General Sir F. W. E. Forestier-Walker, commanding lines of communication, inspecting Volunteers on Green Point Common; Capetown Highlanders marching past.] CHAPTER XI. THE NATION UNDER DEFEAT. Critical position of Great Britain--Her prestige in danger--Crass ignorance of military affairs--German system--Responsibility of Statesmen and Generals--Government unprepared--Necessity of reorganisation--Former national crises--Measures taken for defence--Change of Generals--Lord Roberts' military career--Lord Kitchener in the Sudan--Embarkation for South Africa--General Hector Macdonald--Offers of the Colonies--Australian and Canadian contingents--Mr. Seddon's loyal speech--Volunteers from Asiatic dependencies--London's contribution--Imperial Yeomanry--Gloomy outlook. [Illustration: _S. Begg._] [_By permission of the "Illustrated London News," from the large photogravure published by them._ HER MAJESTY RECEIVING NEWS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.] [Sidenote: Critical position of Great Britain.] [Sidenote: DEC. 1899.] _The Empire in Peril._] Thus three times within the space of a single week had the British columns marched forth to defeat. The Army Corps, the much-trusted Generals, had gone out to South Africa, and yet there was nothing of that irresistible tide of success which, it was fondly hoped, would sweep away the Boer oligarchy. The results of the week's battles were 2,600 British soldiers dead, wounded, or in the enemy's hands, and complete checkmate in every field of the war. Kimberley, Mafeking, and Ladysmith had not been relieved; far from it, the forces which were to have achieved this eagerly desired result were themselves, it seemed, in grave danger. Lord Methuen might at any time be cut off from his base; General Gatacre might be driven back to the sea; even General Buller, with 20,000 British troops on the line of the Tugela, might be in peril, if only the Boers were equal to their opportunities. And dangers even more terrible than these loomed upon the stormy horizon. How if the Cape burst into rebellion and the Dutch there threw in their lot with their victorious kinsmen? How if our enemies of the Continent seized upon the occasion to overthrow the Empire? Nowhere had Britain a friend. France, Russia, and Germany were equally outspoken in bitter and contemptuous criticism. Not the Governments, but the nations of the Continent hated and envied us in equal degree, and if only the signal for attack had been given, would have rushed upon us with malignant ardour. But the Governments, though they bore us no goodwill, waited and hesitated. Much depended upon Russia, and the Czar, the young Nicholas, played a part at this juncture which the British nation will remember with gratitude. He set his face firmly against any treacherous attack. He restrained his war party and declined to profit by our