It may be that the decision will at the last
moment go as the Daily Mail expects, and as we incline to believe. But even if hostilities nominally begin again, we do not believe that they will last very long. Our military position has improved greatly during the past six weeks. We have not only had no' losses, but we have got many thousands of fresh men and fresh horses. Again, our. soldiers and the horses already in the field have in many places been able to rest and recoup their strength. The Boers, on the other hand, have not only had their forces reduced by some two or three thousand men owing to captures and surrenders, but have been using up supplies which are difficult to replenish. If, then, fighting begins again, it begins with the ad- vantage on our side. The country must remember this in its disappointment should the war be renewed. It must also remember that it would be infinitely better now to begin another six months' war than to make unwise concessions. It seems to us that the attitude which Lord Milner should adopt, and we do not doubt will adopt, is this. He should make no concession merely intended to finish the war more quickly and end a disagreeable and weary struggle. He should make every concession that will conduce to the future welfare of South Africa, to a sound and friendly settlement, and to the establishment of permanent good relations between us and the Boers.
