New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
CONFIDENCE IN THE ESSENTIAL UNITY
OF THE ENGLISH SPEAKING WORLD.

OF THE ENGLISH SPEAKING WORLD.
pEssIMIsM OVER THE REvERsEs IN SOUTH
AFRICA-woRK OF THE BRITISH AS
socIATIoN-THE KINGS VISIT
TO SCOTLAND
Copyright 1901: By The New-york Tribune,
[BT CABLE THE TRIBuNE.I
London. Sept. 21.-Political moralists while
.rasperated by the series of humilatine defeats
in South Africa find grounds for optimism re-
specting Englands relations with the world
There have been signal proofs this week of the
cohesive clannishness of the Anglo-Saxon race
The spontaneous manifestations of homage for
The martyred President throughout the En-
glsh speaking world have offered convinc-
ing evidence of the impact of race SYM
pathy. Lest forget was not the refrain
OF the recessionaI from Westminster Abbey
as the strains of Beethoven's epical march for
the death Of hero rang out in triumph. That
service was sign Of the essential unity of the
English speaking world, and so long the
Anglo-Saxo race stands together the burdens
and responsibilities Of the future may be faced
with courage and faith. whether in Washington
or In London.
fresh proofs
OF the loyalty of the empire in the hearty re-
ception Of the Duke of Cornwall in Canada;
and these have been timely, since the unex-
pected reveTses in South Africa have created a
feeling Of DISBURSEMENT, albeit not dismay.
The welcome received by the Car in France
is regarded here as greater triumph for the
bourgeois President than for the peace loving
autocrat. Each has called the other friend and
r,4tt tho
not been materially strengthened by the cele-
bration at Compiegne and the sham fight at
Rheims The ornaments of European powers
are effectively neutralized by the alliances of
governments and the personal relations of rulers
that meetings like that at Compiegne are chiefly
remarkable for the extraordinary precautions
taken for the prevention of anarchist outrage
Engshmen do not conceal their conviction
that the relations of their own government with
the dependencies of the empire and with the
American Republic offer surer safeguards for
the future than coalitions with the armed pow
ers of the Continent They are not alarmed by
the change of Presidents at Washington, for,
while Mr.. Roosevelt has been enormously de-
scribed a jingo and an enemy of England
they believe that he will prove a conservative
statesman and a true friend of international
peace. The diplomatic view Of Anglo-American
relations is that the Canal Treaty will be sent
by President Roosevelt to the Senate in De-
cenber and ratified with little delay. and that
II viii be accompanied by convention for the
purchase Of the Danish West Indies. What is
considered Of vital importance is that the canal
question should be adjusted scientifically that
England viii never be called upon to enforce
any provisions against the United States on
representations from 9erlfn. and moreover that
the chance Of any conflict over the Monroe Doc
trine may be removed by the timely acauisi-
tion Of the Danish West Indies before Germany
finds herself strong enough at sea to chal-
lenge g.
The reverses in South Africa have not been
accepted philosophicalIy. but panic has been
created Lord Kitcheners proclamation is now
generally regarded tactical blunder since
1t was imperative a menace and offered the
Boer leaders leisure for re1tting their columns
after period of rest and making plans for
series of unexpected attacks. The Importance
of these British reverses is neither ninimized
nor exaggerated. The moral is drawn that there
must be no more proclamations and no negotia-
tons, but that the conclusion must be faced
that the subjugation of guerillas will require
many weeks and be attended with exceptional
difficulty. The government is naturally criti-
czed for lack of resolution and strenuousness in
The conduct Of the war. but the truth is also dis
oerned that the British army has become worn
out and stale by the prolongaton of the conflict,
and that the officers and men readily
drawn into traps and duped by Beers dressed in
Khaki as they were during the earliest stage of
The war. This is the real source of national
humiliation. The British army has always been
regarded as small, but extremely fit for any
emergency The loss Of five guns, the surrender
OF four companies of mounted infantry and
heavy casualties to the Lancers. rushed by
1rr- -n5o oh f,,a-
pair national confidence in the army and cause
intense modification
English truthfuIness is proof against self-de-
ception. 1t lays bare the loss of military ef-
hciency and the decline of prestige of the Off
GERS with stark naked candor and dismisses
MI Brooricks scheme of army reorganization
Win shrugs Of Gisdain a hollow mockery.
Indeed. British pessmism goes to the verge Of
injustice to the army in hour of self-abase
nent 1t does not take account Of the extraor-
oinary difficulty presented by a war with the
oiarest and most logged guerillas history has
ever known, and by the vast extent of the ter
htorles which must be occupied and protected
any army OF regulars would be at serious
disadvantage in stamping out the operations of
Tie Beers and be exposed TO unexpected re-
verses Brilliant the exploits of General
ootha and Comnandant Smuts have been, Lord
htchener has been doing thorough work. The
pak OF the Boer fighting force is imprisoned
ana, while the hopes of the Dutch warriors
VIII be re-enkindled temporarily, the process of
wearing down their remaining resources has
gone far and viii be carried doggedly TO the bit
Ter end
The proceedings of the British Association
nave escaped observation outside of Glasgow,
wing to the pressure of great events. 1t has
oeen an unusually busy and practical session