The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-15
AN IMPORTANT WEEK INIHISTORY

7
The week just opening ought to become
one of the most memorable in the modern
history OF the world. certainly in that of
the British Empire. As Sunday seems a
favorite day for developments. perhaps
we should hear this morning of important
events in South Africa. However that
may be. ii is not hard to see that the situ-
alton in the United Kingdom yesterday was
decidedly blue, whatever it may have been
at the front.
War scandals OF one sort or another
follow on each others heels too fast 10
keep UP with them. Probably they are not
all well grounded: but one Of recent ven
tilation is perhaps deserving of attention.
although there may be not much in It,.
| Ii is asserted in London clubs and some
newspapers that there is a condition of
i'll feeling and bad blood between the
commander in-chicf and most of the field
generals, and even worse one among
the latter. Without bothering about de-
| tails this. IL true is sadly discouragIng
to British hopes. People who have read
| the history of the American civil war
| with care will remember what evil con-
sequences followed the envies, jealousies,
and quarrels of generals, often resulting
I in the loss of battles. in unnecessary fail
/ ures and repulses. and frequently in
useless and terrible sacrifice of life II
/ like chickering's are TO mark the relations
of the higher British officers during the
remainder of the South African war, the
Lord help their unfortunate subordinates
and men,
There is one thing that England feels
acutely and with enraged humiliation. 1t
is that unless the movement OF Sir Red
vers Butler to relieve Ladysmith should
succeed. the chances are that Russia and
France will throw off the mask. and cease
TO appear as friendly spectators. even to
the extent they have so far The moblli
cation of seventy five Russian troops near
the Afghan frontier. the round about di
plomatic announcement that the Gar has
recognized the paramOuntcy OF French in
fuence in Asiatic Turkey, and that the
same recognition has been accorded by
France to Russia in European Turkey all
point to the probability OF inimical con-
tinen;sl action, in case the military sit
uation in South Africa should become
much more unfayorable to Great Britain
than ii is at present. The British pub
lie may be slow TO realize many things,
but it's eyes are fully open now to the
fact that the prestige of the empire for
conducting land wars has been blasted,
that its army is held in contempt on
the Continent, and that unless Butler
or Kitchener. or some one can make a
new and better record. the frontiers of
India and the Nile Valley are not to
be thought of without anxiety and dis
NAL apprehension.
Even Buffers turning movement is more /
or less criticised at home as one dictated /
by ministerial desperation, rather than by T
any idea the field general has bad of its .
feasibility. But this view does not jibe !
with the facts and probabilities. As nearly I
as one can judge at this distance. the at (
tempt TO flank JOubert's right has been I
incubating for some time. Butler must /
have decided upon II Immediately after the 4
unfortunate affair OF Coleuso or he would /
hardly have concentrated Warrens division /
at Estcourt and done other things reported /
So. whether it is TO succeed or fail. the I
turn seems TO have been carefully planned. /
and very likely may have appeared as the |
only movement possible in the circum-
stances.
II the adventure has been regarded by /
military writer's in London and on this side /
as the obvious next step of the British /
general. 1t cannot be conceived that its
probability would have escaped the watch
full intelligence OF General Joubert There /
fore. it is fair deduction that he must
have provided for the contingency in some
way. But when il comes TO theorizing about
Boer forces, dispositions. or possible move
ments, the critics are all at sea. for no one
outside OF their lines seems TO have any
clear idea OF Joubert's or Cronje's nu-
merical strength. or of anything else use
full in forming the most general military
opinion. We assume on the strength OF
dOled out during the past six
weeks. that the investment Of Iadysmith
has been less complete and strong the
west and southwest than in other dlrec-
llOnN. " . nave dlHo dHSllIltu lElsiI dOubtEl |
would hesitate tc iengthen his line with
out more troops to hold it than he is sup
posed. but not known, to have. There has
been some indication that the Boer right
at Springfield was drawn in a week ago.
whether by way Of ruse or otherwise does
not, Of course. appear. Buffers ability
TO move around Springfield to Potgieter's
Drift without fighting. as far as We know,
looks as il Joubert was not in force l.
that neighborhoOd at the time. But wa
cannot be sure that he was not laying a
trap. and that he may not ere now have
his reason for not opposing
the turn at Springfield. 1t is impossible
10 believe that nothing has happened at
Drift or in front of the British
centre and right since Thursday. the date
If Buffers last published despatch Oug
ate London cablegrams this morning may
bring exciting news, or the censors at
Durham and Cape Town may keep il all
o themselves 1t will come at last. how
,ver. and We shall not have to wait long
or at least some OF it,
All Gone Hut Frye.
Qrom the Boston IlcraldD
some Of our exchanges appear to have The I'M
preston that Maine is To amount 10 a
in tfar fTffT It4tff