New-York tribune., 1901-08-29
WAR OFFICE CRITICISED.
BRITISH PAPERS COMMENT FREELY on
CONDUCT OF WAR
TROUBLE WITH CANADA-JoHN REDMoND's 5
vIsIT-MIss MoRToNS ENGAGEMENT.

VIsIT-MIss MORTON'S ENGAGEMENT
Copyright: 1901: BY The New-York Trioune)
Enx CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE,
London Aug. % 1 a m.-Extremes meet IN
criticism of the War Offices methods The pro-
Boer journals magnify the importance OF petty
reverses in Cape Colony and reproach the gov
ernment for dstorting and suppressng essen
tial facts in the military situation, and mis-
leading the country through silly optimism
Military critics consider that the blunders com
Initted in sending out reinforcements to the
imperial yeomanry without adequate medical
examination is utterly inexcusable during the
closing period of the campaign and stanch
imperialist journal like THE St James's Ga
zette" is unable TO understand why the gov
ernment refused the offer Of the Canadian Gov
ernment TO raise a regiment Of mounted men
for hunting down the guerillas. nor why pre-
uminaries were not arranged between the war
Office and Ottawa, and unpleasant impasse
avoided.
The War Office has become most unpopular
institution in England, and is forced TO bear
the brunt Of the increasing sense of public irri-
tation and discomfort. II has not been sus-
pected here that there was any friction between
the War Office and Canada respecting the COM
mand Of the fresh contingent OF mounted men.
Why the matter not settled when the half-
dozen members OF the Canadian Government
were here during the summer is not understood
The press censorship is not a new grievance
and II does not explain the prevailing Ignorance
respecting the military operations in Cape Col
ony districts where small bands of Beers have
been hiding and Iooting. These sections are so
far removed from the railway that 1t is i'm
possible for press agents to collect accurate
information.
Despite the pessmstic feeling expressed by
many journals, it is fairly certain that the Brit
ish are slowly gaining ground The war VIII
not end under the limita tons OF Lord Kitch-
ener's proclamation in the middle Of September.
but the pacifica tion Of the most important dis
tricts will he undertaken in earnest around
johannesburg Pretoria and Bloemfontein
through a revival of mining and agricultural in
dustries.
Just as VIakronten the point of being
forgotten the news comes that at Graspan, near
Reitz on June 6, three British soldiers were
murdered by the Beers. There cannot be any
attempt TO Justify such barbarous methods OF
conducting warfare. but Lord Kitchener's an
| nouncement is discredited by some of the ex-
treme Radicals. pending an examination of the
evidence on which II has been issued
While there is general approval this morning
of the instructions sent by cable by William
St John Brodrick TO Lord Kitchener. the pro-
Boer Daily News maintains that the proposal
| 10 hold an entire commando responsible for an
act which may be due to a mistake or 10 the
| insubordination of one or two men is altogether
| indefensbe THE Chronicle which is a sup
porter of Lord Rosebery. counsels caution. and
| recommends TO Lord Kitchener to consider care
| fully the terms suggested by the War Secre-
| tary before embodying them in a proclamation
| Apparently the representatives Of the Boer
cause in Europe still persisting in their ef-
forts TO persuade the great powers to move in
| their behalf
II is reported from Brussels that journey
| of DIR I,eyds 10 Paris is closely connected with
| Mr. Kriger's desire TO obtain an audience of the
| Gar during his stay in France, and THE Mali
is convinced that at the meeting which will
take place on September 10 between the Car
| and the Kaiser the circumstances Of the Boer
| war will be gravely discussed.
John Redmond and Michael Davitt are MAX
! ing Journey to America for the purpose of
reviving interest there in the Nationalist cause
! They win assert that substantial progress has
I been made by the United Irish party during the