The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
LONDON news and GOSSIP
Little Confidence in Speedy End
of the BOer War.
The Public Sentiment Rather Cheer
full Notwithstanding British Re
yerses-Wrongs of the Irish People
A New Liberal PIuiform-Prof-
Mivart'> Death and Cathoiicism.

LONDON. April despite yesterday s
disconcerting news of the capture OF hye
companies OF British troops, public opinion
inclines to a cheerful view of the whole
situation. As Minister of the Crown
was heard to say. smilingly yesterday. TO
friend 1t is a long, long hill, but it viii
be all right He was asked: If you bad
known it was going to be SO long hill,
YOU might not have been 50 quick 20 pick
up President Kruger's challenge? "oh,
dear. yes" he replied. 1T was bound to
come, and knowing what we now do OF the
Republics ambitions. it Is as well that 1t
came when it did, and We shall now go
right through with it, but" he added after
a pause, what a lot We are learning.
One effect OF the latest development is
to modify the criticisms so freely passed
earlier in the campaign upon Sir Redvers
Butler. Lord Methuen, and other generals.
1t is now clear that at Paardeberg General
Kitchener was deliberately repeating the
old mistakes of impetuous frontal attack,
and unnecessary risk OF human lives when
Gen1~l Roberts came up. called of the
troops and changed the whole plan OF en-
gagement. II is clear also that even Cen
eral Roberts himself finds the country. the
character Of the enemy. and :he immense
difficulties Of transport at present almost
insuperable obstacles Thus Ministers and
Englshmen generally are beginning to re-
| alize that England's greatest general is
as pOwerless to play quick war game as
| Butler was. One hears no more OF Lord
WOlseley's too confident prediction that the
British flag would be hoisted over Pretoria
on May 10, while Winston Churchills cock
sure promise to a Pretoria journal to be
back there again in March looks somewhat
foolish today. The Ministers also who a
fortnight ago warned their party managers
not to be caught mapping if a general
election should come in July, now mention
next spring or even summer as more
likely time for dissolution.
No Sign of Weakening.
But despite the slowness of the war and
the demands on patience there is no sign
of weakening purpose. Indeed, the en-
phatic endorsements of the Government
policy of thorough" which the colonial
governments have formally rendered, are
accepted by the Ministers as an evidence
that any hesitancy in South Africa at this
point would involve serious setback to
the new Imperialism upon which the Gov
eminent counts confidently TO get them
back into power.
On the other hand, Liberal opinion seems
at last to be settling down into something
like a programme with which TO face the
electorate. ,Ir. Bryce is, as yet, its chief
spokesman in default of Lord Rose5ery,
Sir william Harcourt, and Sir II. Camp
bell Banlerman, who still avoid definite
pronouncerents. Mr.. Bryce's position as
enunciated yesterday suggests the follow
ing Liber,i alternative to the Government
policy, NJ ,nely "a 4 provision against the
recurrence OF present troubles by taking
away the Boer artillery and depriving the
Republics of all foreign relationships; (2J