The times., 1900-12-24
Circulation Statement.
The War in south Africa.

Something has happened for which we
have been looking for several weeks.
Necessity has compelled Lord Kitchener
TO admit that the war in South Africa
has recommended on dangerous scale
and that he must have large re-enforce-
ment. He has already two hundred and
ten thousand troops. That he needs
more is a significant admission that the
whole country is in a condition of re-
volt His military forces, if massed,
would be able to fight great battles and
permit of elaborate strategical and tac-
tical operations. But, like our own SOL
diers in the Philippines. Kiteheners are
compelled to garrison widely scattered
districts and places over an area almost
continental in extent. The consequence
is that with rebellion everywhere men
acing where it has not already broken
out. a comparatively few BOer comman-
dos are able to traverse the territory
almost at will, and to inflict damage and
defeat upon the British commands so far
sent to oppose them. The fact of the
situation is that, in the present threat
ening condition of affairs, the British
general in chief is simply compelled 10
cali Tor troops enough. especially mount
ed troops to furnish him with two or
three columns mobile in addition to what
he has already.
After all the fuss and feathers OF the
pretence that the South African war was
ct an end, this condition OF affairs is a
sad thing for the British Empire. 1t
means that-she awful debt which is pihng
up on the heads of the British taxpayers
may be expected TO go on accumulating
for an indefinite period. Surely this is
bad enough, but there is another view OF
the matter which is even more gnfortu-
nate for Great Britain. If two hundred
and odd thousand British soldiers are un-
able to pacify the South African country
and bring it under subjection TO the En-
pire. what respect may Continental pow
ers be expected 10 entertain for the or
gsnization, prowess, and leadership of the
British army? That service has lost pres
tige TO an extent which is a grave break
in what may be termed England's moral
defensive line. When the military strength
of nation, exposed as Great Britain is to
attack in more than one part Of the world.
comes to be despised, no one acquainted
with the precarious conditions under
which the peace of Europe has been pre-
served for some years can fail to recog-
nize serious grounds for apprehension.
There was a time, not long ago, when
the people of the United States might
have sympathized with the British Gov
ernment in the dangers to which every
one must see it is exposed. But that is
not now The manner in which the i'm
periaI authorities have winked at the
cold -blooded and impudent invasion and
seizure of American Alaskan territory
has changed the good feeling that the
Spanish war developed between the two
kindred nations TO one of renewed sus-
picion, dislike and hostility on this side
Of the Atlantic. We are sorry that there
is reason for such a sentiment, but IT
is not open 10 doubt that it exists. Should
Great Britain get in trouble tomorrow,
with some Old World State or States,
there would be little friendly cdvice or
assistance available from this shore OF
the Atlantic.