The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-07
CRITICS AND CRITICISED.


There Is a familiar ring in the tone
of English comment these days, and
we find the impatient. Mell-nigh saw
age expression ~ views on the South
African situation of quite the same
quality as found it's vent in this coun-
try, at times. during our short and de-
cisive war with Spain. says the Army
and Navy Register The freedom and
ferocity OF the British criticisms OF
their own officers and the latters' cam
paigns i'm the Transvaal are character
istic of a people at home. capable OF
wild, tumultuous enthusiasm when
victory attends their soldiers efforts,
but equally boisterous and relentless
when reverses oVertake their troops.
The fact that the critics of the Lon
don clubs and the loiterers on the street
possess no Information and know little
or nothing OF the real conditions does
not hamper the idlers and their busier
experts Of the art Of strategy AT dis
tance i'm settling the questions of the
military hour. Those who are lighting
at the front could well stand the home
solution Of their problem IL the matter
ended with that harmless occupation,
but It must be disheartening 10 those
in authority and 10 those upon whom
the grave responsibilities OF the mo-
ment are placed TO be the object of pitt
less attack.
The London papers have fiercely and
scathingly rebuked nearly every officer
in South Africa, have found fault with
the plans and the conduct of those In
command and have demanded the re-
call OF one officer or another, even go
ing SO far as 10 call one leader a luna
tic and guessing az events where ma
lqyolent gossip furnishes no material
FOR condemnation. We find even the
dignihed journals. such as the Illhes,
indulging in this reckless havoc OF
regulations, personal and oihclaL Inc
temper OF the people rs not rehueIeu
more pacific by this attitude OF the
press. and We read in the cable ac-
counts OF British sentiment that the
names ~ governmental leaders stand
in the English mind for all that is base
and treacherous.
WHY is IL that a people az home.
awaiting news from the army situated
as are the British troops in south Afrl-
ca. must vilify the commanding gen
erals? why should the opinion or an
editorial writer on the London stand
ard. Post or Telegraph be taken I'm re-
gard 10 the movement at Modder river
as more worthy than the plans OF eN-
perienced officers on the ground? Brit
ish soldiers are not lacking in courage.
their officers are possessed OF aDun-
dant skill and energy and valor as
strategists. the plans Of campaign are
made by men who are not toasting the
soles Of their shoes in front OF "A cluD
fireplace The British public should
appreciate this and realize that war
under such conditions as prevail in
South Africa does not mean a series of
theatrical victories. The British are
remote from the main sources of sup
ply; they are embarrassed by the de-
tails of transportation and they are en-
gagged with an enemy of great financial
resources. intrepidity. advantageous
position, and an abundant store Of war
material. The public which is So quick
TO criticise should not forget the great
obstacle OF formidable foe which
stands i'm the way Of immediate British
victory The public OF any country can
always afford to believe it's military
commanders are blessed with as much
discretion. forethought and sagacity as
men at horne who stay at home. This
consciousness which seems TO over
take the critics only in times OF sue
cess. should temper the comment in
any case on the conduct of a campaign
and at no time or place more than now
and i'm England.