Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1900-01-12

writer's Of the lingo press OF Great
Britain. arc responsible for our de-
feats. These people headed by
certain ministers. depicted the war
In South Africa ~ a military
promenade, and they well nigh
stoned brave Sir William Butler
when he referred to tho gravity of
Tho situation and admonisheA
them 10 moderate their foolish
shouting. They brought our
brave generals into confusion and
drove to death our heroic oiiicers
and troops Who we're compelled 10
achieve forced successcs for thB
sake Of clique Of stock exchanges
speoulators.
"Troops have been hurled nt
Africa without any but tho harest
preparations for harmonious CO
operation and vic;ualling.
II was supposed we had TO denA
with savages, whereas we are con
fronted by terrible opponent hav.
ing perfect military organization
supervised by Prnssisns. II is
ridiculous to imagine that the
people of London could know
. thing OF tho armament OF the
Trahs,n... rhey simply neglected
to read the reports seat from Tia
Cape. 1t ~ the same spectacle
whielr preceded ,hs fall Of khHr-
touM. Then, ss now. there WAS u
failure to appreciate the strength
Of the enemy, and self dsception
that lasted until Gordon had Leen
killed aud the black flag II tho
prophet was Aoatlng over the ram.
parts Of Kahrtoum.
IL am confident, however. that IT
10 not too late 10 mend matters Ia
South Africa.
when the concentration of
troops has been effected my main
task will consist, first. in accustom.
ing the men to reflective, cautious
manner OF fighting In this way.
alone. will We possibly achieve sue.
cess against foe 70 mobile.
"The Transvaal must be crushed
by cncir cling II with an iron band.
Military operations will. pro-
gress slowly, very slowly. To the
cries OF the London press no atten-
tion will bo paid; they will have to
learn patience; Great Britain her
self must have patience.
II do not believe the republics
will be suhdusd within = year.
This - my view OF the task await
ing me, and can not execute II Ia
less time. Ii is true that the stu
alton might undergo change, aud
pressing political reasons may at =
later period render il essential for
us to infiict a rapid series OF blows
for the purpose Of creating baris
Of negotiations that had become
necessary. Az 10 this can form
no judgment | am not a poll.
tician but soldier. have 10
execute my orders. and As soldier
l can only say II is possible now
for Great Britain TO overcome the
republic, and though her progress
may be slow and year may be
necessary for its completion. y+t at
the end Of that time We should he
in position TO dictate our own
terms Of peace.
"All my calculations. however,
will be upset il ! am subjeoted to
Interferenees in the execution ~
e. plans.
Natal Ia not adapted for thu
advance OF large masses of troops,
he hilly districts tending TO die
persion and rarely permitting the
delivery OF ponderous blows.
ut ID time, gentlemen. il il time.
| must 60. War is a thankIAss
cupatiou. q most shankless ons
when ones task il to drug = cass
~, al the miro.
"fhe Who'll. affair in Son'h
Africa has been bungled. II !, hid
'een properly begun W. n'iahs
ave trapqullized south Ah'cs
With half the present 'xtsbdi'n
I time, money and hI .od NJ
re need 10000 men and whole
ear