Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-04
Disaster May Come as a Result Of
South African War,
EUROPE'S NATIONS WATCH.
WhiIc Britain Wnl Heat tie Beers,
There are uomentOns Events
20 Follow,

Now 0IhI AHs IA r-iDNiol W tHN
Herald from Washington says
That disaster threatens Great Britain
as result OF the waI In the Transvaai
b. ,he belief OF John w. Foster, Of In
diana, former secretary Of state
Mr. Foster has followed the military
operations n South Africa, making q
close study OF them. and at the same
time giving keen scrutiny 20 affairs Ia
Europe. To a reporter Mr. Foster sold'
ct Is much to be feared that England
is engaged in protracted and, 10 the
end, an alarmlngly costly enter
prise in her armed contention with the
Beers
1T Is 20 be anticipated that In the
end through the weight Of numbers
and superior resources England VIII
win. but that win boy no means er
the struggle. AZ the present rate prog
ress is not only slow, but every day 5
delay must Increase the difficulties of
the situation. from a military point or
view, and the same may be SAID Win
respect 90 "a solution by diplomacy
III has been the history of all such
struggles and England has been no eN-
cept.on. that the disturbance OF COM
morclal relations and other questions,
more or less involved very soon make
nations FESTIVE. There might be no de-
sire 90 Interfere on general principles,
but the Influence OF the financial In
dustrial and commercial interests often
compel governments 10 aet from econO-
mic considerations
"No one can tell what Is going on al
this very moment among the maritime
and military powers OF Europe At any
time there might Doe "a surprise They
surely cannot be looking ON, simply as
Indifferent spectators OF a possible DIFF
hcult international problem
"The transportation of the largest
army England has ever had In a single
thoatot of Warlke operations more than
half the distance between the two
poles OF the earth Is n Itself an eX-
peusive undertaking and a very difficult
one But this is the least element OF
consideration The supply and mainten-
ance Of such a large force in ;he field
over six thousand miles away from
home. in q region difficult of access and
with most Inadequate means Of trans
portation. Us @ problem 20 occupy ma
ture military minds.
"Then there Is the element OF waste
and destruction incident Jo an army In
the field and I'm action. This neceSsi-
tates constant replenshment an Of
which by an increasing ration adds TO
cost As a military enterprise the end
is evidently not IN sight.
But even II the fighting were ended.
there would he a disconnected people
20 keen In subsection which would roe
quire an expensive military establish
ment.
1.-THE experience Of the war thus far
has very effectually established the
prestige Of the Beers as fighters. They
may be able TO continue. II they DO for
a few months other developments are
not improbable. England. not perhaps.
exhausted but embarrassed by pro-
tracted demands upon her fighting ma
terlal IN men, supplies and munitions of
war, her army thousands OF miles
away. might find % difficult % head Of
foreign Interference by substantial
methods.
This might not be IN the nature Of
overt acts of military aggression or
diplomatic inquiry, but such a line up
III ANANNH Nn N'AA'A N" NAtAiANN VIZ 10 VIZ
gage.
"The navy Of England. Il is true. Is
free to act, but what would become OF
British commerce and commerce Grip
Piled. what would become OF British
manufactures, which signify Industry
and means of living? The time for
diplomatic settlement 10 the first stages
having passed. II Is difficult to see how
II cen come In now without great loss
OF prestige The British government
is naturally sensitive. Some decisive
action might open a way but that way
Is not now IN sight.
1.-THE United states would be the most
natural Intermediary. The leading Eu-
ropean nations have their spheres In
Africa For that reason any sugges-
lions from that quarter would be out
Of the question. In fact, have been
warned against
This war I'm such a remote quarter
Of the globe is a more momentous af-
fair than the casual observer supposes.
IL may result IN some very grave up
heavals In the worlds conditions, as we
now have them