Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-09-30
Officers Opinion on Merits Of Rifles
to be Used in South Africa.
ENGLAND WANTS no FIGHT.


London. Sept a0.-lspcclal London
Gable Lcttcr-C Copyrighted. 1893. by the
Associated Press. l-Comment regarding
the personnel and material VI the Brit
iah force which In cSpeotsiitn b. light
ing within a short time IN South Afri-
ca. continues 10 occupy large share of
public attention Many criticisms APP
pear. blaming the government fOr not
permitting tho war office some months
ago TO put an adequate defense force on
the probable scene OF action. hut tho
rumou OF the forthcoming departure
VI an army corps somewhat appvusc
the critics
II l. almost certain that Con. Sir
Redyvra Bullcr the former adJutant
general, will have supreme command
In South Africa. In the meantime, the
military responsibility IL divided be-
tween Major General Sir George
stewart White and Lieutenant
General Sir Frederick william
Forester Walker. the latter at the Cape
ana the former Ia Natal, each being
supreme over his own ata. Den.
white. who ia described as IA lighting
man, keen as mustard" has not yct
arrived In Natal Upon him viii de-
yolyc the duty " checking any dcHul-
tory hoer raids. or In ease OF actual
hoHtllities.of holding Natal until Gen.
Buffers army corps arrives when the
aggressive British campaign Will prob
ully occur Some dissatisfaction IL cN-
pressed because Gen. White has never
served in south Africa. Il Is generally
thought that his lghtlng abilities viii
moro than make up his lack OF topu-
graphical knowledge, Under Generals
White and Walker viii be host OF
officers specially selected for their
lftANNINNaF.s ar tftaNlts4Na
African campaigning.
Gen. Sir william Symond, Gen.
whites second Ia command, IN one uf
the few survivors OF the massacre OF
lsandlwhana.
The artillery In Natal viii be COM
manded by Col Downing, late chief In
structor at the school OF gunnory.
shoeburyness, who has the highest
scientific and practical reputation. com.
pairing somewhat with Rear Admiral
Snmpaon'n reputation In the United
states navy as an ordnance officer.
MAI Gen. French. commanding the
cavalry, ~ u dashlug officer, and served
through the carly Egyptian campaign
lnEs.
Much has been said regarding the
physical uniltneHs Of large percentage
Of the British rank ana file going 10
South Africa or already there. 4 great
difference OF opinion on the subject eN-
lists. But Il can be- said that the rcgl.
mcnta selected are believed to have The
highest standard OF physique and are
all comparatively long service mon.
Many OF the British officers believe
the AiuuHer, with which the Docra are
armed, b. superior 60 tho Lee Aietford.
of the British forces, against civilized
troops a small arms expert said To "a
reporter OF the Associated Press.
The Mctford viii stop Hayngca.
but that Is not the object which Is most
desirable when lighting against civil
lied forces. Under wcll-mnnagrd
Mnuser IRE troops VIII come on drop
ping gradually from the effect OF gnlllnu
wounds ana not realizing the necassity
uf cover or retreat until, when within
the deadly zone, they lind half their
number disabled aud unable 60 face Tho
fun weight Of short range firing. In
other words, Mausor armed troops are
more deceptive 10 the enemy than
those armed with -Metfords. thc
eject NJ the latter being Immediately
Visible Ca the officers deciding the fight"
The Indian and Australian horses will
be- much used by the cavalry. and
mounted Infantry Will probably suffer
more from the change N country than
the men, being Obliged 90 live on oats
aud mealics, a form uf fodder they are
utterly unnCcustomcd 20,
The apparent inclination OF the secre-
tary OF state for war. the Marquis ~
LansdOwne, TO run the campaign prem
uratlons ON his own ideas and his ten
dency tn consult subordinate officers
have called forth published reminder
that he has capable commander In
charge at his elbow. Some comparisons
are made na 10 the status OF Field Mar
shall Lord Wolseley, compared with that