The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-27 00:00:00

BRITISH TACTICS IN THE SOITDAN
WAR.

At the Royal United Service Institution, Major
C. Cowper King, R.M.A., lectured on the tactics
carried out by her Majesty's troops in the Soutlan
war. There was a large attendance, among those
present being Generals Lord Chelmsford, Lord Mark
Kerr. Sir Beauchamp Walker, Sir 'W. Wilbraham,
Sir Edward' liamley, Maaseys Manson, George, and.
Smythe, Colonels Bouldersori; Swaine, and Hamil-
ton-Grace, Major Frederic E. Walter, R.A., and
Major Gunter. The chair was taken by Colonel Sir
Lumley Graham.
The lecturer began by remarking that many of
those who theoretically studied the art of war had
viewed with more or less disfavour the method of
fighting that had been lately adopted for meeting
savage tribes. Squares had gradually assumed an
authoritativelyrecognised position as the most suitable
tactical formation for such wars, in preference to those
which were in use half a century ago, and that with-
out reference, as a rule, to the number of men en-
gaged. Notwithstanding the enormous improvement in
arms and equipment of modern European armies, we
seemed to be insensibly drifting into a permanent
adoption of formations that had, under every condi-
tion, some unavoidable elements of weakness. No one
who had read the account of the battles in Zululand
or the Soudan but must fully recognise the self-denial
and bravery of those who fought there. The circum-
stances attendant on each campaign were so peculiar
as to necessitate special tactics. In the Zulus we met
brave savages badly armed but led by skilful leaders,
and with a tactical system that was new among such
people. In the Soudan we found a still braver adver-
sary, equally indifferently armed, and who showed an
even more splendid indifference to death. Without
as much organization as Cetywayo's host, they pos-
sessed a daring religious fanaticism which took the
place of skill. It was admitted that these exceptional
circumstances must be dealt with at the time as best
they could, that some means of successfully engaging
such adversaries must be devised on the spur of the
moment, and that—good, had, or indifferent—they
should not be subject to an immediate hostile criticism.
But after hostilities had ceased they might well be
submitted to friendly examination. He then discussed
the " tactical periads " which European armies had
passed through in the last century, and described the
causes of the various changes of formation. He con-
demned the square formation used against the
Soudanese as giving the narrowest front of fire,
pointing out that it had many inherent weaknesses,
lacked mobility, and was difficult to manceuvre, even
with rigidly drilled troops, over bad ground. The
square had four weak points at its angles, and their
danger only lessened in fighting from their becoming
flattened. There could be no question as to the
necessity of the square when the numbers were small.
At Abu Klea and Abu Kru Sir Herbert Stewart and
Sir Charles Wilson had no choice, all the more from
the amount and slowness of the transport. The
lecturer advocated a broader front formation to meet
the Soudanese than could be given by the square, on
the ground that the Soudanese tactics were mainly
those of shock and charge, are seeming quite
secondary. They sought to close with their adver-
sary, and this being so, it would certainly appear that
the main object of the formation to resist them
should be stash as would prevent their closing at all.
A bold rush was best stopped by the rain of bullets.
He then sketched out a series of tactics, on the
battalion basis, having four companies in firing lino
and the other four companies in square behind to
protect the rear and contain the transport. He
suggested that the troops in the rear might be in
oblong formation, the long faces towards the enemy.
With a brigade the centre battalion might be in line,
the other two battalions being either partly deployed
or partly in square on each flank, in echelon, accord-
ing to the ground and the enemy's position.
In the discussion which followed, many suggestions
were made and various views were expressed.
Colonel Sweeney described tactics which he had
practised whereby he could easily move up a brigade
to take tin octagonal or diamond form from the three
battalions moving in echelon of companies.
General Sir E. Hamlyn thought that the adoption
of the square was fraught with the elements of great
peril and disaster, and quoted eminent authorities in
support of his view. Practical experience, he said,
had shown that the square was a "horrible forma-
tion," presenting a huge target, which even the worst
marksmen could not fail to hit. It was unwieldy,
and was almost impossible to maintain. The square
should never be adopted except in case of absolute
necessity. In the Soudan, it seemed to have been
established that our men had fallen from their com-
rades' bullets, and he had the testimony of eye-
witnesses which went to confirm the view that the
square in such cases was bad for offence and defence.
He would suggest the alternative formation of echelon
for moving; the line formation would prevent an
enemy such as the Soudanese from closing.
Colonel Lonsdale Hare remarked that it seemed
to be thought that the' eminent British commander
who in Africa, the Soudan, and other places had
promptly adopted the square must be "muffs." Then
mufash tactics had been adopted by other countries
as well, and some of the 'critics were of the class who
thought that Napoleon could be taught something,
who Could correct Wellington, and had something to
say about Moltke.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the
lecturer.

