Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02
British Public Regards African War
as Practically Over.
TIE POPULARITY OF GEN. ROBERTS
Butler, on the Other Hand, Sinks
Into Oblivion.
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP

LONDON, June Popular opinion has
proclaimed the advent of victory and what
ever happens henceforth in South Africa
the interest of the British public will be
but little unless the event is Endorsed by
a peculiarly personal element. The nation
has made up its mind that the war is over,
that the prestige of British arms is re-
stored, that President Kruger is vanquish-
ed. that priceless territory has been annex
ed. that humanity has not been staggered
and that, led by that little Sir Galahad.
"Bobs." Great Britain's army has fulfilled
the most optimistic expectations. 1t is
scarcely surprising, in view of the bewider-
ing rapidity Of Lord Roberts progress dur
ing the past week, that the anxiety atten-
dant on the initial reverse of the war is
completely forgotten in the jubilation of to-
day, or that the troubles still ahead of the
army in South Africa scarcely receive
passing thought.
Nevertheless. among the few more seri-
oGs-minded, who have intimate knowledge
of the Beers and the plans of the war Of
flee, there exist grave apprehensions of de-
velopments In the near future. In the sys-
tematic retreat of the Beers they see the
possibility of ng-drawn-out guerrilla
fighting, tricks into Rhodesia, internal dis
organization in the Transvaal due to ban
dts, and thousand and one lawless ele-
ments that evolve themselves from a hete-
rogeneous army after it ceases to become
an organized body. Some of the most acute
authorities South African matters say
Major General Frederick Carrington's work
In Rhodesia may only begin when Lord
Roberts finishes. Such speculation how
ever, can only be left for time to prove. and
this war. SO far has abounded in surprises
which have completely upset the surmises
of those best fitted to express opinions.
Situation in Free State.
Probably the most reasonable forecast of
Immediate developments in the Transvaal
can be gained by reviewing the events in
the Free State, or Orange River Colony.
There, though the country is formally an
nexed and is subjected to a winnowing pro-
cess by a long line of British troops, virile
opposition still exists The preponderance
of numbers is bound to eventually reduce
the inhabitants to subsection, and so Il
will be, probably, with the Transvaal. the
occupation of Pretoria and Johannesburg
being followed by operations similar to
those uninteresting movements now under
taken by Generals Rumble and Brabant in
the Orange River Colony.
The personal status of President Kruger
since he left the capital is creating some
discussion. A representative of the Assoc
ciated Press learns that Lord Salisbury
will consider him to be president of the
South African Republic until Lord Roberts
Is ready to annex that territory. Hence.
wherever President Kruger may be, even if
he goes into Portuguese territory. any COM
munications which he might make to the
British or other governments looking to a
cessation Of hostilities would receive official
recognition and be answered, though it is
safe to say Lord Salisbury would merely
refer President Kruger to Lord Roberts.
Some such message from "Oom Paul is
now expected at the foreign Office. If the
indicated line of procedure in answering it
is carried out it result in nothing I'M
less President Kruger Is willing to assist
Lord Roberts in persuading the people to
lay down their arms. On one thing The
British government is determned-Pres
cent Kruger cannot stay in the Transvaai
In the event of his capture he must be
transported, not necessarily in durance.
but he must be got out of the territory
which Lord Salisbury expects will shortly
be part of the British empire. Every effort
will be made to capture President Kruger
but the government officials are inclined to
believe he will manage to get into Portu-
suese territory where the British will be
unable to touch him.
Butler Sinks Into Oblivion.
One of the most curious features of the
closing chapters of the great war is the OBJ
liviOn into which Gen. Butler has fallen. A
few months ago 1t was Butler who would
stem the tide of Boer invasion; it was Bull
Ter who would enter Pretoria on Christmas
day: yet now Gen. Butler is scarcely men
toned. Gems. French, Hamilton and others
are all more frequently talked of and
cheered than the former commander-in-
chief. who seems to have become a negligi-
BILE quantity in the shadow of Biggars-
berg.
Words fail to describe the national CRATE
fitness to Lord Roberts Wellington never
was to England what Roberts is today in
the eyes of the general public. A dukedom
and the Order of the Garter at the queens
disposal through the death of the Duke of
Argyll are the least rewards that could
be bestowed on him. Already people are
talking of the scenes which will mark his
home coming. Conscientious military critics
occasionally try to bring on Lord Kitche-
rer's name. but their efforts have small
effect on the popular sentiments.