The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-11
ENGLISH ARMY OFFICERS.
A German journal Praises Their Courage
ut the Expense of Their Military Sense.

From TIE FRANKFORT Gazette.
Ignorance OF campaign service and nsgli-
gence In onnoiterinR were the cause Of the
enormous losses the English In their previous
encounters with the Beers An English Major
with whom conversed upon the preparations
made for the coming war said to met 1T will
be ended. no doubt. TO our advantage. because
our forces are vastly superior to those OF the
Beers. but II will cost us enormous losses. for
tho reason that our generals know little or
nothing OF war. and our officers don't know
how to lead their troops against a wsll-armed
enemy" Iasked him II he did not think that
the suppression OF the purchase OF commis-
sions, the result Of which 10 beginning to be
seen in the high ranks. had not produced some
good effects upon the efficiency OF the corps Of
officers.
Not at all. he said. The efficiency OF our
officers would be superior II in our army tho
system OF favoritism played smaller part. 1t
is not merit. it is favoritism which. in most
cases. brings about the appointment OF a man
to some high command. Our young officers
enter the army without having the slightest
idea OF military service. Ii they should be sent
out Just now in a paign against the Beers.
they would no doubt conduct themselves
bravely but they would not know when to turn
back or what to do with their men,"
After witnessing the recent English manRuv-
res. WyScH ROl lne SdHb luUTeSSlOu. no
officers OF every grade have a careless attitudet
the orders are slack. and but little i'm portance
10 attached to their execution. and that 10
something which have remarked on several
occasions. The officers take no account Of the
| nature OF the ground upon which they ma
| how're. and each m ove m ent OF tho English in-
| fantry. which always fires voeys and never
| seeks shelter. brings one back to the time Of
| the battle OF Waterloo. the only battle. prob
ably. that these officers have studied to get an
| idea OF tactics.
An English military writer has pointed out
In his work upon the British Army the, dislike
Taisns against the A'rids and soudanais they
military knowledge. Neither does the train
| ing OF the soldier. present any opportunity to
officer is careful to put aside everything that 10
| military. except during the hours OF exercise,
and nasmuch as he confines his studies to
| prisrd that. even on manpuvring ground.
he plays poor part from the viewpoint OF .
simply ply play soldiers. They have an air Of in.
difference during the hours OF service and ex-
form simply to get the title OF officer and bee
cause 1t is the custom among the sons of rich
No doubt in their uniforms they are brave.
| An English officer said to me- one day that he
10 sS bEn h to
Are OF an enemy. He thought that such IN
| attitude might set bad example to tho others.
| hecause 1t might be taken as sign OF fear.
| The heavy losses among the officers in tho
| campaigns against tho Beers. and even the
defeats in the war Of 1881 against the Trans
| vaal. were the result Of Il laudable courage,
but they displayed the utter military inca paclty
| OF their leaders.
The English have great hopes OF the efficiency
| OF their cavalry In their coming campaign
| against the Doors. and. from what have seen
| Of the English Army | do not hesitate to
| declare that their cavalry is the only arm
| which comes NJ to modern military instruction
md 81 inh M m Try al
certain European countries. The cavalry off,
GERS also present a favorable impression but
| this does not mean that they have any more
| military knowledge than their comrades in the
| infantry and the artillery.
Naturally there are Generals and other SUI
| perior officers who can see the defects of the
English military system. For instance Sir Il.
| Butler who is to be Commander in Chief In
the campaign OF the Transvaa. knows very
| well that against the Beers he will have to
| adopt new tactics After his inspection OF the
troops destined for the Transvaal. made some
| little time ago at Aldershot. he said: Don't
| stick with too much Zenl to your old habits
| And he approached tho infantry officers for
taking to much care in forming and preserving
pretty lines. and for not taking sufficiently into
account the formation and, nature OF the
| ground. But believe that these late lessons
will have no good effect upon the officers.