New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-17
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
ENGLAND's PRESTIGE UPHELD.
A CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS HER RECORD
~ AFRICA MEANS No loss

CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS HER RECORD
N AFRICA MEANS NO loss
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Walter Staunton, OF The Passing Throng,"
IS evidently one OF those people who mistake preju-
dice for judgment and hearsay for evidence TO
Judge from his comments the South African
your issue OF this date. That England was
Tnistaken-terriby mistaken-in the ability o: the
Beers 10 defend themselves against her army is
doubtless true: but her mistaken opinion shared
by the military authorities OF all nations, not ex-
cepting the United States. Disaster followed dis
aster, is also true the effect of each succeed
ing defeat simply to strengthen her determine
ZION push the battle the bitter end. But that
the prestige OF English has received a blow
that IL win take a full generation TO recover from
IS entirely variance with the facts Of the case
The is the truth. 1t has only served TO
demonstrate the unhinching bravery Of the English
soldier under adverse clrcumstan ces-and even
when matters we're their worst and the Cont
mental journals were sneering at the English gen
erals Of failed to accord full honor 10 the
proves and discipline OF Tommy Atkins
As TO the weary waiting for the end he has only
TO look at home for fitting parallel in that very
contest where we had struck out Spain in ls9S :
for will find that that war stl drags along ana
proba bly, will after KRUGER and Steyn prisoners
Of the British arms and peace is fully restored to
South Africa Lord Roberts has accomplished what
eminent military men in this country and Europe
after the development Of the Boer resources de-
clared TO he impossibility-
As To the statement that the Beers proved that
the English soldier was the equal. man for man.
of any soIdiery the world. ! would ask where
the proof was given? Was It at Ladysmith, where
again and again the Beers repulsed by an
inferior force? Was IL at Mafekng, when Baden
Powell defed them for months with mere hand
full OF starving soldiers? or does he mean Whei
they were hidden behind rocks and trenches in the
kopjes firing with Mauser rifles and sHokeless
powder at an unprotected force climbing steep
hill TO dislodge them from their position? FIVE 10
one IS the tair allowance made FOR such an attach
AS for the pessnisJiC outlook, Europe StdluS
amazed the ready response of the coIoihts. d
auy nation may well hesitate to throw down lne
tiers OF the world she draw soldiers VINO IN
South Africa beat the Beers TWO TO one as ulu TIE
Canadians and Australians more than once. e-.,.
And he has only to read the nTst column OF ll
page on which his interview appeared 10 ma ma
his countrymen are eager 10 accept El;slaii
bonds even though her credit may be strained.
the navy. a recent coHlpu ZION, DaSal4
not numbers tonnage, but on eHecllEtlieSS'
gives her a navy surprising those OF Russia france
and Germany combined. 49, -, 30
The fact is England was never better prepared
for war than she is to-day. because she mas oye'-
come her own stupidity and gone 10 war with
confessional" Let Nj Staunton read ms second
paragrsph again. and explain II ne meant tntl
England was stupid IN not kicking up a war Win
for exercise II were. For that IS what ! take
"a he the meaning OF his observation IN regard 10
The example OF Jeffries and McGovern But now
she has sea sOned sOldeTy trained corps oL gen
trsnsnOrrariOl CommiSsaTiat, hospitals. the sOoN-
will 81 her colonies; the prestige OF victory: an
efficient navy; plenty of money and unlimited cree.
n She has coal and cOaling stations an over IhT
would and sad the result the nation when stalI
challenge her 10 the dread arbtrament OF T5TI
Brooklyn Aug. :. 1900 T. n 1OiA'