THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1, 4 January 1900, Page 4

THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORIT IES.

Of the many absurdities of the Daily Mail is its attempt (says the Catholic Times) to hold Sir William Butler responsible because the British preparations for war in South Africa were not more advanced. Childish journalism of that kind is amusing. Sir William filled the position of deputy for Sir Alfred Milner whilst he was on his holidays, and he made clearly known his opinion that what South Africa wanted was not a surgical operation, but rest. The men on whom the responsibility falls are the Colonial Secretary and Sir Alfred Milner, who contemplated war and exercised authority — one as a member of the Cabinet and the other as High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief at the Cape.