The Otago Witness, WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (THURSDAY, MARCH 22. 1900.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2403, 22 March 1900, Page 37

The Otago Witness, WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (THURSDAY, MARCH 22. 1900.) THE WEEK.

" Kunauam iiliud natura, ahua sapiontin. dixit." — Juvenal. "Gooa nature ana gooa seiiae inusi over jom." — Pope.

If the war news of -the week may still be called unexciting, it is not the less, but the more, satisfactory on that ac-

- count. The record is one of steady advance from all quarters into the enemy's country (Avithout much loss of life. The occupation by British troops of the Free State capital and the appointment of a British Governor mark the tremendous strides that have been taken Avithin the last feAv weeks- — Avhich feAv Aveeks, indeed, have been sufficient, from the fulness of their incident, almost to erase from our minds the insmory of the reverses from "which Aye suffered. The control of the lailway to Bloemfonteih gives, of course, vastly increased facilities for the prosecution of the Avar northwards, and means almost inevitably the entire subjugation of the Free State within a very short period. The statement made at the outbreak of the war that the Free Staters had no reai stomach for it is now proved to be true. The reception given 'to Lord Roberts at Bloemfontein, and the readiness of the general surrendering in the neighbourhood, must mean something more than a mere acknowledgment of defeat. Most probably they are the outward expressions of a deep feeling of relief at escape from a danger — the danger of dominion by the Transvaalers. It is not in human nature that the Free Staters should be overjoyed at their own conquest by Britain, large element of the British though there be amongst them. But it is quite consistent Avith human natuie that the Free Staters should be genuinely delighted at their deliverance from a neighbour Avhose association with them lasted quite long enough to reveal their pushing, aggressiA r e, domineering character.

We do not believe that any great stand will be made either in the Free State or in the Transvaal. The demoralisation of the Boer forces is too great for such a thing. The Transvaal leaders still hang on to the hope of foreign intervention, and while that hope lasts they are no doubt capable of making a very stubborn resistance. It will not, however, take long to convince them that no assistance from the foreigner can be expected. Not the least important of the events of the week is the definite statement made by Lord Salisbury that no offer of mediation would be accepted, and that the existence of an armed republic in our midst in South Africa would no longer be tolerated. We have received a lesson in this respect not likely to be forgotten in a hurry. While acknowledging that Lord Salisbury's plain statement is one of the most satisfactory items of news we have had, we think at the same time that it would be well for colonial Premiers not to be so ready Avith either then advice or their expressions of approval in matters which impinge, however lightly, upon foreign affairs. There is a language of diplomacy and a special training for it ; and colonial premiers can hardly be blamed if they have acquired neither the one nor the other. For Britain to express a firm determination to settle her own quarrel in her OAvn Avay is one thing ; for colonial premiers to make someAvhat flaunting declarations as to Avhat the colonies Avould do in the event of foreign intervention ia quite another thing — and not a Avise thing. Britain lias a just cause, and foreign intervention Avould be madness on the part of the foreigner. But susceptible nations are sometimes incited to acts of madness, and it is not Avise to unnecessarily incite them.

The Great Empire-maker.

Was there ever anything more comically true than this, ■which is from an after-dinner speech of Dr Conan Doyle, at the Authors' Club_ in London? It was in response to the toast of his health, which was being drunk in view of Dr Doyle's departure for South Africa: — " This war marks a turning-point in the life of Great Britain. Some eight months agg^l took the chair at a peace meetings

The War.

but I Avish now to abjure that error. I have seen more positive virtue in this country during the last few months than during the last 40 years of my life. Why should Aye punish Kruger? That man has solved a problem Avhich eA^ery statesman had found unsorvable. I Aveuld build a monument to President Kruger as high as St. Paul's Cathedral, putting him under it, and I would Avrite across it, 'To the memory of the man who federated the British Empire.' "

