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Show HOW LOIiD HUBERTS HUMILIATED CR0XJE New York, Feb. 28. A special to the World from Washington says: Continental Conti-nental diplomats accept the defeat of General Cronje in grim silence. None will consent to be quoted for any expression, ex-pression, except that the issue is What miglht have been expected. One of the attaches, who has himself served as a soldier, however, said: "There is one aspect of the capitulation capitu-lation of General Cronje which is hu miliating to every soldier, mere 13 a brotherhood of chivalry which binds all professional soldiers. Violation of the delicate amenities which govern the conduct of members of our profession is a reflection upon the order of chivalry chiv-alry as much today as it was when knighthood was in flower. "General Cronje made a gallant defense. de-fense. At the cost of the utmost sacrifice sacri-fice and pain, he stopped the victorious Lord Roberts and held his ground until his hard-pressed countrymen could form for a final defense. "The fact tohat Lord Roberts and his lieutenant. Lord Kitchener, compelled the valorous .Cronje to the bitter humiliation hu-miliation of presenting himself at the tent of his conqueror as a suppliant for the miserable boon of unconditional surrender, is a requital of bravery not consistent with chivalrous conduct. Soldiers throughout the world will be amazed. There was no possible excuse. The fact that the British commanders miigiht have apprehended treachery is flimsy. The British were strons enough to have executed the army, were any violation of war committed. "Cronje has been a brave foe. He made no discrimination between the wounded British and his own people; all were treated alike, as was shown when the hospital at Jacobsdal was captured two weeks ago. The bitter humiliation put upon him is a stain upon' Christian knighthood. It is without with-out a parallel. . "Contrast the conduct of Lords Roberts Rob-erts and KHchener with that of the victorious vic-torious "Schley -and Shafter. The utmost, ut-most, courtesy was shown to their overthrown over-thrown foes. Philips' 'Don't cheer, men;' they are dying,' will stand in contrast con-trast to the conduct of the genera'.s who .-compelled a gallant foeman.who had 'battled against tremendous odele to come as a humble suppliant even to the very doors of -their tents, to beg for, his brave soldiers that they might ignominiously surrender. "..j"This" ruthless; overbearing conduct will, have . an effect upon civilization. Those who claim they admire, fair play should exhibit some of the elements of the chivalry .which is the real bai.? of gentlemanly --.conduct. Soldiers will remember this treatment, and it is possible pos-sible -that on another day it may be returned with interest." |
