Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-31
Magazine Discussion Of the Brit
ish-Boer Conflict,
VIEW OF NOTABLE PERSONS
Opinions Expressed are Weighted
Heavily by Personal sympathy
of the Writers.

New York, Jan. 3l.-Montagu White,
who was consul general Of the South
African Republic in London until the
outbreak Of the war, contributes an
article to the February North American
Review on the South African war The
circumstances commonly held to be re-
sponslbe for the present situation he
merely glances at. Among these, he
points to the discomfort OF the British
element In johannesburg, the clumsy
diplomacy Of Mr.. Chamberlain, the ac-
tivity Of Mr.. Rhodes, whom he describes
as "a disappointed capitalist politician
who had ruined his career as a states
man by an act Of mad folly, and who
was burning to be revenged on those
whom he had bitterly wronged."
There We're three immensely powerful
but unavowed forces, namely, greed Of
gold, lust OF empire and thirst for re-
venge.
Mr.. White devotes very particular at
tentlon TO one influence which has
commonly been overlooked, namely the
growth Of personal rule as embodied In
the high commissioner OF South Africa,
Mr.. White is especially severe on the
present high commissioner, Sir Alfred
Miner. and charges him with having
systematically utilized every force and
opportunity TO bring about the present
disastrous war, HIS expressed object be-
ing. according to Mr. White, to break
the power OF Afrikanderdom,"
In the February number OF the North
American Review the Transvaal war
Is discussed by Lieut. Gen. John +.
owen, Of the Royal artillery BRITISH;
Captain Fritz Hoenig, Of the German
army (retired); Major General o. o.
Howard, u. S A. (retlred) Henry Gust,
formerly editor Of the Pail Mall Ga
zette. and DR.. J. c. Weight author Of
Fifty Years OF the Republic in South
Africa"
General owen says that 1.-THE Boer
strategy has been excellent" and that
in military Intelligence they have
shown first rate organization. They
have taught us a lesson In the use Of
heavy guns OF position, which they
move with comparative rapidity In the
field. Rapid firing guns Of small calibre
Of most recent pattern are largely used.
often with terrible effect. Their artil-
lery has been well handled, mostly by
their mercenaries. but the ammunition
used has been very defective"
Speaking Of the British strategy. Gem
eral owen says that II Is difficult TO
judge OF Il without knowing the exact
reasons debating departure from the
original plan, but II seems 10 him that
Il would have been better to have car
ried out the first plan az all costs.
though one army corps would not have
sufiiced. The intelligence department, he
says has not been successful.
Capt. Hoenig takes the view that
"England's first mistake consisted in
the fact that her political and military
action. which were evidently both in
tended TO bear an offensive character.
aid not keep pace with each other"
Captain Hoeing estimates the Boer
forces OF mot far short OF sixty thous-
and men" and he figures that the
English forces In the field must at the
very least reach total Of 10000 men
n England Is 10 drive back her antag-
onlsts by force OF arms and dictate
peace at Pretoria. In addition 10 this
large force, about forty thousand men
viii be required In Natal and In Cape
Colony for minor eventuallties as well
as for the protection Of the railway
lines. etc"
Gen. Howard briefly reviews the
campaign M to the time OF Gen. Bull
ler's first attempt 10 cross the Tugela
River. Viewing the situation as II then
stood. he says Lord Roberts must
choose one OF three lines OF advance
so soon as he has enough men 70 work
out decisive movement. Dwelling up
on on the military problems before the
new commander.in-chief OF the British
forces In South Africa. So says.
"Will he take the Durham line? n
Is the shortest, but Il is intrlnsically