Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-18
1[SOLATION IN
a SOUTH AFRICA.
81, Alfred Miner Paints a Terrible
Picture.
MATTERS FREDERICKSBURG
Last six Months-Fight NOW
..,,',, over supplies consequen
&c. OF war Appalling

,.,dor. April IA South African
,ns Nook containing recent dispatches
p'u' ca Alfred Miner and other Of
ScaI correspondence was Issued 10
night aroh Cir Alfred
,a,nsr reviews the situation IN SCUM
hiI, Na and says that he hau hopeh
Aiue' do6nite point would be reached,
SONY n Mich If would be possible to sum
alW ."t chapter Of history containing
UP ul". AMI forecast Of Administrative
lhe Ma !Srnctlon which must succeed II,
feey recon-, am reluctantly forced TO the
pv. .,ar that there viii be no sucn
e ,3lbi,m, line continues Sir Alfred
SlSlu'"' oand have not the slightest
Auis' ~ the ultimate result, but ! fore
sos that tbework VIII be slower, i'ore
S Si@cnt more harassng ana more eS-
,nms,ve than was at any time ahtlci.
p pa,od AZ any rate il is Idle to wait
p o,o,bar in the hope of being able 10
49, clean-cut situation. In spite
uisIg, .onh,sed character OF the present
" think 1t better to attempt 10
pp,,Hover however roughly and lnade-
o1@toiv the state of things as they ex-
ar il no use denying that the last
bag wear has been one Of retrogression'
seven months ago this colony was per
fectly duiet, at least as FAR as tne
Orange river, The southern haii Oh the
Orange River colony was rapidly SCI
fling down, and even considerable
porilon of the Transyaal,-notaoly the
southwestern districts, seemed 70 nave
definitely accepted British authority
and 10 rejoice at the opportunity 70 re-
turn TO orderly government ana the
pursuits OF peace.
"Today the scene Is completely az,
tered. II would be superiluous TO dwen
ON the increased losses ia the country
caused by the prolOngation of the
struggle by the form which II mas re-
Gently assumed The enemy are now
broken up into great number OF smali
forces raldlng in every direction, ana
that our troops are similarly broken up
in their pursuit, makes the area OF
actual fighting and, consequently, OIL
destruction, much wider than would pc
the case In conflict between equal
numbers operating In large masses
Moreover. the fight Is now mainly
over supplies. The Beers live entirely
on the country through which they
pass. not only taking all the food the!
can lay their hands on, but lOoting tn
small village stores OF clothing, Doots
coffee and sugar, all Of which they ar
I'm great need OF. our forces are com
PEELED to denude the country OF every
thing movable In order to frustrat
these tactics Of the enemy.
"The loss Of crops and stock is NOR
serious to the Beers than farm burning
OF which 30 much has been heard.
4 say this not at all as an advocate o
such destruction, aud ! am glad L
q think the measure Is now seldom, 1
ever resorted to-"
Continuing, he says. "The conse
quences Of the war although not grave
are appalling, The country people vii
need help to prevent them from stary
ing, and probably certain amount o
capital A more serious effect OF tn
last six months is the moral influence
Of the recrudescence Of the war. es
pecially in Orange River colony"
He then sketches the rising against
the British forces, the breaking OF Boel
pledges Of neutrality under the pres
sure OF old companions In arms and the
establishment Of camps OF refuge FOL
Boer families waiting protection. HI
describes the effect In Cape Colony Of
guerrilla warfare and agitation and al
ludes to the carnival Of mendacity,
accompanying the pro. Boer agitation
AT the end OF 1900" he says, "tht
excitement had somewhat subsidized, be
cause the worst inyentions--the cruelty
OF the British troops-had been ex.
posed, and partly because the genera
introduction Of martial Law hal
checked seditlous writing and speak
ing"
He thinks that a majority OF thu
Dutch colonies don't desire invasion
Discussing the plans OF local defens,
II put IN operation he argues that tn,
government policy should be to con
slider the feelings and interests OF tn,
loyasts and thus 20 retain their loyal
~, as well as TO disarm their emit,
and 70 win the confidence OF those, who
are lighting against Gerat Britain.
South Africans are sick unto deatl
OF the war he says. but are prepared
TO make South Africa indisputably on,
country under one flag"
he believes that the young countr,
VIII Tecuperate In few years when tn,
war Is over