The change of opinion among the graver journals of Europe
in consequence of Lord Roberts's victories appears to be nearly complete. The Russian newspapers are still almost hysterical with anger, but the German and French writers sorrowfully admit that affairs look black for the Boers, and call upon the British people to take this opportunity of making peace. That, they say, would be "true magnanimity," their idea of the fitting peace being a recoil to the status quo. It is acknowledged everywhere that there will be no intervention. Many Frenchmen complain openly —the feeling is traceable even in hi. Desohaners sea- Bible speech—that their Government is not bolder, but the majority complain most that the German Emperor will not take up the quarrel of civilisation. We note that a few papers are still confident that the British will be exposed to a true guerilla war, their writers forgetting that the Boers have farms to protect and cultivate, and have no England behind them, as the Spaniards had, to provide them with money and provisions. The military papers begin to acknow- ledge that Boer strategists can blunder, and one or two thoughtful civilians are pointing out that if England is so bad a Power, to compel her to adopt the conscription cannot be wise, What might she not do with two millions of trained men ?
Previous page
