It seems clear that Sir G. P. Colley, an officer
of great ability, whose experience has been gained in fighting half-civilised races, like most such officers, underrated a white enemy not in uniform. The Boers, though reluctant to fight in the open, being too few, are very brave men, excellent sharpshooters, and accustomed. in their native wars to seize every advantage of position. It was most imprudent to attack them without greater numbers, though the imprudence may have been justi- fied by the danger of Pretoria. The next engagement will be a bloody one, and the chances are not improved by the humane and courteous treatment which, as Sir George Colley telegraphs, the Boers bestow upon the wounded and prisoners. So far from " butchering" them, as was at first reported, they release them, under a promise not to fight again. A sympathy with the Boers is being manifested. all over South Africa, the Burghers employed in Basutoland in particular having refused to fight any longer. It is worthy of notice that Sir G. Colley, who frankly admits his disaster, is most careful to repu- diate charges against the Boors, accords them belligerent rights, and up to the engagement was in constant communica- tion with them. His policy is probably dictated in the main by common-sense, for we want these men. to surrender, not to die fighting ; but it is also affected. by the consideration theft English soldiers and settlers, perhaps 2,000 in number, may shortly he at the mercy of the Boers.
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