New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
THE BoERs' ADVANTAGES.
ENGLAND SHOULD DEFEAT THEM
o the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
0r' among clear and high thinking Arnar,o.,.
Vi reiish ancestry believe the sorrow is as deem
anu sincere over the distressing British reversas &,
south Africa as II is among our cousins across ~
Atlahuc. personally do not agree with those who
are disposed TO criticise the British rorces t
making so httie Roadway against the Beers How
We may oeprecate their lethargy in matters of
euuCallon art industr1alism and government the
ahglo-SsXon world should awake at once ~ the
fact that the hundred thousand mon who or 80,
the armies of Queen Victoria are probably the
equal OF any army OF similar size that c,arr,ar -
rtussla could have put into the field What the
Boer may lack in long training in tactics ard
manRuvres he fully makes I'D IN +aorIo..a
winch Is no less real because it is tempered WITH
caution; in his superb qualities as q sharDsboo+ar
MS hardness and the fact that he is thoroughly
acclmated. The naturally clever commanded ~
the boer army have their advisers some of The
best trained military minds Of France GERMANY
and Russia This is admitted. and results show II
be true -
In addition to the fact that Great Britain e
measuring its powers with an army as good as anv
OF Ike number that Continental Europe could nre
sent 1t must be remembered that the Dutch forces
nave an overwhelming advantage in being on the
defensive 1t is estimated by war scientists that
other Things being equal, q besiegng force must
outnumber defending force seven TO one IN order
10 capture city properly intrenched. The little
republics, surrounded they are by Notifications
easy of defence a fortified city increase Il you
pIease TINS discrepancy between defence and at
tack IN the ratio that present day guns and rifles
exceed in range and accuracy the WeaDons of the
tranco-Fr'sssian and il will be seen that half
nnllIlon men is low estimate Of the forces that
viii be required to subdue these South African
1t is better Tor the world and pre-eminentIy i'm
portant for Anglo-Saxon civilization that the Afr
can war should be brought TO end speedily by
crushing defeat Of the Beers II the Beers should
win this war II means two things equally hateful
to America Our mother England would leave
south Africa and go back 10 her island Inundated
decade Russia would drive her out OF India and
clared their independence South Africa would be
come strong. arrogant so-calied republic, with
gressiveness and sense OF fair play. In a short
time, with her splendid natural resources. she
would become our rival on the sea, not SYM
pathetic rival like England but hating US because
think the situation is sufficiently critical for US
TO interfere do not mean meditation, because 1t
would be fatal to AnglO-SaXon prestige for Great
Britain 70 Withdraw from the struggle after great
defeat. President Mckinley should without delay
call the Beers 10 lay down their arms. II this
were refused We should promptly send troops and
of ablest generels-not those picked
through official favoritsm-to aid great ally TO
put an immediate enc 10 TINS struggle, we nave
had enough prOvocation for this kind of inter
ference. Nearly many American Outla nders as
English Outlanders suffered from years OF outrage
and oppression, and there direct insult 10 US
in the refusal OF KRUGER 10 permit our Consul TO
interests OF the British in the Trans
The work of our troops the Philippines is
practically at an end and they could receive bet
training than 70 be sent against foenen worthy
Of their steel European cry of unfatrness Wou!c
have better basis than the same cry When raised
against five six officers OF the peace engaged IN
taking unruly member of society TO the lookup.
A quick finish of the Beers would be mercy to
the Beers. Such a union Of Anglo-Saxon forces
would be OF the greatest assurances OF tne IuI-
lIre peace Of the world. would show Europe
that the Anglo-Saxon alliance was an accomplishing
fact II would present such overwhel Ginning strength
that no Continental nation combination would
Great Britain PERCY RAISTON MARVIN
Orange. y. J. January 81, 1900.