SPORTING PROSPECTS IN THE HIGH-
LANDS OF SCOTLAND.

Sporting prospects in the Highlands of Scotland
are regarded as on the whole very favourable. Daring
the winter it may be said there was no snow, and
although there was a late spring, grass has now conic
on very well, and deer are reported in capital condi-
tion. It is expected that before the season opens
stags will be unusually fit. Grouse prospects are also
very favourable. Notwithstanding the sharp snow-
storms experienced late in spring, which probably
destroyed nests, especially on the higher grounds, un-
commomy numerous coveys have been seen, and a
few of them comprising as many as 12 birds. Fortu-
nately, grouse were late in pairing, and to this circum-
stance mainly the satisfactory breeding results are to
be attributed. Unless something unforeseen occurs
the coming grouse season will have to be included
among the good seasons. In the Braemar district
stags have been seen in better condition, but many of
them are showing finely developed antlers. Some of
the progeny of the recently imported stags to Mar
Lcdge have of late joined and associated successfully-
with the wild herds in the forest. They are a mani-
fest improvement on the old breed, alike in head and
carcase. In many districts the stock of partridges is ex-
tensive. and almost everywhere ground game is plenti-
ful. A considerable number of shootings have
changed bands, among them the following: Mr.
Charles Watson, Brighton, has taken Findrack ; Sir
Spencer MaryonWilson,Edinglassie ; Major Blackwoc d,
Asloun • and Mr. Crichton, Hacldo, in Aberdeenshire.
In Forarshire, Kilry has been taken by Mr. Lister;
Cammook by Mr. Gourley; and Balnaboth by Mr.
Ames Van Wart. In Inverness-shire, Crubenmore
has been taken by Mr. Johnson, Kiltnalin by Mr. G.
Moore, Traigh by General Gordon, Curour Forest by
Mr. Tennent of Dunalistair, Tornatin by Mr. Thor-
burn Maclaine, Flichity by Mr. Emil Reiss, South
Drumouchter by M. Berthemy, and Glen Gilort by
Mr. Smart. Mr. Halford has taken Blair Adam,
Kinrossshire. In Perthshire, Stuartfield has been let
to Mr. Howat, Inverhadden to Mr. Walker, Tomna-
grew to Mr. Kinmond, Inverchroskie to Mr. Hankey,
Stronphadrich to the Earl of Darnley, Balernund to
Miss Reynolds. Coillievrockan to Mrs. Drummond,
Balmyle and Pearsie to Mr. Buckley, Badnaraheist to
Mr. Thomas, Braco to Mr. Gow, Finnart to Mr.
Wertheimer, Pitcarmiek to Mr. Cowan, Ashintully
Moor to Captain Burbidge; Cl-arvock to Mr. Neilson,
Trinaf our to Mr. Collins, and Glenlochsie to Captain
Montague Macdonald. The lets to date are fewer
than they have been at the same period for many
yeas past, and the circumstance is set down to the
unsettled political prospects.

PEASANT PROPRIETORS IN
BULGARIA.
In view of the social problems now being discussed
in the United Kingdom, Tice-Consul Dalziel has
drawn up a report with regard to the amount of land
possessed and cultivated by the peasant proprietors in
Bulgaria. The Bulgarian peasants are placed in
three categories, according to their wealth. Peasants
of the fir,t class each possess about 44 acres of land,
those of the second (by far the larger class) about 27
acres, and those of the third about 16 acres. The
peasant has also a number of grazing rights. Mr.
Dalziel says that the amount of money capital,
required to stock a Bulgarian farm is much smaller
than it would be in Britain; the great bulk of it is
invested in beasts and seed-corn. Mr. Dalziel gives
a long description of a peasant's house, which, exclu-
sive of labour, may be built at a total money outlay
of about £5. His conclusion is that the Bulgarian
peasants "are very well off, although they may not
I have much money to spend."