The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-18
ENGLAND'S PLANS FOR WAR.
Az ARMY or 5O,O0O MIN TO FIGHT
~ THE TRANSTlAL

HoAtilltles Degin-Control of tho Black
Tribes an Important Part of tho Work
Tho Russian lee Breakers work-British
Postal stntistics-Tho Cricket Problem
Sir william Crookes's Book on wheat.
LONDON. Sept. S.-hen's minds are in a
wavcrinR state as to tho issue OF the long
drawn -out crisis in the Transvaal. Ivory ono
felt that to-day's Cabinet meeting was of the
greatest moment. 1t il long since 40 great n
crowd assembled in Whitehall TO watch the
Ministers come together. and later on to sec
them depart That they have met Is all that 10
yet known to any save themselves. Indeed. to
those who banker after sensation this Cabinet
meeting. called at such an unusual time Of the
year. was distinct disappointment 1t only
lasted Tor two hours and twenty-five minutes.
nounusual length for a Ministerial Council. and
as they left Downing street II was the subject
OF general remark that the ministers were
chatting gaily together and hetraying no APP
pearance that would suggest n situation OF ex-
ceptlonal gravity" But no matter how we'll
echoolsd may be the countenancs OF Cabinet
Minister. there can be no doubt that this after
Moons discussion was OF the greatest import.
That it did not transgress tho time limit Of an
ordinary meeting simply goes to prove that
the Cabinet IL united and the Nom bers did not
II the issue be war. England will have on her
hands a campaign OF no trining description.
That the Government fully realizes this In
shown by the preparations already made. In
addition to the corps troops and others for the
lines OF communication. the War ONCE Is pre-
pared to place under orders at any moment the
following troops now at home Two cavalry
brigade consisting otthc First Royal Dragons
the Royal Scots Grcys and the Sixth Inniskill-
ing Dragons. tho Sixth Dragon Guards. the
Tenth Hussars and the Twelfth Iancers. A
Guards brigade Of four battalons will be taken
from tho Grenadiers. tho Coldstreams and the
Scots. There will be three brigades Of national"
character. English. Highland and Irish. In ad-
dition to these there will be Fusilier brigade
and Light Infantry brigade. Nearly all the
transport companies in Adershot will he en-
ployed. and at least four regiments now on
homo service will be among the troops en-
ployed on tho lines Of communication. The
First-class Army Reserve as o whole
will not be called upon. but sufficient re-
servists OF the regiments chosen will be taken
to make up tho battalions to establishment.
after casting out all unfit for service. num-
Der OF howItzer batteries will be employed.
There are already 10000 troops in South
Africa and 10000 white troops are In readiness
in India to be transported. conssting Of
cavalry brigade. nm infantry brigade and
brigade OF field artillery. together with tho
usual miscellaneous units Great Britain
would thus put in the field the greatest army
that she has sent abroad since the Crmea al
together perhaps some $4,000 men. 1t is true
that 10000 men were massed on the Indian
frontier in the late uprising OF the mountain
tribes. but these included native troops and the
regular force maintained in India. In South
Africa none but white troops will be employed.
ard they will form the greatest army England
has despatched to fight under modern condi-
tons.
And all this force to tackle n small republic
which. at tho outside, can put $4,000 men In
the field" 10 an exclamation one frequently
hears these last few days. 1t may seem rather
like taking steam hammer to crack a hazel
nut. but in reality this 10 not So In the first
place It would tako at least three weeks after
the outbreak or declaration OF hostilities to get
these troops to South Africa In the mean
time it is we'll on the cards that the Beers may
have made q good start which. for tho sake OF
British prestige" must be thoroughly and
speedily wiped out. England has a holy hor-
ror OF another Majuba Hill. Then ngaln the
Beers tactics are such that superiority in num-
bers must be employed to overcome them A
pitched battle on fair fighting field is greater
good luck than the English army may expect.
and the Beers are great guerrilla fighters they
have perfect knowledge OF the country they
are fearless. they are all expert mark smen
and. II they fight. they will be fight
Ing for their existence as n nation. The
capture OF Pretoria or any other city would
have but small effect on the issue, nor have
the Beers any seaports or commerce through
which they may be attacked. The brutal bed
rock principle OF warfare. slaughter. alone will
suffice to conquer them. In addition to this it
must be remembered that tho British troops
will have long way to 90 before they arrive
at the scene OF action; communication is diff
cult. and the rainy season Is coming on. Last
but not least. the native tribes have to be con-
sidered, despatch to-day says: THE Basu-
tos are certainly now threatening the Orange
Free State. and are causing great anxiety even
in Natal" II at the outset the issue should
seem in any way doubtful. the present native
unrest Is mere than likely to cause a wide
spread outbreak which would call for strong
hand Altogether. war with the Beers Is
no simple proposition. and it may vet be
avoided. II this last suggested conference
comes about the conierees should find a
way out. IL they are in earnest. The
Beers have already offered what England has
demanded. but added impossUle conditions.
The British Government has guaranteed the
independence OF inc lfnnSNaal, which the
Beers declare is the one thing for which they
think IL necessary to fight. 1t only remains for
each to convince the other that the promises
made have been made honestly and will be
honestly carried out. II this can be DONE and
done with reasonable celebrity. another war
crisis" may yet go to ioin its numerous fellows.
The uncertainty OF delay is really the greatest
danger.
The Russian ice breaker Yermak. the largest
vessel OF its kind in the world. has just re-
turned to the Tyne where she was built. after
a very successful voyage in the Polar Sea. She
was built to break up the ice OF the Baltic and
the Kara Sea. so as to give ships access to tho
Russian ports and rivers at times when they
have hitherto been closed by winter Last
March the Yermak entered the frozen up port
OF Cronstadt with comparative ease. and then
going TO Revel. liberated thirty-three vessels,
OF the value sterling OF one and a half
millions, and some OF which were in great
danger. Then returning to Cronstadt and st.
Petersburg she opened out the way for tho
entry Of forty steamers several weeks before
the ordinary time. This work proved the com
mercial value OF the Yermak but a the same
II was deemed wise 10 subject her to more