Something might probably be done to block the channel through which the enemy derives some of his resources and some of his information.  The telegraph cable at Delagoa Bay might with advantage have its shore end lifted into a British man-of-war.  There must be ways and means of stopping all intercourse through Portuguese territory between the Transvaal and the sea.  That this is desirable is manifest, and to such cases may be applied the maxim, “Where there is a will there is a way.”

The idea seems to be spreading that this war must lead to a thorough overhauling and recasting of the British military organisation.  But if you are to make a bigger army, an army better suited to the times and to the needs of the Nation, you must begin by getting a competent army-creating instrument.  You cannot expect a Cabinet of twelve or eighteen men ignorant of war to create a good war-fighting machine.  You cannot entrust the organisation of your Army to any authority but the Government, for the body that creates your Army will govern you.  The only plan that will produce the result required is to give authority over the making and using of the Army to a man or men who understand War—­War as it is to-day.  In short, a Nation that is liable to War requires men of War in its Government, and, in the case of Great Britain, the place for them is in the Cabinet.  The traditional practice of having a civilian Minister inside the Cabinet with all the authority, and a soldier with all the knowledge outside the Cabinet, was devised for electioneering purposes, and not for war.  The plan has answered its object very well for many years, having secured Cabinets against any intrusion of military wisdom upon their domestic party felicity.  But now that the times have changed, and that the chief business of a Cabinet is to manage a war, it seems unwise to keep the military judgment locked out.  Party felicity was valuable some years ago when there was a demand for it; but the fashions have changed.  To-day the article in demand is not eloquence nor the infallibility of “our side,” whichever that may be; the article in demand to-day is the organisation of victory.  That is not to be had at all the shops.  Those who can supply it are very special men, who must be found and their price paid.  The Nation has given bail for the production of this particular article, and if it is not forthcoming in time the forfeit must be paid.  The bail is the British Empire.

MORE AWAKENING

December 21st, 1899

A week ago, while we were thinking over failure in the Cape Colony on both lines of advance, we could still hope for success on what circumstances had made the most important line, in Natal.  But now there has been failure in Natal also.