The times., 1901-05-15
Circulation Statement,
Lord saIisbu-y's DeIirtum

friends to have restored his physical
health, has delivered a speech which
must make them sorry that he did not
while on the Riviera. take few appii-
cations for the benefit Of his mind on
Monday his Iordship was pleased to tell
a non-conformist convention that while
much was to be regretted in connec-
ton with the South African war, es-
peciaIy in the matter Of the loss CT
life. it still should be remembered that
a great deal had been gained, because
the struggle had dissipated the notion
which had spread throughout the world
that Great Britain's star had set that
she would never fight again, and that
anv adversary only needed to press
harCIy and boldly enough to compel her
to yield"
We are afraid that British states
manship has become inert when
a Prime Minister. in the face Of
the history Of England's military fail
ure during the past two years, can
take comfort and deduce glory from
things which, in the eyes Of the world.
have destroyed her prestige, and for
military potentially on land The
strategists and military critics Of all
nations have not yet recovered from
their amazelnent over England's stupid
undergraduates for even so small
war as that with the South African
Republics was supposed TO be when
il started. Lord Salisbury is wrong in
thinking that the notion" Of England's
setting star had penetrated the minds
Of intelligent mep anterior TO the Boer
war. Up To that time the traditions
Of Wellington, his operations in the
Spanish Peninsula and at Waterloo
were sUu alive in public thought 1t
was believed that England had an army
which, though small compared with the
German, Russian, and French armies,
was their equal in points Of crsaniza-
tion. armament, and efficiency. How
sadly this opinion has been destroyed.
Before the Boer war, as we have said,
England had the prestige derived from
her wars against Napoleon. That has
been completely demolished by the
Grass ignorance displayed by the Brit
ish Intelligence Office, her Quartermas-
ter's Department. and by biunders OF
her generals in the field Of which an
American volunteer would be ashamed.
The motion" OF England's setting star
and inability to fight was not acquired
before but as result Of the
war in South Africa. When more
than . quarter Of a million Of men, and
all the men that the greatest Empire
on earth can muster without conscrip-
tion, are necessary to the subjUgati0n
Of thirty thousand farmers, the con
clusion Is irresistible that, as far as
operations on land are concerned, Eng
land is not considerable as a military
power. Her generals are golfers, ten
mis- champions. pig stickcrs, and deer
staIkers. The humiIiaung spectacles Of
CoIenso, Spion Kop, 8Iodder River and
Magarsfontein are in evidence that
they are not, generally speaking, suate-
gistz, tacticisns, or leaders Of men, in
the accepted military sense. In offer
ing this criticism it is but proper to
say that there are a few British Of
fcers to whom 1t does not apply. Among
the excepted class the names Of
Generals Baden-P Powell, Pole-Carcw,
French, and Lord DundonaId shine in
contrast with the long list Of parlor
knights and eIubmen who have allowed
themselves TO be worsted by an enemy
without regular military organization,
without training in war except against
zavages, and with no cohesive strength
save that which freemen iHstiucHvely
attain to when fighting for their liner
ties and their homes.
We think that Lord Salisbury made
q grieyous mistake IN founding a world
wide discussion If his c0unTys loss
of credit IS war power. We are
compelled. also, to think that ne made
q worse one in his remarks, III the
same speech. on home rule. Hia
Iorashlp admonisned his hearers,
because home ruie had been accorded
L. The south African hurglers-vEe bv
the way were already free and entitled
10 it-an5 because they had used it
To acquire arms and munitions Of war
of which the British Was Office was
b'issfully ignorant that therefore
homo rule for ireland sooner or later
yrould impose upon the Empire an
other s0rth African war IN hat caun-
Try In other words. liberty must be
Withheld from ireland because the
Irish cannot be trusted
II is possible that Lord Salisbury did
not realize the necessary effect Of his
language upon world opinion. But his
meaning is too plain t3 De explained
away. il is that Ireland 1oes NOT pcs
sess The liberty that English statesmen
claim it has. and that irish leaders de-
clare necessarily 81 has nor. ana that
s. give the island that nome rule which
Scotland enjoys, and which every con-
sItueut State of the American Union.
enjoys. would ba dangerous 10 Che
safety If The realr3. This is IatEar re-
fresf.ng when ne come 20 consider lHat
Eaelanl's battles for q century and
haif practically have been fought by
Itishmen. in lts ranks and iu COM
rranL Wellington WAS oH IHsuman.
1.c Iey and Roberts are Ir.ahmen.
rr5 ,here ere two Ead5iss lor every
Tanssy sm5ns the enlisted men We
are eaztE-nely apureheHs Hsire that Enc
lend ues5s "a n-w Premier g.ta more
seasa and less HsIDus ptostrauon.
The Machn.sts' strike.
Developments yesterday seemed TO-
favor the idea that The general STRIKE
% maohiniets throughout the United
States. ordered Tor next Monday, either