The Savannah morning news., 1900-12-26
BRITIsH NINIsTRV's LACK or
IsoRFSIGUT

AWhtaNAashis
In their Christmas editorials the Lon.
don papers comment 10 considerable
length on the condition o. Affairs In South
Africa While they ind satisfaction in
the fact mat the gloom that rested on the
British people last December s. not so
noticeable this December they take oc-
casiou 20 remind the people that there are
four times az many troops ln South Africa
there were year ago. The STANDARD
according 20 the dispatches moralizos
upon tho strange lack % political fore
sight regarding the character and wisdom
% thc operations against tho Beers
D. has been only about three months
since the ministry announced that the war
was oyer-.hat there remained only q ilt-
tlo opposition and that that was 81
guerrilla character - certain VA the
ministry thas the war was over that Lord
Roberts was given permission GO return
20 England ana The work of bringing
iarge par, % the army home wac Begun
Ia View of recent development the mor-
alizing of the standard seems TO be- jus-
uned not only has che bringing 81
troops home been stopped. but reinforce
nleuts are being sent TO the scene 81 ace
tiou Indeed. % looks as u the so2lh
African war had taken on nos lfe.
The charge has been made that the min
istry undertook 10 create the impres sion
that the war was over Tor the purpose
of Influencing the election The political
campaign had just begun aud there WIS
need 81 somethiug Co insure the elec ion
of a Parliament favorable 90 che govern
meut The government was supported hy
a very large majority. but no sooner hai
u got thc indorsemcnt OF the people than
it croppcd out thit the war was not over
that SEQ fact che Beers were about a.
active a. ever and that 81 would require
another ana perhaps % greater effort 70
establish British authority.
D. Is probably unjust TO the ministry
70 assume that Il knew that the war was
not near its cud-that lts purpose ia ls-
sorting that Dc was over Was 20 have SIS
lease uf power extended. D. was mislcd
a. 10 tho actual condition of affairs. ana
that is what the Standard means when
d calls attention Co the strange lack u
political foresight, regarding the condition
OF affairs in South Africa.
Tho British people feel that ultimately
they must b. successful. They cannot
see how IL Is possible FOR a handful OF
farmers 10 resist very much longer more
than e0oao trained British soldiers.
]; might b. Wel Tor them however not
suit There s undoubtedly chance for
the Boers though b appears 10 be- very
slender one Under the leadership Or De
Wet they are doing wonderful fighting
AID there IS dissatisfaction ia the whole
Of South Africa. The movement in favor
Of establishing South African republic.
which shall include an Of the republics
and colonies leaving 10 Great Britain
only "A couple Of coaliug stations. is gain
ing strength.
Great Britain has already spent over
SS0OoOo In her effort 20 conquer the
Boers. and her taxpayers are beginning
60 erumble. n the war should continue
another year the sentiment Ia Eueland
! against the war would be- vastly stronger
| than g. g. now. d might be- strong enough
| TO elect Parliament that would treat
with the Bocrs and offer terms Of peace
1 they would b. willing 90 accept.
10 IS said that since the recent sue
/ ceascs OF the Beers Mt Kruger has be-
come stin-necked Hc s. MOI 20 anxious
1 Tor arbitration az he Was. he seems 70
think that the Boers are capable Of win
I ming their independence. n DE Wet only
had = sufficient number OF men TO make
a eood-slzed army he would be- iustihed
IN being stin-necked Under the circum-
stances. however. he would show wisdom.
/ in al probability. by not neglecting any
opportunity Of making "a favorable peace.