Dutch prowess and aptitude for war;
the truth is burted out that not only Carleton's
battalons, Gatacres column the Highland
Brigade and Buffers army. but the War Office,
the Cabinet and the nation as we'll have been
entrapped in ambuscade.
The English do not spare themselves in their
own searching criticism Of their boastfulness
and lack OF judgment at the outset and the
- tl,a apti adj p6
against a crafty and resourceful enemy, but
their hearts are also hardened by infexible grit.
and there is an unninching determination to re-
trieve every blunder and carry the campaign
through with energy and cumulative force.
Nothing could be finer than the patient fOrtitude
with which one disaster has been borne after
another, and. even this dull, raw morning.
when England has awakened 10 the cold, stern
reality that Butler too, has failed in his well
planned attack. and that his artillery has been
surprised and captured. there are no signs OF
finchng and faith in the generals, the soldiers
and the nations resources remains unshaken.
Two facts are now clearly perceived even by
the dullest commentator upon the disasters OF
the week: England is in danger Of being re-
duced to the status Of second-rate Power II
she loses this fight In South Africa, and Russia
and France now have full opportunity for raid
ing in Asia and intriguing In Northern Africa
Glasses and masses alike sobered by the
consciousness that battle not for paramount
authority In South Africa alone, but for the
maintenance of the unity Of T. empire is In
nroeress The triumph u the butch in South
Africa will be followed inevitably by disanec-
tion in India and the development Of separatist
tendencies in other portions Of England's world
wide empire. The benefcent work Of two CEN
nd
arded by failure I'm South Africa. John Bull
stunned as he is by the disasters Of the week.
has NOT lost either his presence Of mind or his
courage. he stands by his generals and his men
and is prepared to send another army Of loOooo
troops. II necessary for the defence OF the en-
pire.
In this darkest hour England treasures every
word Of sympathy which comes from America.
and also values Alright Lord Salisburys states
manlike service in establishing friendly rela-
tions with Germany II Russia holds back her
raiders from Herat and Persia, and France neg
lects 10 take advantage Of the opportunity Tor
retaliating by Mediterranean intrigue for the
loss Of Egypt IL will be because Germany STANDS
on guard and has interests I'm Asia Minor ana
the Fuphrates Valley which are bound up with
the maintenance Of British prestige. The SKY Is
overcast with black stormclouds but there Is at
least one glimpse of silver lining IL Is the
revelation Of the common interests OF the Anglo
Saxon and Teutonic races, which hold the des-
TIMES Of civilization in the hollow Of their hands
Lord Salisbury has been harassed with fresh
,or,ilv anxieties since the death of the Mar
cbtoness His daughter-in-law, Lady Gran
bourne has been dangerously III for the last
fortnight at her Grafton-st. residence.
sad leavetakings continue from week to week
ne one division after another is ordered TO South
Africa. oficered by the best blood in England.
Among the mothers who parting this week
from, their sons are Lady Edward Churchill.
Iadv Filmer. Lady Chesham and Lady Lecon-
Ae1d Wives Of distinguished officers who had
MANNED going out to the Cape TO be near their
husbands have been strongly advised to remain
In England Lady Dundonald. Mrs. Neeld, Mrs.
Ellison and many more have decided to stay at
home where they can receive private dispatches
and War Office bulletins with less delay than AT
Cane Town which Is sometimes thirty-sM hours
behind London in trustworthy news. Lord ana
LADY Tweedmouth are bent upon going to the
Cane after Christmas. Many officers wives are
.,,tro ene work as nurses at Pietermaritzburg
and other hospitals Lady Henry Bentinck ana
Mrs Bagot will establish ambulance camp on
the veldt as soon as they arrive in South AFRICA
Princess Christians ambulance train, the PIN
cess Of Waless hospital ship and the American
bospitai ship Maine are war charities which VIII
be in practical operation within FEW weeks
Work on the Maine is not yet finished but the .
Dpke Of Connaught will present the queens
flag TO the ship this afternoon in the presence /
~ the executive and general committees.
There is little entertaining done In the west
End this winter and the number OF mouse
narties in the country is small. Meagre prepara-
tions are being made for holiday theatricals'
Miss Murle Wilson will be among the amateurs
in the theatrcals al Chats"orth ana a' i|'i'
Alington's The fashionable restaurants arc
well patronized. and there are many theatre
parties but even the smhr'es' sets s"a''', "'s"'
lv to the music halls to see military bograph F
nctures and q ballet with soldiers In scarlet
i,or,os ~ N hear Scotch and Irish war songs