Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-03
TWELVE PAGES
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 3. 1900.
BRITISH MILITARY PRESTIGE
GONE.

England-Great Britain-has lost her
and costly growth, once lost or shat
tered. 1t cannot be speedily restored or
repaired by the most illimitable re-
sources Nobody questions the courage
of the English army: the gallant daring
of its officers and the steady. butl-doS
courage of Tommy Atkins are fixed
facts that nothing can destroy, or les
sen. But the uninterrupted course Of
plumbers, misfovtunes and disasters
that has attended them in South Africa,
in the struggle with the comparatively
small and poor body of Boers that has
confronted them with such signal sue
cess. has utterly destroyed British pres
tige-the work of ccnturies-beyond re-
covery.
This is now substantially confessed
by The English themselves. They no
longer count on il, and sorely lament
that in this stubborn contest With the
Beers they were for moment deluded
by it. to underrate the Afrikanders. and
over-rate themselves. 1t has proved
nothing but n deluson and snare to
themselves, and has had little or no
effect upon the Dutch Republicans, cx-
cept to stimulate them to Il higher spirit
and a greater cndeavor. Not prestige;
but more men, more artillery, more
munitions and more money are now the
British cries These may succeed in
hoo ~,
and steadfast Beers; but they can
never rehnbllltatc that English pres
tigc which was once the inspiration &c
English deed and daring, as we'll as
the threat and warming that made the
world pause and falter on many n field.
The loss Is immense, and 1t Is rrepar-
able. 1t vastly weakens England In
Europe America, Asia and the isles Of
the sea. rs well as in Africa, North and
South, East and West. Numbers,
weight of metal ships and treasury
must now replace that loss everywhere.
as well rs they can. and they are sure
to fail nj some points How appalling
the consequences, If the warlike natives
of India. seeing dispelled the supcrsti-
tious fear and glamour with which
they have surrounded the Englishman,
come TO regard him as only man to
be killed, beaten, or driven-or, at any
rate. to be fought-and rise in wide re-
volt again! Suppose the fanatics OF
Soudan are again infamed TO mad at
tempts. beholding the Engiishmen as
the Beers have stripped him and re-
vcalcd him?
Great Britain will have many causes
TO rue bitterly the attempt to subju.
gate the Transvaal: and it may well
he that it would have been far better,
for her 10 evacuate Africa wholly, with
out blow, than 10 invite the storm
and stress that now opcn before her.
1T is now doubtful if even the stakes
for which Chamberlain so ruthlcssly
and recklessly gambIcd can be won.
Early In the strife soldiers were SO
poured into South Africa that the sim
pie Beers honestly inquired If the
armed incurslon were not meant also
as an immigration! Now there is over
100000 English troops III Natal aud
more constantly arriving \ Virginian
Anglo-maniac editor few days ago
had to confess that the Dutch heroes
had acted with 80 much bravery and
sagacity in defending their rugged hills
that there was no reasonable hope fol,
British success now except by throw
ing at least 100000 troops and large
number OF the most effective artillery
upon the scene. establishing large per-