That is precisely what President Kruger has done ; he has achieA r ed more for us than the most distinguished Empire-builder of the century. On Mouth African soil the great nation-maker is Cecil Rhodes. He is a statesman \A r ith a Avide outlook. He Avields immense local influence, and is hand and glove Avith the leaders of the race in the mother country. He is that rare creature — a millionaire Avhose sole ambition is for his race. He has laboured hard for the federation of the So ith African corner of the Empire ; but it seemed as if in that direction his labour was about to be in vain. He could extend, but he seemed poAverless to Aveld together. Then an* 1 ignorant Dutchman — one Avhom Dr Leyds, of all the people in the Avorld, once described as an ignorant, narroAV-minded bigot — starts up, and Avith one Avave of his hand his heart the Avhile raging with hatred of everything British — he gives the order Avhieh not only federates South Africa, but the entire British Empire! For Avithout doubt a far finer federation has been already built up than ever could be founded upon parchments, no matter Avhat the cunning of the hands that drew. them. Every branch of the Empire sees eye to eye Avith every other branch. Every scattered* unit feels that its danger will" for the future be in&tantly felt as the danger of the whole ; that the resources of each will be put forth for the protection of all. The colonies have been taught to look with pride upon the parent State ; and the parent State feels a new-born sense of security in the deA-otion of her stalwart offspring. The very • children of every State have become familiar with the word Empire — and they know what it means.

And Aye have to thank President Kruger for it all — with some little assistance in the great work from the blundering Sleyn ! It is truly wonderful — so Avonderful that all oiir unfriendly foreign critics have nothing Avhatever to say on the subject. Silence, Aye dare say, Avas never in this world more eloquent. And yet the position is not unique. In much the same Avay Napoleon 111, in 1870, created the great German Empire.

So much interest is taken, and so much

Baden-Potvell on Scouting.

anxiety felt 'about the siege of . Mafeking, that some idea of the character and individuality of its gallant defender will not ba unwelcome. Prom the very first it was said that the Boers had a more wholesome respect for Colonel Baden-Powell and his colonials than they had for the Imperial troops. We can well understand it, after reading Colonel Baden-Powell's book on the Matabele campaign of 1896, which shows that lie is thorough master of all the tricks of the veldt. He has minutely studied the country ; he lias studied the G'affir, and he has studied the Boer ; and what he doesn't know about -all three would be hardly worth picking up. The " Matabele Campaign" is simply a diary jotted down by Colonel Baden-Powell to take the place of letters to his mother ; but unconsciously his own individuality comes out very clearly ; and there are delightful touches of humour all through the book. Colonel Baden-Powell was chief of the staff to General Sir Frederick Carrington during the revolt of the Matabeles and Mashonas just after the Jameson raid.

If Colonel Baden-Powell had four years ago foreseen the Transvaal war, and foreseen the disasters that were to arise from lack of efficient scouting, he could not have laid more emphasis than he does upon that important branch of the art of Avar. He devotes a chapter, indeed, to the art of scouting ; a chapter which would be well worth reading by members of the contingents now about to leave our shores. Colonel Baden-Powell is a great believer in individual scouting as distinguished from reconnaissances in force. He is no mean scout himself, and earned from the Matabele the name of " Impeesa," or nightprowlcr, from his habit of going about at night. -Individual scouting, he says, has gone out of use since the Peninsular war ; but modern weapons will compel its reintroduction : —

"It is not only for savage warfare," he says, " that I venture to think it so important, but equally for modern civilised tactics. 6 A reconnaissance in force in these days of long range weapons and machine guns can have very little chance of success, and yet, for the same reason, an accurate knowledge of the enemy's position, strength, and movements is more than ever necessary to the officer commanding a force. One well-trained capable scout can see and report on an object just as well a3 50 ordinary raer of a patrol lookingat the same thing. But he does so with this advantage, that he avoids attracting the attention of the enemy, and they do not alter their and tactics on account of having been observed ; and he can venture where a parity would never be allowed to come, since the enemy, even if they see him, would hesitate to disturb their pickets, etc., by opening fire on a solitary individual, although they would have no such scruples were a reconnoitring party there instead."

