The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-12
THREE DEFEATS IN A WEEK.

There is much in the news from South
Africa to cause the people of England I'M
easiness. The British forces, it is reported
have suffered three defeats in the vicinity
of Bloemfontein, Gen. Roberts headquart-
ers, within a week. An account of the last
one was given in our dispatches yesterday.
The British lost GOO killed and
wounded, and 900 prisoners. 1t looks "a if
the Beers were destroying Gen. Roberts
army by piecemeal. II would not take
many disasters like that reported from
Brandfort to make Gen Roberts think his
army was in serious danger. He has Co.
900 men with him, cooped up in Bloemfon-
TEN, and the understanding is that the
Beers have only 1900. But does it not
seem strange that with their small force
the Beers are able 10 accomplish so much?
1t is doubtful if they are able 10 put in the
field more than $1,000 men. In fact the e
seems to be ground for saying that at no
time have they had that number in the
field. And yet they seem TO be able 10
guard every point and TO harass the Brit
ish all along the latters lines.
Is it because they are able to move
from points much more rapidly than the
British that they accomplish so much
with their smaller numbers. or is it
that they are better soldiers and are bet
ter led? Whatever the truth is, it is Ger
tain that it is time for Gen. Roberts 10
seriously consider whether his present
large force will be sufficient to enable him
TO bring the war to a successful close.
Il fc ha
joiciugs of the British over the capture of
Gen. Cronje and his small army of
1900 men, was premature. They assumed
that the war was practically over. Re
cent happenings seem to indicate that 1t
was then only beginning.
1t is certain that Gen. Roberts will rot
move on Pretoria at once. II may Re quite
awhile before he is ready to start Just
now he is having all he can do to keep the
Beers from cutting his communica ions
and capturing the detachments of troops
| sent on special service a short distance
from his camp.
month ago it was the underst anding
that the entire Free State was free of the
Beers. Now 1t is admitted that they have
regained possession of a large portion of
Free State territory, and the Free State
burghers, who had about abandoned the
| contest and were returning to their homes,
are again flocking to the standard of
President Kruger.
The situation for the British is becom-
ing more complicated all the time. There
is a growing pro-Boer sentiment in this
country and in all of the continental coun-
tries of Europe. Even in England there
are frequent attempts to hold meetings 70
express sympathy with the Beers. Unless
success attends the British army very
soon not only will the danger of an upris-
ing in the British South African posses
Sions greatly increase, but some one or
more of the Powers may take steps TO in
tervene in the war with the purpose Of
bringing ii to an end
In the meantime Gen. Roberts is wait
ing at Bloemfontein for horses for his
cavalry and supply trains, and for winter
clothing for his troops. The British hoped
| to end the war before the arrival of win
ter, but now a winter campaign is regard
ed as certain.