The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-10
TUESDAY. APRIL 10, 1900
Enuiand's Plight in south Africa.

account Of the military conditions il Pre-
senjs, although they are serious enough, as
because Of its effect upon the opinions and
perhaps the action CT other nations. The
world row realizes that it jumped 10 a
wrong conclusion in assuming that the easy
capture Of Bloemfontein by Lord Roberts
meant practically an end to the war, with
a triumphal British march from the Free
State Capitol 10 tt8t Of the Transya2l as
The only intervening term. Far from such
thing being in sight the question now is.
not whether Pretoria is 90 be occupied by
The 18th Of May. but whether Roteits VIII
not be compelled 20 fan hack, in view Of
the Boer operations on his tanks and rear.
Perhaps We ought to make military al
lowances for a people who. in modern
tiles. have never before made war upon a
civilized zoe. ursided. Il may be very easy
10 do SO from an academic standpoint. Bat,
when it comes down 10 the concrete. there
IS 10 more immutable law ttan that States,
ike individuals must take the ccuse-
quences OF their mistakes and sins aad
ignorance.
The war in South Africa is SIX months
old. Up TO the tlrie when Lord Eo-erts
banked General Ci0Gje IT Jacohsdal and
relieved Kimberley. its history was oae OF
almost undertaking British bluader and
failure. and Of Boor success. We have so
often recited the story OF British unpre-
paredress: OF War Office ignorance Of en-
eny's resources. armament. or equipment,
and CT The ordinary methods Of mcli liza
lion. supply, ard maintenance in use by the
Continental powers, thai it would he SUI
perauous again 10 80 over the ground. one
would ihirk that the bitter experience OF
the arst campaign. ending at Srion IN
and Moader River, would have forc-d soIe
degree Of wisdom into the heads Of the
Queens headquarters men il London. but
the contrary seems to be the case. Wien
Roberts captured Crcnio's Insignificant
remnant al Paardeberg and occupied
Biocmfcrtein. all England thanked its for
tuuate stsrs-on the collar Of "Bobs -
that Boer resistance was finished. and that
new ara happy era Of cakes and ale had
dsxned The purchase Of cattle abroad
was sufpea55a. and the United Kingdom
settled Itself down to watch the Gua ds
walking into Kruger's stronghold TO the
strains OF the latest music hall ditty.
II does not seem TO have occurred to
the London authorities that synchronOus-
u with the occupation Of Bloemfoutein, the
south African winter began, and that any
movement northUard in the daily iucreas-
ing cold, rain. sieet and snow Of the sea
sen must be delayed until warm clothing
could be secured for the troops. Neither
does the euartumaster's department APP
pear TO have realized that the cavalry
would be dependent for future operations
upon the prompt supply Of remouuts s,
there Lord Roberts is, fought 20 stand
still for lack Of clothes and horses; Will
The Beers. taking advantage Of his un
favorable situation swarm back en- hi
tanks and rear, and threaten the com
muuications upon which alone he must de
pend for the supplies that would enabl
him 10 move. Gatacre has been forced e
retire from Reddorsburg. BrabaHt has bee
summoned to surrender az Wcponer th
Rouxville garrison has had hard marchiu
and fighting to escape south Of the Oraug
River TO Aliwsl North, Butler is menace
rfh an attack on his flank by the Help
maker Road. the swazis are on the war
path. and the Basutos seem all but Ger
.sin TO take g. What are the nations q
Europe TO think Of al this as the net re
suit Of half a year Of war by nominal
the greatcet Empire Of the day. agalns
two little isolated African States, VIII
unitcdly. cannot command more than iii
thousand ngh;ing men, and who. accordin
10 Cecil Rhodes have never had TO cXcee
thirty thousand In the field?
Il IS TO be apprehended that what the
win think Will be neither agreeable
British pride nor couributory 10 BIRTHS
Interests Indeed il may be predicie
with confidence that the day Is not IA
distant. unless the imperial prestige
quickly restored. when Europe viii bzgi
10 hint that # has been complacent an
neutral 10 the limit. and that it does no
propose TO give Great Britain the duratio
OF eternity in which 10 defeat handit
Of AfrIkander coionists. with a force {
Two hundred thousand men. 4 halt wi
have 10 bo called some time Other coun
tries may be willing enough TO see Oh
British Government consolidate its powe
in South Africa by the subiugation OF Oh
two Republics. They are not equal
willing that the efforts should go on iud'
nnitely without conclusion. There is
high state reason for such a senumen
irrespective OF friendship or unfriendshi
for Great Britain. Inconsequendal prolor
gallon Of the struggle is adverse to a
peace OF The world other small and r.
mote communities. observing the ca!
with which a few Beers are able 10 star
of and punish The biggest army Englan
has ever mustered may acquire the Nc
lion that other European armies are .
better. and that they might as well tai
the chances OF war for Independence.
On the reasoning We have presented 1
being naturally suggested by the logic
the situation. Il would seem to be an in
mineut probability that some moyemel
IN the direction Of interference will mi
ieriailze without much further delay: o
that there will be Developments OF al
other sort even more serious for Gre
Britain The truth cannot be ignor,
that Europe has ceased 10 regard Il
British as q nation capable Of suecessf