Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-22
CHAMBERLAIN'S ABILITY
NOT ABLE TO COPE WITH AZ
 FAIRS IN ENGLAND.
War in South Africa Becoming 8 Farce Mobility Makes Poor Sol diers-C Criticism From An
 American Standpoint.

dierS-CriticiSm From An
 American Standpoint.
 Since the close of the Civil war, when it was proved that the Union could sur viye the shock attending the settle ment of great social question, no his torical event has tended more to prove the superiority of democratic forms of government than the South African war; It is not so much that the Boers are a democracy, though narrow ana imperfect one, as that the English army is aristocratic ill it's constitution and its officers are drawn, almost ex- clusively, from what is termed "so- ciety." It is true there are among them many gallant and intelligent men, but the great body of them is but little better in the essentials of soldiership than it would be if it were drawn ex- clusively from the frequenters of Tux edo and Newport. 1t represents those who having little to do are obliged to take a serious interest in amusements and sport, men who have been waited on all their lives. whose idea of dis cipline is amenability to drill and do cile recognition on the part of the men of the great gulf between them and their officers. We understand perfect ly that among the English officers are men like Baden-Powell. Ian Hamilton, and French, who comapre favorably with our Lawton or Chaffe, and we understand, too that no more cheerful, accomplishing and enduring soldiers than the British infantry ever shoul- dered a musket; our assertion is that the system does not tend to develop the adaptability and independence of the officers of the men. We believe that had this war been waged entirely by Australians and New Englanders it could have been brought to q success full termination with half the force which seem to be engaged only in pro longing it interminably. Astocracy has failed; it has been proved con- clusively that it lacks the power to carry on a modern war. Indeed, it was proved long ago when CromWelfs ..Ironsides" beat the royalists when ever they met them, or when Braddock led his men to death in the Virginia forest.
 Rudyard Kipling is stirring up strong feeling of resentment in army circles because he exposes relentlessly the lack of soldier-like ability, the heavy headed conservatism, and the seventeenth century stupidity of the typical English officer. In reality he is doing the work of patriot. The light-hearted, boyish, gallant fellows he depicited i'll his Indian tales do not understand their business. They seem as incapable of learning as they are 1n- capable of cowardice. War is not car ried on any longer by dash and daring. It is carried on by shrewdness and me chanical skill, qualities absolutely dls- tasteful to an aristocratic society.
 In another regard the aristocratic constitutions of English society has proved the essential weakness of the system In our country q leader who had failed as absolutely and ignomin- iously as has the Hon Joseph Cham berlain, who had made such frightful and costly mistakes extending over years, and applying to the very sub jects with which he was supposed to be best acquainted. who disclosed no ability to learn by his mistakes and persisted in adroit concealment of the facts with jaunty indifference, would have been driven from office by storm of righteous indignation. Yet this evil genius of England retains the position in which he does so much harm. Lord Salisbury may be forgiven. He is an old man. He clings to the Illusions of his youth; he Is not long for this world The traditions of his class are all powerful with him. But Chamberlain is man of the middle class by birth and has intelligence enough to learn he cannot plead the claims of long de- scent as influencing his views of life He could not survive in American pub- lie life when tried as he has been by the stern logic of events any longer than Simon Cameron or Russell AIger did. But he is applauded at a semi professional gathering paid for with Vanderbilt money at Blenheim as if he were really statesman.
 We do not hesitate to criticise our own government when we think it is in error, but it does look as if our sys- tenn were .soundere in some respects than the English. When the English want an able man for great business enterprise they find him. Why cannot they find one for secretary of the col onies? They should at least have made change a year ago. The great object of governmental system is to select the right man for the responsible posi- tion. The English apparently cannot do it.-Hartford Times.