The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-27
BORN WITH 4 RIFLE
Dom PauI's. Beers are Dead
Shots and Rough Riders.
ENGLISHMEN NO MACH
Their Organization and Their
Tactics in the Field.

Berlin, Aug. 26.-It Is now q well known
fact that the Transvaal and orage Free
State have political as well as a mill
tary offensive and defensive alliance.
Should 1t really come to war between
England and the Transvaal-and every
eventuality IS reckoned with In England
the military strength of both the South
African republics will have to be con-
sidered. Much has been written about
this subject but everything printed so
far lacked the backing Of official facts.
An exhaustive article in the Mihtaer-
isches Wochenblatt, Berlin weekly de-
voted to military affairs, and 1t gives in
teresting facts concerning military af-
fairs in the two great Boer republics.
Though in regard to organization,
aims, and tactics great similarity exists
between the military of the two states,
separate statements are necessary to
give comprehensive idea Of strength,
formation and capacity of the military
DIT is scarcely correct TO say army of
each state because in times of peace they
are absolutely Independent OF tach other.
Common to both states Is the most per
feet and relentless execu ion OF conpu,-
sorry service in case of war. This IS more
SO the case than in Germany, which is
saying a good deal. In the Transvaal
this duty exists from the sixteenth to the
GfNff 18th -
Fire. State from the eighteenth to the
slxtieth. On account Of the early physi-
cal development of the Beers, even what
according to American ideas, would be
considered youth, furnishes a useful ma
terial for soldiers. Similar to this the
older men are good soldiers, because
their more or less nomadic life as hunters
and cattle raisers assures them degree
of seasoning" unknown elsewhere
Is really people in arms.
In the Transvaal a distinction exists
between organized standing troops, vol
unteer corps, and militia. The first nam
ed consists chiefly of what is technically
known as state artillery" According
to the law of national defense of 1895
this corps Is to be the nucleus of the wa-
strength of the republic and 1t has to be
In state of perpetual mobilization. Mil
itary discipline and instruction in this
branch of the service must be such thata
the men at the end of Decentralization
are able to serve as northumberland
officers II necessary. The corps also has
such technical instruction that It's mem
bers may be fit to occupy subaltern Of
fees in the clvil service. It has thirty
two officers, eighty non-commissioned Of
ficers and go men. and is intended as a
sorfsef school battalion in the artillery,
field telesraphy, engineer and hospital
service. The corps is commanded by
general, who draws the respectable sal
airy of 1880. Ranking officers are paid
equally well in proportion of their com
mand. The garrison of this corps Is in
a fortified camp at Pretoria, where the
guns are also stationed-three field bat
teries and number or heavy guns, most
iy of the Krupp pattern. There are also
two batteries Of rapld-fire guns.
Since 1894 law is in existence which
permits an organization of volunteer
corps consisting of citizens entitled to
vote. This Is done to keep interest In
military matters. These corps are fur
nished arms and ammunition and each
volunteer receives annually from so to
800 for periodical service, which includes
police service in case of riots or other
disturbances. Nearly every larger city
or village has such a corps, the strongest
being johannesburg. which consists of
600 infantry and 200 cavalry.
The military strength of Transvaal,
however, rests in its militia. Statistics
concerning its numbers vary between o.
900 and 5000 burghers, subject to mill
tary service, of whom from 1900 to L.
900 are in their best years. The white
population OF the Transvaal IL 1898 was a
little over $4,000 among them. however.
numerous "uitlanders." who, not being
entitled to vote. cannot be compelled to
serve. OF the Kaffirs, numbering about
$4,000, probably 1900 are subject to mill
tary duty, but 1t appears doubtful wheth-
er these can be counted upon in case OF
war.
The military division Of the state IS
strictly carried out. and makes an incred-
IDLY quick mobilization possible, because
each citizen is compelled. upon notifiea- |
tton. to repair at once. with horse. arms. |
accoutrements and rations, to the place
OF redezvous.
For this purpose the Transvaal Is d. |
vided into districts, and each district |
again into cornetships. Each district has
a commander. who, as well as the cor |
nets, has much authority in peace as
well as in war. Even in times Of peace. |
for Instance, each inhabitant owes i'm |
plicit military obedience to his fed cor
net and his commander.
Encampments and field maneuvers upon |
a large scale do not take place. In view !
Of the fighting methods of the Beers |
there is no tactical necessity for such ex-
pensive institutions. The Beers are a sort |
Of mounted infantry. From early youth \
they are active in the saddle ard in the l
bush" are interchangeable riders. and ex-
cellent marksmen because the BOer Is !
born with a rife, so to speak The Beers /
are natural guerrillas- They 60 into a /
without a baggage train. Each !
man carries ratiOns for two weeks in his
saddle bags
The fighting methods OF the Beers,
which caused the English such great loss