The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-02

pect them to do, and that their main
body can ride faster than General Bull
ler's main body can walk was also
pretty generally understood. The con-
sequence is that the Boer army can not
be turned. Wherever it is attacked it
can present an entrencned front.
According to Mr.. Churchill there are
1000 Beers watching Ladysmith, the
same number held ready to resist Cen
eraI Butler, and 5000 kept in reserve to
reinforce either body at need. Thus
General Butler has to attack 1900 men
entrenched on favorable ground. For
that purpose Mr.. Churchill thinks he
ought to have $4,000 men instead of
25.OOO. In other words, General Butler
ought to have another division.
This opinion comedies with the view
center of gravity Of the war lies in
Natal, and that a British victory there
would be decisive, while a complete
British defeat in Natal would have dis
astrous consequences not easily to be
estimated.
1T seems difficult in view of the
strategy accepted at the war Office as
we'll as at Cape Town, to believe Gen
eral Butler is to be allowed once more
to attack a position with less than nu-
which tacticians commonly think neces-
sary for such a task. 1t is hardly in
telligible that he should attack again
without being reinforced.
Apparently AOWShSIs d al-
tempt will be made without loss of
time. Indeed, it seems probable that
the movement is now in progress. We
must hope that the splendid bravery of
our men will be rewarded by success.
When Mr.. Churchill says that the pub
lie must nerve themselves he probably
means prepare our countrymen at
home for heavy losses in the coming
battle"
Winston Churchills dispatch from
Pietermaritzburg, in addition 10 details
respecting the position on the Tugela
gives a most interesting survey of the
general position. He says:
These most serious attacks upon the
war office appear unjust. The great
army in Africa is of the finest quality,
beautifully organized and equipped in
all details and has excellent artillery.
The Boer guns are few but splendid and
are cleverly handled. The Beers COM
mand the range of moving targets at T.
900 yards, often at the first shot of our
guns. We can not explain how"
In an interesting comparison of Brit
ish and Boer methods of warfare as il
lustrated during the battle of Spion
Kop, saowing how the British troops
were 'cramped, mixed and disorgan-
ized," and how the machinery of con-
troi was shattered, he says:
This would have not effected the
Beers. each of whom in pursuance of
a general resolve, either to hold or to
evacuate a position, would have acted
individually and quite independently OF
officers orders.
ut is a case of a pack of hounds
against a flock of sheep. but the next
morning the British battalions were again
collected and solid, showing the acvant-
ages of discipline. A similar loss would
have disheartened the Beers and have
caused a general trek. Herein lies our
expectation of ultimate success. The
British have great recuperative. powers.
The Beers have more. The war, therefore,
is brought nearer an end even by unsatis-
factory operations"
Mr.. Churchill who anticipates that the
consequences of the war will not be al
together evil, ''as there will be IN increase
of respect between the comba tants, and
contempt, the former wedge of cleavage,
will be gone forever" recalls the Arneri-
can civil war and says that the Union
is never born without travail and after
the refining flames have cooled, we shall
find the pure gold of a more harmonious
system. Let Great Britain persevere."