Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-15
SUSTAINING TRADITIONS.

F3tThere seems no question that IN the
|FAnglo-Boer war the best traditions OF
tho British soldier as a fighter have been
sustained As respects valor both DILL
Gers and men have responded magniii-
Gently 10 every demand that has been
made upon them. They have accomplish
ed all that pride. courage. dash ana
willingness TO 90 or die could have been
expected to accomplish under the con-
ditions with which they have been con-
fronted.
But at this distance it would appear
that the best or worst traditions of Bri-
fish generalship, for stupidity, fatuous
overconfdonce, contempt for the enemy
and failure to prole By experience have
also been sustained. In every reverse the
British have met this seems to be Illus
trated. The words "blundering' and
2 sduped" seem to be stamped prominent
w across the stories Of Nicholson's Neck
Stormberg, and Methuon's engagement
of Monday at Magersfontein 1T would
appear that in each case the men were
rushed blindly against force OF un-
known numbers and OF unknown strate-
eic DISPOSITION, or 1t was assumed that
they could walk over whatever opposed
them. In the news of no one of the de-
feats are caution, the eyes oil the
army" and the lesson of experience In
evidence. If we eliminate the mule run
away incident and consequent loss OF am
munition from the Nich0lson's Neck al
fair. the three are pretty much Of a piece
while the disaster TO GatacPe at storm
berg and the repulse OF Methuen at
Magersfontein are especially akin. Gata-
ere sent comparatively small column
against foe that tar exceeded IN
strength his calculation, and his men
were surprised and fired upon while In
mass and before they could get into
Rghting formation. At Magersiontein
part of Methuen's force had somewhat
ike reception. one cabcgram says: I'm
suspecting that the Beers were III the
vicinity, the British were stu marching
quarter column in close order, when trey
met a terrible fire from the TANKS, ana
were forced to retire with heavy loss
Another says: when the Gordon High
landers were sent forward the Beers al
lowed them TO pass one line of trenches,
and then ennladed them And accord
ing TO stil another: AT daybreak Mon
day the Highlanders advanced TO the at
tack. Seemingly before they hai deploy-
ed. white they were still in close forna-
ton. they were received with terrible
fire by the Beers, who had drawn them
4. 20 ~
reverses under discussion, the eNplana-
ton has been made that the British have
been used to fighting savages and semi
savages But that will not serve 10 dis
sIpate the impression that they have a
genius for walking into traps and disre-
garding experience.
The fact is that British col
amns have aforetime been dmbus-
caded and cut TO pieces in both
the Soudan and the mountains of
India, and there is good reason for
the statement that these disasters were
due 10 the same causes that led to the
reyerses in the present war Besides
In the eighteen years that have elapsed
since Majuba Hin the British do not
seem 10 have digested the warning of
that blunder and exhibition of ovorconh-
ience, or improved those years in the
study OF the Boer character and ability
10 conduct a campaign
Again, we are told that allowance
ought TO be made for the country II
which the British are fghting-that al
their reverses have been in territory
composed almost entirely of mountains
and ravinos. and Offering ideal places TO
arranging ambuscades and the employ
ment Of the peculiar tactics of the Beers
But that statement will hardly help TIN
matter in the eyes of the average reader
1t would seem that these facts woui'
naturally conduce TO more than ord.nar.
caution on the part OF the British gene
rails
However, be the worlds judgment wha
II may as 10 the faults OF British gene
ralship, none can fail 10 applaud IN
manly way In which White. Gatacre, an
Methuen have accepted the responsible
Of their respective defeats, and honestl
exposed themselves TO the criticism tina
is being Ievelled against them More
over, since Nicholson's Neck unquestion
ably taught White lesson. and he ha
retrieved that disaster as far as IL wa
In any mans power so 10 do. II may, be