In another part of the book, alluding to inexperienced scouts, he says : —

Seeing nothing to be alarmed at (the enemy being in hiding) they are apt to mistake discretion for funk, and foolhardiness for pluck. They think that prccaixtions are derogatory : to see them saunter into danger is, as it were, to Avatoh a child playing on the edge of a cliff. It is that same foolhardiness that stands in the way of many men becoming good scout?. There are plenly who are ready, if asked,' to go and look into hell's mouth; but what oiio wants is a man who Avill not only go there, but who can see his Avay to getting back again to tell you what he saw. And to do this he must be Avary, must notice all signs, however small, and be able to read their meaning.

Colonel Baden-PoAvell had under him the celebrated American scout, Buruham, from

Avhom he learnt many of the tricks of the trade. Colonel Kekewich, Ai'ho defended Kimberley, was also under him during the Matabele campaign.

That Colonel Baden-Powell, besides being a very smart officer, is not afraid of responsibility, may be gathered from his conduct; in court-martial-

The Making of Africa.

ling and shooting the Matabele chief, UAvini. It reads a little cold-blooded now, but the act Avas no doubt warranted at the time. thriiii had acted, savagely in revolt, and had ordered his people to murder the Avhites. Colonel Baden-Powell, after reducing his stronghold Avith much trouble, captured the chief, but found him most intractable. He Avould not render any assistance toAvards the pacification of the natives, and became a source of danger Avhen they began again to mass in the neighbourhood. UAvini should have been dealt Avith by the civil power, but Colonel Baden-PoAvell took a shorter method, and had him tried on the field. He Avas found guilty, and shot. "I was sorry for him," says the commander. "He Avas a fine old savage ; but I signed his warrant, directing that he should be shot at sundoAvn." The then High Commissioner wanted to court-martial Colonel BadenPoAvell for the act; but the General interfered, and nothing came of it at the time. The shooting of the chief had a very good effect upon the Kaffirs, and saved" much bloodshed. There Avas an inquiry later, Avhen the Colonel confined his "defence to the simple statement that he did what Avas best under the circumstances.

Colonel Baden-PoAvell had a very high opinion of the colonial troops lie had under him then, as iioav, and he kneAv lioav to handle them. "A little tact," he says, " and give-and-take properly applied, reaps a good return from colonial" troops ; but the slightest slioav of domineering, 'or letter-of-the-regulations discipline is apt to turn them crusty and impossible." The style 01 officer to Avhom the colonial avouM most object is acutely drawn by Colonel Bad en - PoAvell, and is Avorth reproducing at the present time : —

The type Avhich perhaps is most of a red rag to a colonial is the highly-trained officer bound hand and foot by the rules of modern Avar, who moves his force on a matured, deliberate plan with all minutiae correctly prepared beforehand, incapable of change to meet any altered or unforeseen circumstances, and Avho has a proper contempt for nigger foe& arcl colonial allies alike.

He also describes the " old woman type — fussy, undecided, and running ignorantly into danger?.'' It is satisfactory to find Colonel Baden-Powell declaring that both these types of officers are the exception in the service.

There are very pleasant touches of humour all through the book, which extend also to the pencil sketches, for Colonel BadenPoAvell is no mean artist. Here is an entry made after himself and column had been for several days on the verge of starvation : —

I know you will ask, What is horseflesh like? Well, it is not so bad when you have got accustomed to it, and especially if you have a little salt, mustard, vegetables, etc., to go with it ; also, if you did not happen to know the deceased personally. None of these conditions were present in our case. It is one thing to say, " I'll trouble you to pass the horse, please," but quite another to say, " GiA'e me another chunk of D 15 ."

