Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-01
Copyright, Associated Presso

I
criticisms appear, blaming the govern
ment for not permitting the war office,
| months ago, to put an adequate de-
fensive force on the probable scene Of
| action. But, the rumors of the forth
coming departure of an army &orps
| somewhat appeases these critics. 1t is
almost certain General Sir Redvers
Henry Butler, the former adjutant gen
| eral, will have supreme command in
| South Africa. In the meantime, the
| military responsibility is divided be-
| tween Major General Sir George Stew
art White, the latter at the Cape and
| the former in Natal, each being su-
preme over his own district General
| White, who is described as fighting
man keen as mustard" has not yet
arrived in Natal Upon him will de-
| volve the duty of checking any desul-
| tory Boer raids; or, in case of pre-
mature outbreak of actual hostilities,
of holding Natal until General Buffers
army corps arrives, when the agrees
| sive British campaign will probably oc-
cur. Some dissatisfaction is expressed
because General White has never se1v-
ed in South Africa. But, it is generally
! thought, that his fighting abilities will
more than make up for his lack of
| Typographical knowledge. Under Gen
| erals White and Walker will be host
of officers specially selected for their
knowledge of Boer methods and
SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGNING.
General Sir William Symons, General
| Whites second in command, is one OF
| the few survivors of the massacre OF
| Isandlwhana. The artillery in Natal
will be commanded by Colonel Down
| ing, late chief instructor at the school
of gunnery, Shoeburyness, who has the
| highest scientific and practical reputa-
| ton, comparing somewhat with Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS reputation in the
! United States navy as an ordnance ex-
| pert. Major General French, COM
manding the cavalry, is dashing Off
Ger, somewhat on the lines of an Amer
lean officer. General Young served
through the early Egyptian campaigns.
| Much has been said regarding the
physical unfitness of a large percentage
| of the British rank and file going 10
| South Africa or already there. A great
| difference of opinion on the subject ex-
! lists. But it can be said that the regi-
! ments selected are believed 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 is superior to the Lee Metford
rifle, of the British, for use against
civilized troops. A small arms expert
said to a reporter of the Associated
Press:
The Lee Metford will stop savages,
but that is not the object most desir
able when fighting against civilized
| forces Under a we'll managed Mauser
fire troops will come on, dropping grad
ually from the effect of CALLING wounds
and not realizing the necessity of cover
or retreat until, when within the dead
ly zone, they find half their number
disabled and unable. to face the full
weight of short range fire. In other
words, Mauser-armed troops
ARE MORE DECEPTIVE
to the enemy than those armed with
Lee Metfords, the effect of the latter be-
ing Immediately visible to the officers
directing the fight"
/ The Indian and Australian horses
which will be much used by the caval-
ry and mounted infantry, will prob
| ably suffer more from the change of
country than the men, being obliged to
live on oats and mealies, a form of
| fodder they are utterly unaccustomed
| TO.
| The apparent inclination of the Sec
re1aTy or State for War, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, to run the campaign prep
arations on his own ideas and his ten
| dency to consult subordinate officers,
have called forth a published reminder
that he has a capable commander in
chief at his elbow.
Some comparisons are made as to
! the status of Field Marshal Lord Wolse-
| ley compared with that of Major Cen
eraI Miles. when the latter was report
ed to have beef Aiisregarded by Secre-
tary Alger.
/ Alaskan boundary matters are sull
! taking up considerable attention at. the
| foreign office. The Canadian minister
of marine and fisheries, Sir L. H.
davies, is daily visiting the officials,
who are busy drawing up maps illus
trating Canadas contention. He ex-
| poets to finish his share of the matter
| in two weeks. He will probably return
home October 10. The negotiations at
present, apparently are confined to con-
situations between Great Britain and
! Canada, the United States embassy
| taking
LITTLE OR NO PART
| in them until Sir l. H. Davies reaches
an understanding with the imperial
government Reports of the arrival OF
settlement continue to appear, but
these are unreliable, as they are con-
Trajectory.
Sir L. H. Davies said to a reporter
| of the Associated Press:
| 1T is impossible TO give out any
statement at present
Asked if he was going over the
Tower Hay propositions. he said:
mo. Not exactly. | am here solely
| to represent the stand of the Canadian
government.
1t is inferred that no definite settle
ment will be reached until after the
converting of the high commission.
Mr.. Joseph H. Choate, the United
States ambassador who isa still in