Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-05
|C[NSORE TOR GENL. WRITE.
English People Criticise His Tactics at
Ladysmith.
PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED ONE
FACTION INCLINED TO BELIEVE
THE GENERAL IS NOT ALTO
GETHER CENSURABLE - THE
OBJECT OF THE STAND MADE
IN NATAL.
Copyright, Associated Press)

AO1>DOIN, 3NUftnUtI f.-A1mOoL lilo
only subject of discussion this week
in England was the disastrous re-
verse suffered by Gen. Sir George Stew
art White. the British commander at
LadySmith, and this was made the
occasion for pouring out torrents of
lay criticism and advice. Public opin-
ion seems fairly divided. one section
bitterly blaming the general command
ing and the other maintaining that he
probably is not so much at fault as he
made himself out The latter section,
which includes many service men and
nearly all the service publications,
urges the withholding of definite criti-
cism pending more detailed accounts.
The Naval and Military Record, after
expressing this sentiment, sums UP the
situation as follows:
Considering the nature of the coun-
try, the lament table unpreparednesS of
England and the unwillingness of the
opposition to allow a British regiment
to go to South Africa until President
Kruger's ultimatum was received, it Is
almost surprising that we have been
able to hold our own so far. Not only
have the Beers proved themselves de-
termined fighters and splendid sharp
shooters, as we knew them to be, but
they have developed surprising mill
tary strategic qualities.
"They have nearly surrounded every
garrison we hold, and have invariably
occupied almost unaSsailable positions
lighting with great courage. Against
such fighters our little force, left iso-
lated far from our base and without
hope of relief or days to come. has
not only done splendid work, but has
gained successes which we venture to
believe no other soldiers in the world,
placed in similar positions and in SIM
liar unfortunate conditions, could have
achieved"
Although this may fairly be said to
represent conservative military opin-
ion, its reference to the action of the
opposition as preventing the sending
roneous. Since the first news of the
Ladysmith disaster reached England,
there has been storm gathering over
the head, not of Sir George White, but
of the Secretary of State for War, the
Marquis of LansdCwne, and this ema-
mates not so much from the opponents
of the government as from its warmest
supporters. Some of the ablest Of the
latter have no hesitation in saying
privately that almost criminal neglect
has been shown in not sending at
least 10000 more troops before Or by
October 4. and that. if Lord Lans-
downes hands were tied by higher pow
ers he ought to eXculpate himself be-
yond the shadow OF suspicion.
The failure to send out troops enough
cannot be charged to the opposition,
for parliament was not then sitting.
If there were any intention to hold
Natal at all costs. an adequate force
should have been sent out by October 4,
when the excuse that such reinforce
ments might be taken by the Beers as
menace no longer held good, as the
Indian troops were already on the way.
Hearing these criticisms in unexpect-
ed quarters the correspondent of the
Associated Press repeated them to a
high government official. While nom
committal regarding the failure to send
reinforcements earlier this official de-
clared that the broad lines of policy
affecting Natal had been much misun-
derstood.
"We are often asked" said he, why
we sent Sir George White up the Neck
of o{ol ,,x,1o L..
hold it. Considering the tremendous
reinforcements now on the way to him,
it occurs to almost everybody, at first
sight, that we ought to have retired
without risking engagements; but it is
forgotten what would happen in Natal
unless we made vigorous stand there.
Natal has risked her little all on be-
half of the empire; and the least we
can do is to risk something ourselves
and to prevent the overrunning of her
prosperous towns and rich fields by
hordes of the enemy. Purely military
considerations, I admit, might point
to the fact that we ought Immediately
to have withdrawn from our advanced
positions, but purely military consid-
erations have sometimes to be subor-
dinated to the interests of the empire
and, although many good lives have
been lost in the cause they have not
been wasted"
The acceptance of the offers of Sir
William MacCormac. DR.. Frederick
Treves and other eminent civilian sur
geonS for service in South Africa, has
drawn attention to the serious under
manning of the army medical staff
The total strength of the department
is only $40, which is 20 per cent. below
the figures of forty years ago. and
actually so officers below the absolute
minimum decided upon in 1884. This
state of affairs is due doubtless, to the
insufficient compensation offered.
Deserters from both the army and
navy continue to give themselves up in
order TO be returned to their regiments
and ships for active service. Not a
day passes without the London magis-
trates having TO deal with half dozen
or so cases of this character and as
the deserters walk out Of the dock in
charge of a military escort they often
turn to the magistrate with a hearty
God bless you or Thank you, sir"
Many of them come from foreign coun-
tries, including the United States
Several small detachments OF country
yeomanry are going out Independent Of
the war Office, to the seat OF war, on
the chance of joining the Imperial
Light Horse. Lord Lonsdale and Lord