The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-10
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1900.


account OF the military conditions 1t Pre-
sents, although they are serious enough, a
because of its effect upon the opinions anC
perhaps the action CT other nations. The
world ROW realizes that it jumped to {
wrong conclusion in assuming that the easy
capture OF Bloemfontein by Lord Roberts
meant practically an end to the war, with
a triumphal British march from the Free
State Capital to that Of the Transyaal, as
the only intervening term. Far from such
thing being in sight, the question Cow is
not whether Pretoria is 10 be occupied BY
the 18th Of May, but whether Roberts will
not be compelled 20 fall back, in view OF
the Boer operation on his tanks and rear
Perhaps we ought TO make military al
lowarces for a people who, in modern
times. have never before made war upon {
civilized foe, uHsided. It may he very easy
10 DO so from an academic standpoint. But
when it comes down 10 the concrete. there
IS no more immutable law ttan that States,
like individuals, must take the ccnse-
quences OF their mistakes and sins and
ignorance.
The war in South Africa is SIX months
old. Up to the tine when Lord Ro.erts
hanked General CTonje ct Jaeobsdal and
relieved Kimberley, its history was one of
almost undertaking British bluGGer and
failure, and of Beer success We have so
often recited the story OF British unpre-
psredress; of War Office ignorance of en-
eny's resources, armament or equipment,
and CT the ordinary methods of mcli liza
ton. supply. and maintenance in use by the
Continental powers, that ii would he SUI
perluous again TO so over the ground. One
would think that the bitter exper. encs Of
the lrst campaign, ending at Sricn ken
and Modder River, would have forced sore
degree of wisdom into the heads OF the
Queens headquarters men in London. but
the contrary seems to be the case. When
Roberts captured Cronje's Insignificant
remnant at Paardeterg and Occupied
Biocmfcrtein, all England thanked its for
tunate stsrs-on the collar of "Bobs' -
that Boer resistance was finished. and that
a new ard happy era OF cakes and ale had
dswned. The purchase of cattle abroad
was suspended, and the United Kingdom
settled Itself down to watch the Qua ds
walking into kruger's stronghold to the
strains OF the latest music hall ditty.
1t does net seem to ve-occurred to
~ with the occupation Of Bloemfontein. the
South African winter began, and that any
movement northward in the daily ircreas-
ing cold, rain, sleet. and snow OF the sea-
sen must be delayed until warm clothing
could be secured for the troops. Neither
does the quartermaster's department ap-
pear to have realized that the cavalry
would be dependent for future operations
upon the prompt supply of remounts. So
there Lord Roberts is, fought 10 stand
still for lack of clothes and horses; while
the Beers, taking advantage of his un-
favorable situation, swarm back en- his
TANKS and rear, and threaten the COM
u,unications upon which alone he must de-
pend for the supplies that would enable
him to move Gatacre has been forced to
retire from Rediersburg, Brabant has been
summoned to surrender at Wepener the
Rockville garrison has had hard marching
and fighting to escape south Of the Orange
with an attack cn his flank by the Help
maker Road. the Swazis are on the war
Path and the Basutos seem all but GER
tain to take It. What are the nations of
Europe TO think of all this as the net re-
suit of half a year OF war by nominally
the greatest Empire of the day. against
two little isolated African States, who,
unitedly, cannot command more than fifty
thousand flghting men, and who. according
10 Cecil Rhodes. have never had 10 exceed
thirty thousand in the field?
1t IS TO be apprehendsd that what they
win think will be neither agreeable to
British pride nor contributory to British
interests. Indeed it may be predicted
with confidence that the day is not far
distant, unless the imperial prestige is
quickly restored, when Europe viii begin
10 hint that It has been complacent and
neutral 10 the limit, and that it does not
propose to give Great Britain the duration
OF eternity in which to defeat handful
of Afrikander colonists. with a force OF
two hundred thousand men. A halt will
have to be called some time. Other coun-
tries may De hfsiinH enough 10 see INC
British Government consolidate. its power
in South Africa by the subjugation of the
two Republics They are not equally
willing that the efforts should go on indie
nnitely without conclusion. There is a
high state reason for such sentiment,
irrespective of friendship or unfriendship
for Great Britain. Incorsequental prolon-
cation OF the struggle is adverse to the
peace Of the world. Other small and re-
mote communities, observing the ease
with which few Beers are able to stand
OFF and punish the biggest army England
has ever mustered, may acquire the no
tion that other European armies are no
better. and that they might as well take
the chances Of war for independence.
On the reasoning We have presented as
being naturally suggested by the logic OF
the situation. Il would seem to be an i'm
minent probability that some movement
In the direction of interference will ma
teriaiize without much further delay; or,
that there will be developments OF an
other sort even more serious for Great
Britain. The truth cannot be ignored
that Europe has ceased to regard the
British a. q nation capable Of successful