Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-01
Transvsalers and there ia considerable ex-
Citement and anxiety.
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMY y
England Fakes survey of tho
Fiehtinp Force in south
Africn.

Copyright, 1899. by Associated PreesD
LONDON Sent SO.-COmment rcgardnk
the personnel and material a the British
soldiers which are expected to be hghtins
within short time in South Africa con-
tiEues to occupy large share OF public at
tention. Many criticisms appear blaming the
government for not permitting tho war Of
fee mCnths ago to put an adequate defensive
forco on the scene of action. But the ru-
mors Of the forthcoming departure OF the
army corps somewhat apppeased these critics.
II is almost certain General Sir Redvers
Henry Butler the former adjutant general,
will have supreme command in South Africa
In the meantime the military responsibility
Is divided between Major General Sir George
Stewart White and Lieutenant General Sir
Frederick william Forester Walker, the
latter at the Cape and the former In Natal,
each being supreme over his own district.
General White, who is described as n fight
ing man, keen as mustard has not yes
arrived in Natal. Upon him will devolve the
duty Of checking any desultory Boer raids;
or, in case of premature outbreak of actual
hostiities, of holding Natal until General
Buffers army corps arrives when the ag-
gressive British campaign will probably oc-
cur Some dissatisfaction is expressed because
General White has never served in South
Africa. But it is generally thought that hie
fighting abilities will more than make UP for
his lack of typographical knowledge
Under Generals White and Walker will be-
a host of officers especially selected for their
knowledge cf Boer methods and South
African campaigning. General Sir william
Simmons General Whites second in COM
mand, is one of fhe few survivors OF the mas
sacre Of Isandlewhana The artillery in
Natal will be commanded by Colonel Down
ing, late chief instructor at the school OF
gunuery at Shoeouryness, who has the high
est scientific and practical reputation, COM
pairing somewhat with Rear Admiral Samp-,
sons reputation in the United States navy
as an ordnance officer. Major General
French, commanding cavalry, is a dashing
officer General Young served through the
early Egyptian campaigns. ..
Much has been said regarding the physi-
cal unfitness of a large percentage OF the
British rank and file going to South Africa
or already there. A great difference OF
opinion on the subject exists. But 1t can
be said that the regiments selected are peye
lieved to have the highest standard OF
physique and all are comparatively long
service men. .
Many of the British officers believe the
Mauser, with which the Beers are armed,
superior to the Lee-Metford rifle of the
British for use against civilized troops. A
smallarms expert said to a reporter Of the
Associated Press
1.-The Lee -Metford will step savages, but
that is not the object most desirable when
fighting against civilized forces. Under q
well-managed Mauser fire troops will come
on, dropping gradually from the effect OF
CALLING wounds and not realizing the neces-
sity Of cover or retreat until. when within
the deadly zone, they find half their number
disabled and unable to face the full weight
of short range fire. In other words, Mauser
armed troops a"e more deceptive to the en-
emy than those armed with Lee -Metfords,
the effect Of the latter being visible to the
officers directing the fight"
The Indian and Australian horses, which
will be much used by the cavalry and
mounted infantry, will probably suffer more
from the change of country than the men,
being obliged to live oats and mealies,
the form OF fodder they are utterly unac-
eustomed to. -l-.,. n-n. ..e ..
The apparent inclination of the secretary
OF state for war, the marquis of Lansdowne.
to run the campaign preparations on mis- own
ideas, and his tendency to consult subordi-
nate officers, have called for a published
reminder that he has capable commander
in-chief at his elbow. Some comparisons
are made as to the status Of Field Marshal
Lord Woseley compared with that Of
Major General Miles when the latter was re-
ported to have been disregarded by Scores
tary Alger.