The Butte inter mountain., 1903-01-10
NEWS

chance came. must. however, be silent
about his successes and faiures, for, as
lett Natal, had no personal experience of
his methods. But this | will say, that
whatever his own people have to say 10 his
discrcdt, Sir Rcdvcrs Butler had to opcr-
ate against stronger positions than any
other English general IN South Africa"
De Wet cannot pardon General Cronje's
pcrsistcncy and final surrender at Paarde-
berg. By way of apology he admits II was
asking much OF the intrepid hero TO aban-
''n the lager since Ctonje had the view
AT he must stand or fall with il. and
adds IF ! presume to criticisc his con-
duct OF this occasion IL is only because [
believe he ought to have sacrificed his
own ideas for his country's good and that
he should not have been courageous at the
expense OF his country's independence, to
which he was as herccly attached as l."
but for the almost miraculous escapes of
lie Wet he might himself have been
charged with rashncss rather than credited
with courage. Again aud again with only
handful of men he attacked the host of
the enemy-the tale seeming incredible but
for the positive knowledge OF the facts.
Yet III this record we find that discretion
often modified his valor and he wisely saved
himself and men for more important
affairs. The disgrace of retreat cost him
more effort than the widest daring He
says ITO ilce-what could be more bitter
than that? All many time when | was
forced TO yield to the enemy ! felt 50
degraded that | could scarcely look a child
IN the face Did call myself a man?
asked myself. and II so why did run
away No one can guess the horror which
ovcrcamc me when | had 10 rctrca, OF 10
order others TO do 50. II | did ny IT was
only because one mansannot stand against
twelve"
The reader will he surprised over the
friction among the Beers aud the necessity
OF urging them 20 renewed activities.
Cronics defeat had y depressing effect
which was felt more or less through the
war. With the kind consideration that a
father might have shown. DE Wet after
the fall of Blomiontcin allowed his men
10 20 home and stay while. lie knew
they were homcsick aud dishcartcncd. lie
knew too. that some would not return. but
he preferred 20 command 10 men who were
willing To fight rather than 100 men who
shirkcd their duties. When one rcmcm-
bers the fearful odds against which these
men fought the wonder is not that any
stayed away or hcsitatcd, but that the
warfare was ever begun. OF. having begun.
lasted three years. This tells the story of
courage aud pcrsistcncy better than any
facts or figures that may be brought for
ward. De Wet did not take II amiss II
colonist of Natal or Cape Colony was un-
willing TO join him. but II vcxcd him that
some of these colonists Tor shillings =
day were ready to shoot down their fellow
counirymcn.
The Beers have been charged with
breaking their oaths of fidelity. DE Wet
not only doe, not deny the charge but
even Justlics the burgncrs in the act
Lord Roberts issued a proclamation to the
effect that il the burghcfs took an oath
OF neutrality he would give them protection
for their persons and property. Nearly
5000 after taking the oath again took up
arms. The justification given is that the
English were the first to break the agree
ment They ordered these burghers 10
report to the British military authorities
any Bocr scout or commander coming 10
their farms, and further the English did
not keep their word in regard To protcc-
tion. Women and children suffered aud
crops were destroyed. DE Wet refuses 10
warfare. ] he Beers fought continuously
in their own domain This, he says, j. not
the way with guerrillas, who make sudden
invasion into Others territory. He gcner-
ously overlooks the Englishmen's lack of
the Use OF correct English in the Slsc and
says they really did not mean 10 use the
word at all. II there was anything in the
peace negotiations that rcjoiced the heart
Of the intrepid commander of the Beers IT
was that the English were obliged to with
draw the offensive soubriquct guerrilla"
and to acknowledge that their opponents
acted under a legal government.
The spirit Of DE Wet is as noble in
adversely rs it was courageous in the face
Of the foe. His final word is addressed
TO his people and the order is "Bc loyal
TO the new government Loyalty pays
best in the end. Loyalty alone is worthy
of a nation which has shed its blood for
freedom! Charles Scrbners Sons, New
York;