The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-22

WHAT JOuBERT MAY DO.
Probably the Boer movement was curbed
bv the defeat at Glencoe. but it seems
reasonable to believe, judging from the de-
termination and fanaticism Of the Boer
forces. that they will sooner or later. any,
way before Buller's corps takes the field.
return TO the fray with redoubled aggres-
siveness in a desperate attempt TO break the
backbone of General Whites force. having
previously endeavored to weaken 1t by feint
and flank movements. Such supposition
regarding the Boer plans Is based on the
belied that Commandant General Joubert's
main object is to break up or rout General
Whites command before the British REIN
forcements arrive. But 1t is possible the
willy Boer general has carefully concealed
strategy which he intends to carry out in
an unexpected direction and that the at
tack upon General White on Friday was
merely intended TO deceive the British as
TO the main objective. Reliable news from
the Beers is so difficult to secure in London
that it is impossible to predict with any
degree of certainty what the next few
weeks are likely to bring forth.
The Associated Press learns that the plans
of Sir Redvers Butler, subject to finding ON
his arrival that the complexion of the cam
paign is not entirely changed, are to have
four divisions each little army in itself
and each capable of meeting the full
strength OF the Beers. AS mis- forces will
exceed $4,000 men this is regarded as feas-
ible. With three armies he intends to in
wade the Transvaal from different points,
possibly leading the principal force through
the Free State, and sending the other TO
hold Natal.
Expert military opinion, as ascertained by
the Associated Press, is inclined to favor a
single line of operations. unless the in
vader has a tremendous preponderance of
strength. Although few are willing to criti-
else General Buffers admitted military
genius without knowledge of the informa-
tion upon which he has based his estimate
Of the Boer forces there is growing feel
ing that the war VIII eventually resolve it
self into a guerrilla campaign, and many
references are made in this connection to
the progress of the American forces in the
Philippines. Several Englishmen who have
lived among the Beers. but are now in Lon
don, assert that the Beers will never stick
to their artillery. and there is unanimous
feeling among those who know the Trans
vaal and its inhabitants that the Boer artil-
lery will cut a small figure only after the
first month.
BOERS HAVE FEW BAYONETS.
The explanation of this is two-fold. In the
first place most of the Beers are unaccus-
toned to fighting according to the methods
required In conjunction with heavy artil-
lery; and. secondly, most Of them are armed
with the rifle only. Comparatively few have
bayonets, revolvers or swords and 1t is a
military impossibility for men to stand up
cho
sess some arm in addition to the rifle.
Hence. the alternative when the cold steel
threatens is to desert the guns. 1t is not
believed the Beers will suffer so much by
the loss of artillery as might at first be
thought. Unncumbered by guns, they re-
gain that mobility. which. in the previous
war, proved such thorn In the side of our
organized troops.
cooperation Of army and navy is given in
the action of Captain Lambton. command
ing the British frst-class protected cruiser
Powerful, while on the way to the Cape.
Calling at Mauritius he found line regi-
ment that had been ordered to Durham un-
able to leave for want of transport. With
out awaiting instructions, he embarked the
whole regiment on board the Powerful and
landed them at Cape Town, making an ex-
ira quick passage for their benefit.
War talk reigns supreme everywhere in
England. London Is teeming with people
notable socially, but what cares London for
society when troops are piling into trans
ports and when everybody. from her Maj
esty down, is saying Goodbye God
bless you,'' and "Good luck to you." The
newsboys are fairly reveling in their " or
rible slaughters," and the ordinarily pacific
stock brokers talk necessarily of strategic
and military tactics.
There is nothing of the traditional shop
keeper element visible in British character
since the first shot was fired. A multitude
Of military details flood all classes of pub
Iications and almost everybody who has
ever been in South Africa takes the first
opportunity TO air his views as to the fight
ing capabilities of the Beers, the result be-
ing a marvellous mass of conflicting the
cries.
The news of yesterdays fighting In Natal
made a tremendous sensation. and the
pluck and dash of the Kings Royal Rifles
and the Dublin Fusileers greatly stimulated
the universal enthusiasm. The total Brit
ish force at Camp Glencoe. according to
the reports Immediately preceding the an
nouncement of the engagement, include the
Eighteenth Hussars. the Natal Mounted
Voluntees, the first battalion of the
Leicestershire Regiment, the First Kings
Royal Rifles, the Second Dublin Fusieers
the Devonshire Regiment, the Dorsetshire
Regiment, several companies of mounted
infantry, and three field batteries. total
Of about four thousand men, opposed to a
Boer force estimated at twice that number
and possibly reaching higher figure. This
very disparity between the combatants
gives an additional element of fascination
to the history of the day.
INOCULATED AGAINST FEVER.
Ore Of the most curious features Of the
| mobilization of the army has been the in
| ocuation of the troops against enteric
fever. This was not made compulsory. but
| the company commanders were instructed
| to urge the men to allow themselves TO be
| iroculated, and most of them have under
| gone the ordeal. Although medical men
differ greatly as to the utility of the virus.
| the percentage of enteric fever in the Brit
| ish ranks will be eagerly watched by for
| eign military experts. Should 1t turn out
| to be remarkably small. 1t is more than
likely that all the European troops will be
| inoculated before going to countries infest-
| ed by the enteric germ.
The War Office continues to receive offers
| for volunteer service from all parts of the
| country. Col. Sir Charles Edward Howard
| Vincent has repeated his proposal to raise
| a thousand marksmen for service In South