Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-04-18
Taxes GLOOMY VIEW
South African Blue Book Not
ENCOURAGING on Boer War
Question.
Miner Dispatches Give Impress
sion That the British Are
Losing Ground.
The Fighting Area Enlarged by
the Scattering Of Both
Forces.

Az AA6ASAA6 IA So A<A.AssA 80 ~
the Scattering OF Both
Forces.
London, April 1S.-The South African
blue book, containing recent dispatches
from Sir Albert Miner and other offs
cial correspondence was issued last
night.
Sir Albert Miner wired under date Of
March requesting permission to re-
turn home at an early date upon leave
OF absence for the purpose of resting.
Joseph Chamberlain, the colonial secre-
tary, replied by granting this request.
but expressing the governments regret
that it should be necessary for Sir AL
fred to leave South Africa at the pres
INT time. quite recognizing, however,
his need for rest and mentioning three
months as possible period of absence.
In dispatch dated Feb. Sir Alfred
Miner reviews the situation in South
Africa and says that he had hoped some
definite point would be reached at which
it would be possible to sum UP that
chapter of history containing the war
and forecast the administrative recon-
struction which must succeed it..
But am reluctantly forced to the
conclusion that there VIII be no such
cividing line, continues Sir Alfred
Miner, land 1 have not the slightest
doubt of the ultimate result. but fore
see that the work will be slower, moro
'diificult. more harassing and more ex-
pensiye than what was at one time an-
|ticipated. AT any rate 1t is idle to wait
Eiuch longer in the nope of being able
to discover clear and clean-cut situa-
|5tion. In spite of the confused character
Tot the present position, ] think it better
TO attempt to discover. however. rough
ly and inadequately, the state of things
as they exist today.
1t is no use denying that the last
half year has been one Of retrogression
Seven months ago this colony was per-
fectly quiet, at least as far as the Orr
5nge river The southern half of the
Orange River Colony was rapidly set
Itling down and even considerable por-
northwestern districts. seemed to have
definitely accepted British authority and
Ia rejoice at the opportunity to return
to orderly government and the pursuits
of peace. Today the scene is complete
Is altered. 1t would be superfuous to
dwell on the increased losses to the
country caused by the prolongation of
the struggles by the form of which it
has recently assumed.
THE fact that the enemy are now
| breaking up into great number Of
small forces, raiding in every direction.
land that our troops are similarly broken
| up in their pursuit. makes the area of
loctual fighting and consequently of de-
istruction much wider than would be the
case in conflict between equal num-
bers operating in large masses. More
over the fight il now mainly over sup
| plies. The Beers live entireySon the
Icountry thru Which they pass, not only
taking all the food they can lay their
Hands on, but footing the small village
stores of clothes. boots, coffee and SUI
gar. all of which they are in great need.
Our forces are compelled TO denude tine
country of everything movable in order
TO Illustrate these tactics of the enemy
The loss of crops and stocks is more
serious TO the Beers, continues Sir Al
fired Miner. than farm burning, OF
which SO much has been heard / say
this not at all as an advocate of such
destruction. i am glad to think the
measure is now seldom, il ever re-
sorted to-"
Sir Alfred Miner considers that the
inexpensive character of the farm build
fings is comparatively small item in
the total damage caused.
After mentioning the "wanton de-
struction of head gear. stamps and 9TH
or apparatus In the outlying Mines Sill
Alfred expresses a hope that the mis-
creants will turn out to be not Beers bul
members of Rand proletariat belong.
ing to various European natjonalities
who are intensely anti British and have
now taken to the veldt.''
i He points out that the damage to Tho
mines is not great comparatively to the
|large amount OF capital stock in them
one mine having been damaged to tn,
1 extent of G2o0,OOO Continuing he says
4 The consequences OF the war, alth,
grave, are not appalling. The countr,
people will need help to prevent then
lAioiii StAisli6, diiu plopdDly ID certain
amount of capital. A more serious eff
feet of the last six months is the mora
!. influence of the recrudescence of thu
war. especially in the Orange Rive
i Colony,
J, He then sketches the rising agains
. the British forces. the breaking of Doe
3 pledges of neutrality under the pressur
? of old companions in arms and the es
tablishment of camps of refuge for Doe
families wanting protection. He de
y scribes the effect in Cape Colony 0
guerrilla warfare and agitation and al
! ludes to the carnival of mendacityi
accompanying the pro-Boer agitation
AT the end of 19OO." says he, "the ex
element has somewhat subsidized, be
cause the worst inventions-the cruelt
of the British troops-had been exposed
and partly because the general intro
duction OF martial law had checked Sc
ditious writing and specializing"
He thinks majority OF the Dutc
) colonists do not desire invasion. Dis
! cussing the plans of local defense pu
q into operation, he argues that the gov
. ernment's policy should be to conside
q the feelings and interests OF the loyal
. lists, and thus to retain their loyalty, a