The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-27
SATURDAY. JANUARY p, 1900.
EugIand's Serious Plight.


general conclusions on the strength of Il
British disaster at Spion Kop. and viii
1t may be true that the reverse is oil
which, possibly, Sir Redvers Butler {
somebody can retrieve, still it must /
said that the affair comes by way
climax to a situation throughout which tn
military prestige of the British Empir
has been steadily sinking in the opinio
OF Europe and now it seems to be los
entirely.
In an ordinary war Warren's apparentl
inexcusabie blunder would be regarded a
a deplorable incident. involving the need
less sacrifice OF a lot of officers and Zen
and demanding court-martial. In tn,
peculiar circumstances of the struggle il
South Africa just now, it will be widel!
regarded as definitely settling the question
OF British generalshp as a factor OF NOR,
than negligible value, in war conducted
on the opposite side by trained and ex.
perienced strategis;s and tacticians. Will
all the warning Of previous blunders be-
fore him. and in the face of all the lessons
taught by the tactical accomplishments OF
The Beers. generally against superior
force. and nominslly superior organization
and discipline, one of the prize profess
sional soldiers of the imperial service has
been easily trapped and his command
slaughtered mercilessly. 1t is not our
province to decide upon a verdict in the
premises. but equally, there should not
be much doubt as TO the one that the
courts. cabinets. and war Offices of Europe
will reach. They are very likely to as
sumo hencesorward that, however strong
Great Britain may be on the seas. on the
land it is not military power TO be
feared by any civilized armed nation.
1t is just as well TO regard the present
position of the British Empire from this
viewpoint, because it is one which may be
focal as to events not impossible of de-
has not sincere political friend in the
world. Even the United States, deeply
touched by her sympathy and backing in
the war with Spain. and originally in-
clined 10 make common cause with her
against the designs of other powers in
the Far East. has been nearly alienated
by the cold blooded rascality of the Ca
madam boundary claims in Alaska, and
by the attitude of the English press in
respect of the Nicaragua Canal Ger
many, or rather The German Government,
perhaps, is friendly for reasons of state
IT might not suit the purposes or inter-
osts OF the Kaiser's government to per-
init unchallenged any serious inroad upon
the integrity OF the British Empire. and
Fl is obvious that its RELOCATION to a po-
sition OF second rate power and influence
would be an unfortunate thing for the
United States now, or probably at any
time during the next generation. But,
aside from these more or less interested
friendships and excepting also Japan, we
are not aware that any State or people
on the continent Of Europe would feel
desolatod II England were to be driven out
OF Egypt deprived Of India, or cyicted
from Africa.
The only possible active ally to whom
Lord Salisbury can look with hope is the
German Emperor He probably may see
more for himself, his dynasty and his
country in holding up the hands OF his
grandmother empire than in any other
course open 10 him. It is certain that his
people are not generally Anelophile in
sentiment. but they are not enough in the
habit Of having their own way for the fact
to cut much figure in The solution. II 1t
IS 10 his immediate interest to call ''hands
on, and he is able TO fasten Austro- Hun
gary and Italy to his policy, the day OF
open Russian and French aggression upon
England may not have arrived. Probably /
he is disposed 10 prevent such a thing. /
Should Wilhelm II throw his sword into |
the scale against Britain. the result might
indeed be 10 destroy the British Empire as |
It exists today. but with the serious |
danger that Russia, and especially France.
might be aggrandized unsafely for him
as result. At the same time IL
is safe proposition that the Kaiser
will be compelled to take high ground
on the English side, If European in
reference IN South Africa, and possibly
a French movement contemplating British
evacuation OF Egypt, as well as one on the
part OF Russia aimed at Afshanistan. are
TO be ayefted
II goes without saying that a sudden res
ioration of confidence in British military
ability. such as might be produced by n
series of brilliant movements attended by
victory in the field. would render the dan
gers that appear 10 threaten victoria's