New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
KAISER ALONE READY.
English Var Office Scandals Haze
Precedents.

Amazing are the revelations contained IN
the voluminOus report just issued by the Royal
Commission appointed by King Edward to in
quire into the conduct of the recent war in
South Africa, laying bare they do to the gaze
of people both at home and abroad a condition
Of affairs at which not even the most savage
critics of the British War Department had vent
ured to hint, it is well to bear in mind that the
scandals-for it is impossible to describe them
10y any other word-have many precedents. not
alone in England, but likewise in foreign coun-
tries
Indeed. it may safely be asserted that in all
the great wars that have taken place since the
overthrow of the first Napoleon at the battle of
Waterloo no War Department save that at Ber-
lin. military administration that of
Prussia, has been found prepared for the
conflict, or been equal to the demands made
upon it. In each campaign the soldiers in
the field have been not merely hampered in their
military operations but likewise subjected to
needless hardshps, suffering and loss Of life by
the incompetence and the negligence Of the War
Department at home.
Popular clamor has ensued and commissions
of inquiry have been instituted for appeasing
the Indignation of the taxpayers aroused by the
discovery that their pecuniary sacrifices had
been TO effect Reports have been drawn UP
and issued. But it has all been OF ne avail and
power save Germany would be ready for the
mergency in the event of a sudden outbreak of
So little has been accomplished indeed by
these commissions of inquiry-or rather / should
say by the publication Of their Teports-in the
way Of bringing about reforms and of rectify-
ing abuses that it is difficult to understand why
their contents should be made known to the
world at large. In the words of Mr.. Gladstone,
when discussing in the House Of Commons the
inquiry into the conduct of the CriInean War
and the investigation of the War Department.
1T will lead to nothing but shame at home and
weakness abroad; it will accomplish no useful
purpose but will carry malignant Joy to the
enemies of England"
Mr.. GladstOne's remarks were followed that
same night by a speech delivered by his great
rival. Benjamin Dsraeli. afterward Lord Bea-
consfield, from which l take the following brief
phrases which appropriate to the pres
ent situation in England that they might have
been uttered yesterday instead Of half century
ago.
What confidence" asked he have this va
riety of ministers in each others counsels? They
stand before US confessedly as men who have
not that union OF feelings and Of sympathy nee
essary to enable them successfully conduct
public affairs
1t was the Duke of Newcastle who was Secrs-
tary Of state for War at that time and he was
the object OF quite much public obloquy
Lord Lansdowne is to-day in connection with
mis- control Of the War Department during the
Boer War. Indeed, there are many striking
points Of analogy between these two cons Glen
sious. hard working. but narrow minded obsti-
nate and. from an administrative point Of
view. lamentably incompetent noblemen. One
almost imagine the marquis using the very