The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-29
THE BRITISH DEFEAT.

Dispatches from South Africa indi-
cate that the engagement at SpiOnk0p
was a genuine battle, that General
Warren surprised the enemy, which
rallied and returned to slaughter the
British in one of the bIoodiest fights
of recent times. The I3oer loss is, said
TO be comparatively slight. while ] 500
British soldiers were left on the field
and the rest sent pell NELL seeking
safety across the TGge;a river.
There is sorrow in England now, and
mourning in many a British home.
Aside from the merits Of this war, the
morality Of it, the humanity Of it, the
justice or the necessity of it-matts-s
with which soldiers have naught to do
these fallen heroes deserve a tear of
pity. and the loved ones who must wait
at home for them IN vain are entitled
TO the consolation and consideration of
mankind.
The soldiers did their duty. They
went to death in defense Of policies
they may or may not have endorsed.
Right or wrong. it was not for them
TO say. Worthy or unworthy. it was
not for them te discuss the object Of the
war Hazardous or not. they had to
undertake the mission. Sane or insane.
their generals had to be obeyed. The
soldiers were but fighting machines.
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die
IT must have been terrific crash
when these contending forces met. The
British had rushed the Beers from
their stronghold and taken possession
of the entertainments. With a despera-
ton that must forever silence criticism
of their courage and fighting ability,
the Beers recovered from the panic.
hurled themselves upon the British
army and drove it out by main
strength. it would seem.
We all know how relurt antiy the
British soldiers yielded. They repre-
sent an unconquerable race; they pos
sess an Undying valor; they were
spurred on by national pride: they
were fighting for life itself as retreat
was full Of dangers. But they had to
surrender their advantage; they were
forced to abandon the captured height:
they left almost two regiments lying on
the field and found it necessary to flee
across the river.
There is gloom in London The
people are patriotic. hut dfsheartened.
They are lisgUsted with the ministry
which is responsible for the war.
Changes in the cabinet are imminent
Serious trouble Is ahead Of the empire
These reveTses. these checks, these de-
feats, these results Of Unwisdom and
false reckoning, are having an influ-
enCe in international poll ticS that Eng
lish statesmen dread, q depressing eff
feet on commercial and financial af-
fairs that makes the people fearful and
fretful But criticisms. complaints and
changes cannot bring back to life the
sacrifices already claimed They may
prevent others, however, and the Eng
iish people never hesitate to demand a
change when they feel that the policies
pursued are wrong.
It is from the indirect results of this
Transvaal war that England viii suffer
most We in this country have learned
from bitter experience that indirect re-
suits are more distressing, far-reaching
and damaging than are the actual suf-
ferings caused upon the field of battle
In the name Of humanity there should
be peaceful intervention proposed. The
ultimate humiliation Of the Beers
should be averted. They have shown
themselves too pluclIy and able 10 take
care OF themselves 10 be crushed by
sheer force Of numbers in the end. And
Il IS time TO stop sending brave men
ike those who fell at Modder river, at
Glencoe, at Tugela and at Spionkop
% death. If civilization is Interested
civilized powers should speak.