In spite of the somewhat alarmist way in which the
news was conveyed to the nation, there was not the slightest sign of panic. The one idea was to go on at all costs and carry the thing through, and if anxiety was shown, it was only as regards the best means of securing success. It is also a pleasure to record the, there was no unfair or harsh criticism of the generals. But though we agree that the generals have done well enough, and will not be blamed by us either for their strategy or their tactics, we have ventured to put on record elsewhere a protest against their telegraphic style, We must add that there was something quite admirable in the way in which the public generally met the few suggestions that have been made that it may turn out after all impossible to beat the Boers, owing to the difficulties of the ground. It reminds one of the old Indian story of the subaltern who was ordered to take a gun up to the top of an apparently in- accessible hill. After several ineffectual attempts, he re- turned to his superior officer and reported the feat to be impossible. "Impossible, Sir," was the reply, " impossible P— why I've got the order for it in my pocket." The subaltern went back and succeeded. " Impossible P why the order's been given to do it," is the feeling of the nation when it is told that it may prove impossible to drive the Boers out of Natal.
