The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-03
BRITAIN AND eoER.

With tho announcement from London
that a treaty OF peace between Great
Britain and the Beers has been signed
ends one OF the most remarkable wars
known to history. When hostilihes
broke out IN October. 1889. 1t was gem
erally supposed that the war would be
of short duration. One OF tho British
generals boosted that he would eat his
Christmas dinner IN the Boer Capital. It
well prepared for the struggle. but how
could handful OF men in South Africa
continue for any length of time hand
to-hand struggle with the most power
ful nation on earth-a nation of infinite
resources and having at its command
,arge armies Of the very best trained
soldiers? The world did not know, and
# is doubtful If Great Britain herself
realized the stun Of which the Beers
were made.
But as soon as the Beers began to give
hn account of themselves the whole
world was startled. It was not long be-
fore the whole British army at Natal
was shut up In the town OF Ladysmith.
and reverse followed reverse in such
rapid succession as almost to stagger
Great Britain and to convince the outside
world that this was not to be Skin
mish, but desperate and costly and pro-
longed war And so indeed it proved to
be. The war has cost Great Britain
round sum in dollars and cents and
many Of her bravesr and best men have
been sacrificed. The whole British pco-
pie long since grew sick and tired of the
struggle and no wonder there is great
rejoicing throughout England to-day that
the war is at last at an end.
It has been said and is being said to-
day, that Great Britain was utterly un-
5ustihable in waging this war; and 1t
is charged against her that 1t was a war
Of greed that she wanted the rich gold
fields of South Africa and was deter
mined to have them and control them at
whatever cost. These gold fields are,
of course, a rich prize and Great Britain
needs them. But they We're by no means
the only consideration. Laying aside
the question of the rights Of English cit
liens involved, a question which has
been discussed until 1t is threadbare.
Great Britain was wise enough to see
that her integrity as a ruling nation
was largely involved in the settlement OF
the issue which had been raised between
herself and the Beers. She knew that
II she should back down the probability
was that similar troubles would arise in
other parts OF her extensive Homain,
with what result none could say, and SO
she determined to meet the issue then
and there and settle it once for all.
Doubtless all her colonistS have watched
this struggle with the keenest interest,
and the British Government was deter
mined that they should not see any
semblance Of faltering on her part.
The sterling character OF the English
people has given splendid exhibition
of itself during this war. 1t Is not IN
prosperity so much as in adversely that
the true character Of man or nation is
made manifest. Although Inundated
and distressed beyond expression at re-
verse after reverse to British arms In
South Africa, at the monotonous reports
from the generals IN the fields Of Il
regret to state" there was never in all
England anything like a popular upris-
ing, anything like a panic. anything re-
sembling French mob. The people
received the news with a courage and
stoicism that commanded the admiration
of the whole world. The reply to all
such dispatches was another ship-load
of troops, and the fight went on.
But, while admirlng the British. we
cannot withhold our admiration for the
Beers. They fought as men have rare
~ fought in this world. fought without
hope and under the most trying circum-
stances but they fought with skill and
they fought with the courage of victors
They had no great armies with banners.
but they did terrible execution, and upon
several occasions they demonstrated the
fact that the finest cannon OF modern in
rention and mechanism are almost
worthless against crack shots. armed
with long-rangc rifles Their splendid
conduct gained for them the sympa thy
of the civilized world, and even those
who were friendly to Great Britain
wished in their hearts that the Beers
might succeed. They demonstrated to
the world that they We're worthy of In
dependence and capable of self-goyern-
ment
The Beers have been likened to the
soldiers of the Confederate army, but
there was this marked distinction be-
tween them. The Beers continued the
struggle by resort to guerrilla warfare.
simply that they might prolong the war.
in the desperate hope of getting some
future benefit from desultory struggle.
The Confederates, when they satisfied
themselves that their cause was hope
less, laid down their arms and re-
turned in peace to their homes. We have
often said in this connection that to US
General Lee was Grander and nobler at
Appomattox than in the midst OF his