The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-12-18
The War IN south Africa.

The second South African midsummer
since the war hrok" ont j. AT hand, and ih"
conflict which at the start was not
expected tn last siN months IL still hoinE
carried on by the Beers in a manner that
surprises the world at large. Their polity
las been DESTROYED AM the who'll" of the
Orange Free state and about a third ot Tie
Trnnsvaal have been overrun by the enemy.
but their primitive military organization EN-
ahles them to maintain n resistance that
il taxing 70 the very utmost the ability ~
the British Army to put down
II ia probably fortunate for the Brit
ish Government hat the Boer leaders
who commanded ~ the beginning OF the
war Attempted 10 conform to the
methods Of regular warfare" That they
did 50 was probably due 10 their
age moro than anything CSC. and when tho
inner history of tie war 40 10 tho occupd-
ton Of Pretoria IS told by some Boer his
torian in possession Of the facts, i will v"r;
likely be fOunl that ~" younger and more
adventurous men We're kept back, under
the impression that a show ~ moderation
would win the sympathy of the Govern
ments Of Europe. and dispose their enemy
to grant them generous terms How
much in error they were, both from a polit-
ical and military point of view. their present
position proves.
The conditions under which the war
is being carried on will be rendered ten
fold more trying for the British troops by
the summer heats Of tho next four
months. Already stories are coming from
South Africa Of the demoralizing effect
on tho British Regulars Of the APP
parently endless character of the war
fare in which they are engaged. Incos-
sanity on the move. slecrless nights. harass-
ing pursuits Of an enemy who refuses to
stand and fight, with increasing difficulty
attending the transport and distribution
OF necessary %rations. are sail to be telling
on their discipline. On the Boo. side.
on the other hand, there is nothing To cause
the fighting men 10 desire 10 quit the field.
The families Of most Of them are in the
power Of the enemy and their homesteads
are destroyed and property looted. For
themselves. If they surrender. there is the
prospect Of prison pens at st. Helena or
Ceylon. They are native to the climate,
and their perfect knowledge of the country
is an element in the mobility which on
ables them to harass their enemy. neces-
sarily encountered with provision trains
which he dare not leave.
Official returns Of the losses Of transport
cattle. mules and horses since the begin
ming Of the war show that over half a
million animals nave persisted either I'm
battle or from exposure and overwork.
The casualties among the British troops.
that is to say. men and officers killed in
battle. dead of disease. or permanently
rendered unfit for service, now mount
up TO 1900. and the list is being added
to every day and will continue 10 grow
so long as the Beers can keep a commando
in the field.
What the limit Of their ability to fight
il. there is no direct means Of knowing,
the ordinary communications with South
Africa being altogether under British CON
troll, OF their determination to resist to
the end OF their power. however. there
appears no doubt.