The Washington times., 1901-09-21


comparative smallness of or ocean ma
rine ought to be able to find a goodly
measure of consolation in the circum-
stance that we have more miles of rail
way than all the countries of Europe
combined.
Britafn's south African Menace.
The serious situation which has SO
suddenly developed in South Africa is
well calculated to cause widespread un-
easiness in Great Britain. Lord Kitche-
ner's recent reports have been as dis
quieting for what they have not as for
what they have said. 1t is not alone
that, instead of being in small rowing
guerrilla bands, as previously asserted,
Botha's forces are able to bag a whole
British battalion. 1t is something more.
The Boer commandant general evident
ly has gathered a considerable number
of troops, and, at latest accounts, was
threatening Natal from Utrecht 1t is
highly probable that he has invaded the
Colony before now. His lieutenants are
operating effectively in the east Of Cape
Colony, where the inhabitants largely
sympa thize with the Beers. All in all,
there is every prospect Of continued
war; to which must be added the hor-
rors of uncivilized warfare on both sides
unless Lord Kitchener should refrain
from carrying out the punitive terms of
his proclamation, setting September Is
as the limit of acknowledged Boer
belligerency.
With the Car of Russia talking over
affairs with his brother sovereigns of
Western Europe, suspicion that in
tervention in South Africa might occur
to him or them, as a timely and Chris
tian thing TO propose, would not be un-
natural in England. Reports were re-
Gently persistent, to the effect that Rus
sia and Germany might soon suggest to
Lord Salisbury the propriety of ending
the war by negotiation and concessions.
since his Government had been unable
to terminate it vi ct armis. Were such
a proposition laid before King Edwards 8
Ministers we have little idea that they
would accept it, or even contemplate 1t
with more than forced politeness. But
the simple fact of such an overture
would be a grave embarrassment to
Great Britain, both at home and
abroad. With two hundred thousand
men in the field, pitted against beg
carly twelve thousand ignorant colo
nists, without supplies or transport, 1t
would be the extreme of humiliation for
the British Government to be ap-
preached with proposal to accept me-
to- <,f foil tJftrs,
to conquer such little band of de-
tenders by the extraordinary applica-
ton of all the available military means
at the command of the Empire.
There is still more In the South Afri-
can situation calculated to perturb the
British Government and people. The
rulers of Continental Europe do not
drop in, on one another casually, as do
private people. When Enperors and
their Foreign Ministers meet other EN-
perors and theirs, At Is very. reasonable
to assume that questions of high politics
are discussed; and there are several of
that class which are engrossing the at
tention of Old World Cabinets at this
time. Turkey has acted in 1. way of late
TO Suggest d thdt iiic ~
question may be reopened- The Sultan
is without diplomatic relations with
France, and there might be hostilities.
The Balkan peninsula is in ferment of
revolution. The regular annual mas
sacre of the Armenian Christians by the
turks is reported to have begun on
time. British fears, in which Germany
may possibly join, that the ambition of
France to seize the Mediterranean lit
toraI of Morocco. including the soath
shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. may
soon result in a forward movement in
the direction named, might be excusa-
BILE.
Any or all Of these things might ap-
pear on the surface OF the European
stew, and find Great Britain without
knife, fork, or spoon with which to give
them attention. The South African pre-
occupation is as much in the path OF
British freedom OF policy and action as
ever, and that for Great Britain is the
prime menace of the hour.