The Colonel seems to have been able to put a touch of humour into his most responsible duties. Before attacking the Chief Monogula in a mountain fastness, he Avas anxious to giA r e the Kaffirs a chance to surrender, and for that purpose, Avith one folloAvrer, he rode unarmed in front of the stronghold, Avaving a toAvel in token of Eeace. There Avas no one visible ; but he aAvled his speech so that it could be heard in the caA r es Avhere the Kaffirs Avere hiding. The speech he made he declares to have been mosU eloquent. " The men of war Avere not far behind,'" he told them, " and Avould be there before another sun rose unless tlie rebels came to talk over the situation. The great White Queen Avas getting a little vexed Avith Monogula. AH the other chiefs had surrendered, or had been licked, except him, and if he did not take, this opportunity of surrendering he would be knocked out, and his lands giA^en to another," etc. There Avas no answer, in spite of the touching allusion to the A7exation of the great White Queen. The Colonel Avas more successful with his artillery.

There are touches here and there which give a -pleasing insight into the character of the defender of Mafeking. At a deserted homestead he found the body of a three-year-old white child, murdered by the Kaffirs. He reA r erently buried the child, and kept the little shoe as a memorial. When, in spring, the wild flo Avers sprang up in the veldt, he nicknamed them bluebells, coAV&lips, snowdrops, etc., to cheat himself into the pleasant delusion that he was at Home.

JTo one can read this pleasant, chatty book without feeling that Colonel BadenPoAvell is something more than a fine soldier. He is of the very type of those grand adventurers of whom Gordon spoke as the makers of the Empire.

Education Affairs.

Althcmgh we regard it as a misfortune that the services of Mr John MacGregor should be lost to the Education Board, the result of the elections to that body are not, on the whole, \uisatisfaetory. Mr Thos. Mackenzie is a sensible man, who honestly gives his mind to anywork he takes in hand, and he has had some experience as a member of the board. The Rev. P. B. Frascr we think distinctly an acquisition. He has developed some bumptiousness of manner of late years, and he is as prone to make long-winded, speeches as he is to write voluminous letters. But he thoroughly understands the needs of the education district, and he is certainly a man of some force of character and capacity. A fresh vacancy is created by the retirement of Mr J. J.^ Ramsay, who goes out because Mr Fra.ser comes in. This retirement will not tend to raise Mr Ramsay in public estimation ; and certainly 'the speech he made in announcing his resignation^ tlioujaji it was amusing enough from

11 "' ' '■'■■■ ■ rii.i.l .. „ . a— .,«« its unconventional freedom of expr«»sictr, shows that instability is the weak sp-t in' Mr Ramsay's character. We do not doubtf that Mi* Ramsay has brought himself hon-t estly to believe that he lias honestly^ changed his mind on the merits of the Wai-' areka ca-se — which case, by the Avay, wei have not the smallest intention of now ex-* huming further than to say that we be--lieved at the time as Aye believe still, thai? Mr Eraser Avas in the right of it, and. .thafc Mr Goyen's conduct Avas at once careless and indiscreet. But the fact that Mr Ramsay remained constant to his judgment of the matter formed*" at the time, until he had quarrelled with Mr Fraser, and no longei, is sufficient reason for not taking him seriously in his tardy recantation. We aro sorry that Mr MacGregor should commit himself to someAvhat similar opinions upon the same case. It is folly to contend that a more intimate knowledge of the lavo men can alter the complexion of facts Avhich Avere practically undisputed at the time, and have remained undisputed ever since. Nor is the attitude of these two gentlemen at all complimentary to others concerned — Miss Andrews, for instance, Avhoso evidence was of the most straightforward character possible.

There is one point in connection Avith Education Board elections upon which ii> may be Avell to say a word. Accu&ativjs are occasionally made against members thai while as candidates they Avere hostile to the officials of the board, and especially of Mr Pryde, as members they ranged t-*m-selves with these officials. It may be true... but it is intelligible enough. Candidate? have found that they could get a good deal of popularity by denouncing Mr Pryd', who " is an / able but to some extent unpopular official. Afterwards, in their capacity #as members, they haA'e found tba.h, Avhile Mr Pryd&'s manner may haA>"e remained as faulty as ever, his knoAvlcdgo of the administration of the Education Act, and of all questions appertaining thereto s is naturally much greater than their own. In other Avords, that Mr Pryd* 1 hfs generally been prei-ty right where th&y have been labouring to prove, or Aviiiing to encourage the belief, that he Avas Avrong. A candid man avill, then, acknowledge his error. But it is high time thai ihe battle should cease surging round Mr Pryfle. Ho is a capable man ; he has necessarily got all the threads of the board's business in hia hand as no one else has ; and no member need be in the least degree either astonished or ashamed to find him&elf much more dependent upon Mr Prydc than Air Pryde is upon him. There Avill always be ample room for the exercise of an independent judgment on the various matters as they arise.

