Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-22
BoTHA FEELS CONFIDENT

An important news item from South
Africa Is the statement that the Boef
leader, Louis Botha, in the beginning OF
this month, told his men not to suren-
der as long as there were 800 OF them
left, adding that the American colonies
fought six years for independence
Equally important Is the manifesto
signed by President steyn and Gen
Dewet, in the same spirit, In which IT
is pointed out that the Burgher forces
are stlll led by responsible leaders I'M
der the supervision OF the governments
Of the two republics.
Were the Beers known as idle boast
ers. such pronunclamentos would de-
serve no attention, but these men are
better known for their acts than their
words. They say little but do a great
deal The probability Is that to them
their cause does not present Itself as
entirely lost They believe they have a
chance yet, and they mean TO take IT,
trusting In the righteousness OF their
cause and In Providence. for final de-
llyerance.
The strict censorship exercised makes
IL difficult for the outside world 20 form
a Just estimate Of the exact situation
but 1t seems that Lord Kitcheners
forces are fully occupied keeping the
lines Of communication open, so that he
Is not IN a position to undertake any
large expeditions against the Invaders
OF Cape Colony The Boer leaders have
grasped the Importance of this situa-
ton and turned II TO their advantage,
by an invasion Of British territory,
which under other circumstances might
have been considered insane foolhardi-
ness.
General Botha, who Is reported to
have encouraged his followers TO fight
to the last man, and pointed 10 the
American colonies as an example, Is,
even by the British, considered one Of
the noblest men In the Boer army.
During the stormy seems In
the Volksraad preceding the COM
mencement of the conflict, he opposed
| the war; and depicted the awful devas-
tatlon that he foresaw would follow
| But when he was oyerruled by the ma
jorlty, he was among the first TO seize
his rifle and report for service. At
| Dundee General Lucas Meyer, Il Is said,
decided 10 surrender to the British, bu.
Botha refused TO obey, and the victory
was due to his sklful tactics. Al the
Tugela, Meyer was sick, and Botha, as
his assistant, planned the wonderful de-
Tense against General Butler, Bothas
positions at Colenso were chosen with
the greatest skill, and that battle made
him famous, Then he retook spion
Kop, and gained further fame, and II
is said that General Joubert, while dy-
ing, designated him as the leader OF
the Boer forces. The campaign as now
carried on, whatever the ultimate OBJ
iect of It Is, Is no doubt due to his adj
vice. There are several great Boer
leaders In the field, but Botha Is INC
Moltke OF the little army. He is nc
fanatic. but wen educated, practical
farmer and stock raiser as well as a
soldier He Is about forty years old
full OF vigor II he has declared that
the Beers can continue their struggle
for years, Il Is to be feared that Grea'
Britain must prepare for further sacri'
fees before the country Is subdued'
In London the promise is now made
that the war will be over by the LIST
of July. But such promises are easier
10 make than to keep. General Botha''
reference to the American struggle fol
Independence is particularly pertinent
For al times the outlook In the colonies
when Washington led a hungry, rag
sed. discouraged band Of patriots WA
often not any more bright than Is tn
South African situation today, from
Boer standpoint Time alone can tel
= what the outcome will be.