SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 01, Issue 9, 1 June 1900, Page 82

SOUTH AFRICA.

The most thrilling episode of the Transvaal War has undoubtedly been the sudden and

satisfactory ending of the long-drawn-out suspense as to the ultimate fate of the beleagured Mafeking. The world rings with the gallant defence of its indomitable commander and the band of officers and men who proved themselves worthy of such a chief. For a time even Lord Roberts' strategy in planning the relief and timing it almost to an hour, and all else, was forgotten, and Colonel Baden Powell was the most worshipped man in all parts of the earth where the English tongue is spoken, or the brave English soldier revered and respected. While not desiring to abate one jot of the gallant Colonel's hero-worship, it is a little surprising that more mention has not been made of his right-hand man, Lord Edward Cecil. The conclusion of this war, which has been so pregnant with surprises, is now within oasy distance, and Kruger's sole consolation will be that he has made the British soldier an adept at a new fashion of warfare, assisted to consolidate oar empire, and arrived at the inevitable, principally at his own and his country's expense.