According to our Wellington telegrams thisi week the Otago Company of the fifth contingent is to leave here on Saturday along Avith the fourth contingent.

It has now been decided that Snhu-day next, shall be a special bank holiday in Dunedin and its vicinity. His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Chisholm) telegraphed on Monday to Mr James Coates, general manager of the National Bank, strongly urging that the banks should be closed on Saturday. The City members, the -Hon. J. G. Ward, and the Hon. A. Lee Smith also moved in the matter, and as a result the Premier rent a telegram yesterday intimating that the banks would be closed on Saturday. His Worship the Mayor also received a telegram from Mr Coates stating that the banks' objection was owing to the fact of Fiiclay being a f-ialutory holiday and the representations niai-le to the banks by some of the Chambers of Commerce complaining of the inconA'enience caused by the number and dui-ation of hank holiday c*. As his Worship, representing the citizens of Dunedin, strongly iirged closing rll day. avid in deference to the request of ihs Eight Hon. the Premier, the banks had now decided to declare Saturday a special bank holiday for Dunedin and its vicinitj-.

Applications for lea;e-> of the T'.kter&lie Settlement sections, near Oamarn, recently acquired by the Government nuclei' the Land for Settlements Act from Mr John Reid, were received ac Dunedin avul (}:>mara yesterday. The estate haa been divided into 25 farms, ranging in area from 06 a^res to £22 acres. In Dunedin nine ' r application^, v ».•» received for all but bix of the Fectious, and in Oamaru 37 applications were reeeh ed foi* all but live of the sections. 3n all, 4 6 applications were received. coA'erjiiig the Vnoie -of the. estate with the exception of section 20. The haliofc takci placa at 10 o'clock on Friday morning, at the Wear &lreet Hall, Oamaru. •

Our Palmerston correspondent Avriies:-— Another fire occurred at rahnerpton at 7.50 p.m. on Monday, whereby an eight-roomed dwelling belonging to Mr Robert John-tono was burnt to the ground, a few i^kleo of furniture, including a piano, bein. T uil that was saved. The firs, I believe, a\u-> eaii&ed Lv some of the children allowing a c^vJle to come into contact with the curtains of one of the bedrooms, the fire spreading so iapic'ly that nothing could be done to save tho blinding and contents. Fortunately there was no wind at the time, otherwise more d^jni-ge might have resulted. The London and Lancashire office had a risk of £50 on the famiture, but I cannot at present ascertain what amount or office had the risk on the building-. Mr Johnstone had only lately completed the purchase of the property, and is a heaAT" loser.

Mr J. W. Kelly, the la.te member for In> vercargill, was tendered a complimentary social on Monday evening, preA'ious to his departure for Gore. The Trades and Labour Council presented Mr Kelly with a clock and barometer, and the Star Football Club, of Avhich he was president, gaA'e him a handsome silver teapot, Avhile he Avas made the recipient of a purse of sovereigns, representing in value three figures, from his friends.

The Rev. J. Rule, Presbyterian minister, delivered a sermon at Paoroa on the Avar. In referring to the pro-Boer feeling, he said those who took sides Avith the Boers and at the same time enjoyed all the privileges of the British Empire should be transported to the Tiansvaal, and there learn by personal experience the lob of the Uitlander.

Two tons of Mr "William White, of Kaikora, have taken passages to Capetown with the, object of joining the Cape Light HorgeL