Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-11
FEELING IN ENGLAND
What is Thought of the Situation in
South Africa.
PEOPLE OF IRELAND ARE LOYAL
Generous Contributions for the
Families of Soldiers.
NJ TIERS OF INTEREST
Correspondence of The Evening Star.

LONDON, November l, 1899.
Our British cousins began to crow too
soon over defeating the Boer farmers The
severe reverse at Ladysmith has had
SOLDERING effect. and very different feelings
exist in London today from the triumphant
notes sounded last week when Symons
dearly bought victory at Dundee was an
nounced
While no one makes any mistake as to
what the ultimate outcome will be. and
while one can truly sympathize with Brit
ish sentiment on the subject of the war,
yet our friends in England have made the
primary mistake of despising their enemy.
The lesson, however, that the British must
take to heart is that they have been out
Unanswered and outgeneraed by the
Transvaal farmers. Long official explana-
tons are at hand today, but no lengthy ex-
pie enough.
The British officers have not yet taken
sufficient accounts of Boer tactics. Twice
within ten days the Beers have pretended
to retreat and succeeded in deluding the
forces Immediately opposed to them. The
British gave chase to the retreating and
terror-stricken farmers, with the result
that they have been cut off from their main
bodies and gobbled up by the Beers. This
is what happened to the Irish Fusiliers at
Glencoe and to Whites left wing at Lady
smith. with the result that the Beers now
have some $500 prisoners. No one stands
more in need of the sympathy of his coun-
trymen than Sir George White, brave
officer who made himself a name by splen-
did gallantry in the advance from the
Kuram to Cabul under Sir Frederick Rob
erts, who afterward commanded in the
Burmese war, and who succeeded Lord
Roberts as commander-in-chief in India.
Whites Manly Stand.
The position of general under whose
command misfortunes happen is always
painful. and especially when this happens
after a long career of bravery and distinc
ton. Sir George White dsarms criticism
by his generous inculpation of himself,
which is significant chiefly as an indication
of his frame of mind, seeing that unless
and until his orders are disobeyed a gen.
eTal in command is in any case responsible
for the whole and every part of the cam
paign of which he has charge.
1t is needless to discuss the strategy
which resulted in the isolation and capture
of two regiments and a battery. One may
reasonably ask why was not the balloon
used that has been referred to in previous
accounts, and why, with five regiments of
cavalry at his disposal, there not a
better attempt to keep in touch with the
lost regiments. According to the received
reports what has happened is what invaria-
bly, has happened when Boer has beaten
Briton. Superior cunning has prevailed.
The Beers have outwitted and duped the
British, leading the main force on a Wild
goose chase, which resulted in nothing,
while the main Boer force enveloped and
destroyed the weak British wing. The les
son has been a severe one, but one may
hope that the lesson has been learned. 1t
is humiliating to find a nation of farmers
beating soldiers at their own game. but the
sooner a proper respect is had for Boer
strategy and Boer tactics, the better for
British fortune in Natal. There is great
need for caution in lighting a people who
have a natural aptitude for deception and
who are quite fearless in war. That eau
ton. no doubt. seems 10 the professional
fighter somewhat beneath his dignity when
arrayed against a seedy old gentleman in
a billy-cock hat and a muffier. But that
caution must be learned. and soon.
His Best Chance.
The strength of the Beers in Natal is
estimated at $1,000, all but 10000 Of that
total being employed at Ladysmith. under
Gen. Joubert. The opinion of military ex-
perts is that Sir George Whites safety may
best be secured by Sitting tight" where he
is. 1t is suspected that by the capture of
the two regiments the Beers will have
been able to work round to Whites rear.
In that case retreat would be a desperate
expedent. 1t could only be achieved I'M
der the most extreme difficulty, seeing the
very heavy train Sir George would have to
carry, with his wounded, his guns, his am
munition and other supplies He could not
nope TO repeat the success of Gen. Yule,
who only escaped from Dundee by leaving
his wounded, sixty days provisions and the
kits of his
1t is therefore assumed that Sir George
will sit tight at Ladysmith, even If he be
completely invested, knowing that he will
only have to hold out twelve or fourteen
days before the head of the relieving COL
umn appears. Efforts will. however. be
made to strengthen his position If it be
possible to reach him the cruiser Powerful
will send up another naval detachment,
with big guns. The detachment which did
such timely service yesterday was the re-
suit of the PoWerfuls timely arrival at
Durham to convey the Boer prisoners to a
hulk fitted up for their reception at Cape
Town. Before leaving Cape Town the Pow
erful had sent a strong section to Join the
naval brigade of a thousand men which
has been sent along the line of railway to-
ward Kimberley.
Hnmpered by NOn-COmbatantn.
An important factor in estimating the
risks attendant on the holding of Lady
smith against the shell fire of the Beers is
the degree to which the general Is still
hampered by the presence of a non-com-
blatant population in the town Judging
from the casual references of the war cor
respondents to this point there had been
no clearance of these incumbrances I'M To a
few days ago; but understand from an in
quiry which was made at the war office
last evening that orders were issued some
days since for all women and children and
n-combatants generally. to leave I.ady-
smith. 1t is probable, therefore, that these
orders have either been carried out or are
in process of execution. In that case one
grave cause for anxiety will have been re-
moved.
The war balloon at Ladysmith, mistake,
by friendly Kaffirs for a white mans deity
seems to have inspired them with a fearful
JOY 1t will be remembered that unfrfend-
ly kaffirs were equally dismayed in the
Zulu war by the bagpipes. The speech is
recalled of one old warrior when all was
over: White man carry his god under his
arm; pinch him, and then he squeaI for
black mans blood. Very bad THAR
Irish Are Loyal
The loyalty of Ireland has been called
In question. owing to the position taken m
by the irish members in parliament Ry
the evidence of things seen however, it il
clear that the Irish people are in this crisis
showing themselves far more loyal to the
empire than their leaders. 1t may be cor
rectly assumed that resolutions In favor of
the Beers which have been passed by coun-
ty councils and district councils do not
represent the real feelings of the people
but only the sentiments of those who sup
port the Irish commoners. Two points
tell to the contrary. One is that in the
l. It'll