The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-02

ton with which he hammered away at the
serrated breastwork OF the stony hills,
behind which the investing force was
entrenched. Tho siege Of Ladysmith
will not be an episode in British military
annals which can be looked back upon
with unalloyed satisfaction. but In
one respect there was no failure.
The British soldiers and their
colonial auxiliaries proved worthy Of the
best traditions Of the army. The stern
consistency with which the garrison
held out against oil the de-
pressing influences Of the siege was
equalled by the splendid g~allantry with
which the relieving column. foiled again
and again, still returned to the assault.
The Standard takes a sanguine view OF the
future campaign which, it declares, looks
altogether hopeful, but II does not think
that the time has come to relax the efforts
to amply reinforce the Generals.
The Telegraph says that never since the
delivery OF Lucknow has the Empire boer
50 thrilled to its Utmost soul by
splendid pride and strange pathos
over any event as by the relieI
Of Ladysmith. England had never known
a more bitter thought than that the
difficulties obstructing its relief might
prove %insuperable, as they were I'm
paralleled, and that after the
terrible sacrifices on the part Of the garri.
son all might be lost. But the houl
OF change from gloom to gladness
is as swift and as radiant as the
dispersal OF the mist by the magic Of
morning. The enemy is foiled at every
point, and Is broken right. left and centre
upon the first line Of war. 1t Is at such
moments that an earnest people lifts its
soul to God.
The paper heartily co~ngratulates Gen
Butler, who, it says. has not only achieved
the hardest task ever set for any English
General since the Peninsula struggle. but
has successfully %grappled with difficulties
IA immense as were ever s%urmounted In the
history Of war.
The Chronicle says that n salient point
stands out beyond anything else. thai
is that the spot 80 long dominated
by the Beers knows their dom
ination no more. That will give
the British cause to rejoice for the mo-
ment. but tomorrow they will betakt
themselves again to tho business
OF the campaign. There are hard
ships to be borne and battles to be
won, probably as numerous as any that
have gone before. Still, an impression has
certainly been made upon the enemy's
defence, and the moral effects OF Gen,
Roberts's victory and the browning mercy
at Ladysmith are sure TO be at least as
great as their physical effect.
The Graphic declares that the story
Of the siege and relief OF Ladysmith
will rank as a fine page in British
history. Gen. Whites firm stand
and Gen. Buffers unquenchable
pluck have shown the world that the Brit.
ish soldier has not fallen q whit from the
glorious traditions which it Is his
business to maintain. 1t adds that
1t is perhaps vain to hope
that the triumphs OF the last week will.
bring In their train speedy peace, but one
OF their results is to give the Brit,
ish a much freer hand, and, il
consistently with the interests Of
the Empire, that hand can hold out an olive
branch to the misguided Beers, the valor
OF the British soldiers win have produced
its noblest fruit.
The military critic Of the Morning Pos,
concurs with other critics that sub
sequent happenings have proved that
Gen. Buffers seizure on Majuba
Day Of the Beers commanding
positions at Peters was a decisive victory,
which involved the retreat OF the invaders.
He says it Is in no wise in
war for the victors not to fully realize
either the fact or nature OF their sue.
ccss until It Is made plain by the
enemy's retreat. He sees no reason to
doubt that the chapter Of British reversea
is ended and goes 50 far as to say that he
would be a bold stratcgist who could now
offer the Boer leaders a plan Of campaign
promising ultimate success.
BOER LEGATION DISAPPOINTED.