Evening star., 1901-10-05
They Cannot Understand the Stu
alton in South Africa.
PUZZLED BY KFfCHENER'S REPORTS
These and Mr.. Chamberlain's
Statements Do Not Tally.
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
LONDON, september 25, 1901.
The average Englishman is surprised, not
to say astonished, at the recent Boer yicto-
ries. which. though they were predicted by
continental newspapers in touch with the
Transvaal groups in Holland and Belgium,
made no impression at all on him.
There is some apprehension here that
Lord Kitchener's proclamation must have
been circulated among the wrong people.
At any rate, whatever surrendering there
has been since September 10 has not been
on the side of the Beers. The striking
Boer success on the Natal border had bare
ly been minimized, in the usual way by
our jingo friends when there came the in
telligence Of a further ''regrettable Incl
dent.
The fact that a force of artillery and
two guns have been captured within fif-
teen miles of Pretoria is an incident calcu-
lated to strike the imagination 1t sug-
geSts that Lord Kitchener must be neglect
Ing more essential work for the compost
tion of futile proclamations. The Beers
nave apparently come to the conclusion
that they want some artillery for their
spring and summer campaign, when guns
can be moved easily Therefore, without
consulting the feelings of their foes and
iny1ncibly ignorant of the notorious fact
that the war has been over for twelve
months, they help themselves to five Brit
ish guns in two days. 1t would be regard
ed as sfngularly clever piece of work If
1t were consistent with the high level Of
patriotism to which the majority of En-
giishmen have now attained to be able to
think anything done by the Beers clever
Kitchener's Figures Are PuxxlinK.
1t cannot but have been noted that every
time British force surrenders nowadays
Lord Kitchener qualities that familiar oc-
currence by stating that the surrender was
only made to an Overwhelming Boer
force Now, since midsummer, ii Lord
Kdtchener's bags have been accurately
counted, he has killed, captured or wound
ed about 1900 Boers. more than the total
Of fighting Beers he had before that date
estimated to be in the field. 1t becomes
stand how the Beers, even relatively can
still be roaming about in Overwhelming
numbers" The explanation is that the
strength Of the Boer force depends on the
exigencies Of the politico-military situa-
ton.
When Lord Kitchener wants to take some
OF the humiliation or a British surrender
he says the Beers were in Overwhelming
force. On the other hand, when Mr. Cham
berlain wants to show that 1.-The war as a
war lis over he Is instructed that the Beers
are mere rowing bands of twenty or thirty
men, more like banditti than anything else.
When you are disgracefully foiled in the
attempt to conquer small race, to call
them bandftti for defending their own
country is only possible to that high level
OF patriotism above mentioned, and the ut
ter absence Of all sense Of humor that ac-
compauied 1t.
Ministers are still enjoying themselves in
their continental chateaux or on the golf
links and the moors. and, according to the
statement Of a news agency based upou
the results of interviews with subordinates
left in charge Of the various offices, the
government is not at all perturbed by what
Is happening in South Africa. 1t thinks
that the reyerses suffered by British troops
cali rather for greater alertness and eau
ton on the spot than for Strengthening the
forces from home. But for the tragic
consequences that have already followed
the governments complacency this state
ment would create considerable amuse-
ment. 1t will, at any rate, hardly encour-
age the commanders 1.-THE front.
Parliament is to be called together very
early next year 1t has been suggested
In various quarters that the government
may be under the necessity of holding a
special session In order to get supplies for
the war. This is an expedient which. at
all costs. ministers are anxious to avoid
The distinguished statesmen who do us
the honor of governing us from Whitehall
are not yearning to meet the house of
commons. The middle Of January will be
quite soon enough for them but 1t will be
late enough for the practical purposes of
the situation, since there is no likelihood
of the war expenditure being reduced for
some months to come
The Cars visit to France.
The visit of the czar to France, 1t ap-
pears. has financial object as it's chief in
spring motive. Financial circles in the city
are now talking openly of Russia coming
soon into the money market as borrower
The sum is expected to be a large one, the
amount being stated at a figure as high as
forty millions sterling. Russia has long
Transcontinentai railway. its action in
Manchurta and the Chinese trouble baye
greatly Increased the difficulties. There
fore, as the nationalist leaders make a pill
grimage to the United States IN the au-
tumn. when their exehequer is low, the
czar betakes himself to his allies and
friends across the Shannei. His visit to the
kaiser which seemed at first to neutraiize
forgotten in the ,oyerpowering enthusiasm
of the moment. sand the savings of the
French peasants may leap once more from
their stockings to repienish the exhausted
Russian treasury
The comparatiyeie luleewarmuess of the
czar's speech ON his departure from France
and the dissatisfaction df the Parisians that
he did not visit ihen s'.fity, have set the
jected alliance befEeen.sEngiand, Germany
and Russia ScaTIefyss more fruitful
theme for speculation lcoald be provided
Such a combination sssefulI OF world wide
possibilities. 1t is2 hoHeyer. one of those
schemes which only rest in the irnagina-
tion of the theorists and. so far as the
practical politicians caneat present discern,
is as impossible liberalization as Is acom-
bines between the Greeks and Turks.
The czar Is undoubtedly persona grata
here. but unfortunately he cannot influence
the immntable policy of Russia What he
decides today can readily be set aside to-
morrow. The greatest of living Statesmen
In once discussing the qualities of the three
great countries on the continent observed
Russia Is ruf3ian, France cad. Ger
many geatieman.. :. and In this terse de-
seription. founded upon personal and pain
ful experience will be found the reason
why this triple alliance will never be un
fait accompaL
Early Advent Of Rad Weather.
The early advent Of the eGuinoctial gales
and Of cold. wet weather Is driving Ameri-
cans homeward earlier than usual this su-
tumn. The rush Tor berths on board the
chief Atlantic liners for between now and
the middle of October Is almost unprece-
dented. afad many who neglected to book
their. homeward passages early are befng
delayed longer than they had anticipated.