The age-herald., 1900-12-17
THE BRITONS CALL KITCHENER A BRUTE Unexpected Reverse at MagiIIeS-
 berg Was a Shock THE WAR IS NOT NEAR OVER. MT. Lloyd George Says Dewet is Making England the Lansning Stock of the World-The Fighting
 Fifth" Causes Grief.
THE WAR IS NOT NEAR OVER

London December 16.-The astounding and utterly unexpected reverse of the British at Megaliesberg, the news of which was broken to the nation exactly one year after General Buffers defeat at Colenso. effectually disposes of any hope that the war in South Africa is nearly ended, and completely abated the myth that the op- erations there were merely of a guerrilla nature. As MT. Lloyd-George Q4iberaD said in the House of Commons today, "This is one of the most severe reverses suffered by the British, and 1t is quite evil dent the war will drag on for many months to come DeWet is making Eng land the laughing stock of the world We have 210000 men in the field yet we are unable to protect ourselves from disaster at the hands of small commanders drawn from a partoral population"
 The extent of the reverse and the dis grace of such large body of men surrend- ering to a small contingent of Boers has created feeling of shame and astonish- ment which finds free vent. With some what cruel coincidence the Northumber- lands are known as the Fighting Fifth"
 The second battalion, to which the cap tured companies belong, was one of the heaviest sufferers at Stormberg year ago. The regiment has often been pro- nounced by home and foreign critics to be one of the finest in the British army. All the forebodings and criticisms which Colen- so gave rise to a year ago have been resurrected by the disaster at Magalies- berg. The war office has nothing to do but to "grin and bear it." and trust to time. Until General Kitcheners forces are trans formed into mounted infantry and the mounted police get to work MT. Broderick sees little hope of improvement in the mill itary situation.
 Whoever was responsible for the surren- der at Magaliesberg is likely to suffer, for the new War Office officials are determined to make examples of generals or any other officers guilty of such gross mismanage- ment, or worse, which, 1t would seem, must have occurred at this last defeat.
 Scorn Not Decreased.
 This stern attitude on the part of the government however, by no means de- creases the scorn and ignominy with which certain of the liberal members of Parla- ment who are-avowedly pleased by the Boer successes are regarded by the major part of the community At pro-Boer meeting Friday at which Leonard Courtney pre- sided, General Kitchener's name was greet ed with cries of "Villain,' Butcher" Beast" while mention of Stein and De- wet elicited loud cheers.
 The Pail Mall Gazette today editorially declares that such men as Courtney, Byrne- Roberts and Lloyd-George ought to be in conventry and be not spoken to by any self-respecting Englishman The expedi- ent severe as it is, is likely to meet with approval in ali quarters, not excluding the moderate liberal journals.
 Sir Henry ampbell-Bannerman, the lib- eral leader in the House of Commons, does not escape criticism for tacitly permitting his alleged followers to take such an avow- edly anti-British attitude.
 In view of the events in South Africa it is scarcely surprising that the public re- fuses to be cajoled into taking a burning interest in the Nicaragua Canal, in spite of special American cable dispatches, which break the records for length and serious ness The London Times correspondent today makes a passionate comparison be- tween the present stage of affairs and that which existed at the time of the Venezue- la dispute and bitterly arraigns President Mckinley and the Senate, yet Lord Paunce- fote has not cabled a word to the Foreign Office, which only heard or the vote on the Davis amendment through the Asso- ciated Press.