The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
CRITICS AND CRITICISED.
Easy Work for Stny-at-Homes 10
pIamc Soldiers at Front.

There is n familiar ring in the tone OF
English comment these days. and we ma
the impatient. well-nigh savage express
sion of Views on the South African situa-
tIon OF quite the same quality as found
its vent in this country at times during
our short and decisive war with spain.
THE freedom and ferocity OF the British
criticisms OF their own officers and the
latter's campaigns In the Transvaai are
characteristic OF people at home. capa-
bic of wild tumultuous enthusiasm when
victory attends their soldiers Efforts but
equally boisterous and relentless when re-
verses overtake their troops. The fact
that the critics of the London clubs and
the iolterers on the street possess no In
formation and know little or nothing OF
the real conditions does not hamper the
oilers and their buster experts OF the art
Of strategy at distance In settling the
questions OF the military hour Those
who are lghting at the front could well
stand the home solution of their problem
IL the matter ended with that harmless
occupation. but It must he disneartening
to those IA authority and 20 those upon
whom the grave responsibilities OF the
moment are placed 20 be the object Of
pitiiess attack.
The London papers have herceiy and
Keathingly rebuked nearly every officer in
south Africa. have found fault with the
plans and the conduct of those tn com
mand and have demanded the recall OF
one officer or another. even going so far
as to call one leader a lunatic and guess
ing AZ events where malevoient gossip
furnishes no material for condemnation
We find the dignifed journals. such as the
Times, indulKing IN this reckless havoc
Of regulations, personal and official. The
temper OF the people Is not rendered more
pacific hy this attitude Of the press and
We read IN the cable accounts Of British
sentiment that the names 81 govern
mental leaders stand in the English mind
Tor oil that IL base and treacherogs.
WHY Is Il that n people az home, await
ing news from the army situated as are
the British troops In South Africa, must
WHY Tho commanding generaisT Why
should tho opinion OF an editorial writer
on the London standard. Post OF Teie-
graph De taken ia regard to the move
mont AZ Modder river as more worthy
than the plans Of experienced officers on
the groundf British soldiers are not lack
Ing In courage. their officers are possessed
az abundant skin aud energy and YRlor
as s:rateCists. tho plans 81 campaign are
made hy men who are not teasing the
soles OF thelr shoes tn front q q eluh Are
/ place The British public should appre-
cfate thIs and realize that @ar under slcA
conditions as prevail in South Aiftca does
NOT mean a series of theatrical Victories
Ths British are remote from she main
sources ~ supply; they are embarrassed
iv the details Of transportation aud they
are engaged with an enemy o. great tlaan-
claf resources. tntreptdlty, savantag a9us
position and an abundant store q war ma
terial The public which Is 80 quick 20
criticise should not forget the great obsta-
/ Gle q formidable foe which stands in tho
: way OF immediate British victory The
/ public OF any country can always afford
10 believe It's military commanders are
( blessed with as much discretion fore
I thought and sAEacity as men az home
who stay at home. This consciousness.
which seems 70 overtakc the critics only
/ In times Of success. should temper the
/ comment IN any case on the conduct OF a
/ campaign, and AZ no time or place more
/ than now and IN England Army and
I Navy REGISTER.