The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-09
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER ., 1883.
MILITARY SITUATION IN THE
fTRANSYAAL.


fTRANSVAAL.
The London Spectator Of August 10Th
contains an article on tn military situa-
ton in the Transvaal which is Of peculiar
interest al this juncture When this arti-
Gle was written the editor OF the Spectator
was expecting war one evidence of which
he found in the fact that Sir William But
Ter. who held the command In chief at the
Cape. was 10 be recalled and his place
alied by Sir Frederick Forester Walker.
This change was made not because there
was any doubt Of Sir William Buffers
patriotism or military capacity. but be-
cause he is known to entertain In regard
10 South African affairs views that are
not in accord with the Imperial govern
ment. 1.-THE fact that Sir William Butler
has resigned. cannot therefore, says the
Spectator. but be regarded as an indica-
ton Of the critical nature of the situation
az the present moment"
With this introduction the Spectator
proceeds TO show the relative strength of
the British forces and the forces Of the
Beers. and 10 forecast the general conduct
of the war, should war occur. 1t has no
doubt that Sir Redylers Butler will COM
mand the English forces in the event of
war. and says that he Is a general OF great
experience and ability and knows tho
country. 1t is also Of opinion that the
main forces will be concentrated at Natal
and viii move along the line Of the rail
way into the Transvaal, with possibly
flank movements from the Bechuanaland
Protectorate. and even from Kimberley.
These troops which win DE concentrated
I'm Natal win be drawn from three differ
ent sources. There are already about GOO
or more regulars IN Natal and the Spect1-
tor says that about 5000 men in an will
b. dispatched direct from England There
viii be another force-au white troops
numbering about 10000 which will De sent
from India. and there Will be a consdera-
bic number of local lcvies. consisting OF
the Natal volunteers and the Natal mount
ed police. a military body. numbering al
together at least 2oo0, and also of voiun-
teers specially enlisted I'm Cape Colony
who may number another thousand The
Spectator thinks It also probable that the
powerful squadron in South African waters
would be able to provide a naval brigade
OF not less than 100 men, making I'm all
an army Of about 5000 mon in Natal In
addition 20 these the irregular troops TO
the number Of about 5000 viii be collected
on The other frontiers of the South African
Republic making a total force Of 5000,
IN which the proportions Of cavalry and
artillery will be very large. There will
also DE English Regiments to garrison
Cape colony.
AS to the forces Of the Beers. the spec
taior SAYS that il is difficult to make a
satisfactory estimate. cot course" IL
goes on. III the whole Dutch population
Of the Cape and the orange Free state
throw uo work on their farms and flock
20 the support OF President Kruger in
holding down the Outlanders they might
easily produce a body OF 5000 men, but
thu, this VII take place IS far from like
ly." The Spectator thinks fl probable. al
most certain. that only the younger and
more adventurous Of the Dutch farmers
viii come 20 the aid OF the Beers. which
means a body OF i've or six thousand men.
The Beers themselves. IL assumes. win put
in the fed body Of 9aoo0 men. making
total force Of $3.50. But this. 81 adds.
would no. De an organized force. but
rather a mob Of good marksmen
The Spectator pauses here 10 make an
interesting observation. 1t says that
groups OF Beers. ave hundred men. or
even thousand. VIII night effectively IN
a rough country. but when it comes 10
bodies Of ten thousand or fifteen thousand
men the want Of organization and Of CO.
hesion viii be greatly felt and their
strength In numbers will DE an actual
source Of weakness. as also will be their
artillery. by way OF explanation Il says
that a force OF six thousand men. without
suns or any impedimenta and IN which
each man looks out for himself VII act
without confusion. whereas force OF 81. |
teen thousand men encountered With guns |
and necessarily trying 10 work together
wi;hou; knowing how. VIII be in very |
different position.
IL Is very clear 20 the Spectator that n /
the Beers meet The British in the open, |
force against force. the British need not |
be afraid OF he result. and II is the Spec.
lsts~s opinion that II wer occurs II viii