Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-24
ENGLAND'S NEW MAN IN AFRICA.

Ever since the beginning of the war
there has been considerable wonde ex-
pressed by those who know South Africa
and the history of the war in that coun-
try, that General Sir Frederick CARING
ton has not been offered a command be-
fore now. However, better late than
never, he has at last been called from
his comparative retirement at Dublin
and has gone to South Africa with a
Well-picked staff of officers.
General Darlington is an expert of the
experts in African warfare. He has
been through the Matabele n other
campaigns, has commanded colonial
troops, and is thoroughly conVersant
with their handling an ddlplomat1c
treatment. He is also thoroughly at
home with natives, and is not likely to
| make any mistake in the d of any
| military operations entrusted to his care.
1t is generally understood that General
| Darlington will proceed to Rhodesia and
there aiken charge of a new contingent
to be known as the Rhodesia Field Force,
which is hardly likely to number fewer
than 5000 men, all, or nearly all, of
| whom will be mounted infantry. The
object of General Carrington's presence
in Rhodesia is doubtless to check any
raiding on the part of T~ransvaal Beers
towards the end of the war. 1t is more
than likely, it is even extremely probable
that, according to their natural instincts,
the Beers will make little excursions,
looting cattle, destroying native villages,
| and possibly any English ~farmhouses
they may come across, with the idea of
hampering British progress in Rhodesia.
1t is to hinder these that the Rhodesia
| Field Force is to be established. The
movements thereof will, of course, de-
pend upon the course Of events and
General C~arrington's efforts will be
specially directed towards this part of
the country which he knows well and
Where he is liked by every individual set
tier.
There is no danger as to the actual
stability or safety of Rhodesia, and there
is likewise no foundation for the various
rumors current of unrest among the ma
tives. But the presence of a consider
able army in the northern border of the
Iransvaal cannot be without it's strong
p~acificatory effects. 1t is noteworthy
that half of this force will include $500
Australian Bushmen recently asked for
by Mr.. Chamberlain, and they should
form a most reliable and handy force on
whom implicit reliance may be placed to
keep any predatory we'll in hand.
General Darlington has, therefore. a
tough job on hand, but one for which
his qualifications and past experience
fully justify him Perhaps with the
exception of Colonel Baden-Powell and
vi O1IkAA rs / "a ~ III "AASlAA 1A0N Z
seen much South African service, no
officer in the Imperial service is so thor
ougly trusted by the C%olonials. They
know the mar and his ways, he has none
of the Pall-Mall ~brusqueness of ann
and although he is a bit of a martinez,
and considerable.
When the Beers hear that Darlington
is in Rhodesia, there will be much ON
sternation among them. They know
him by repute to be a fearless fighter and
we'll yersed in the methods of the veldt.
He takes little or nc risks which are
a~yoidable, and he fights practically on
Boer lines. For that reason, and others,
they fear him nightly.
The curious fact has been noticed that
for some months after the war began
General Darlington remained in Ireland
without a at the front. h
was adversely commented upon and va
rious reasons We're alleged. such as W a
office Partially, want of influence in
high quarters. and the like. Probably
nothing of the sort was really respons-
ible, but the government. knowing the
future possibilities of the war and its
probable eventual developments carefully
reserved General Darlington for the i'm
portant post to which he is now destined
| IF in other eases in South Africa ap-
pointments have been made which saw
our of the square peg In the round hole
this cannot be aNe~ad with regard To the
commander of the Rhodesia Field Force
No more appronriate. no more pepula,
J selection cor'S hove heer made. and II
! Is safe to predict that. so far as Southern
} Rhodesia and the northern hor1er of thu
Transvaal are concerned. British inter
l ests will he amn,v safeeuor'e7 bv tn.
. military knowledge and local experienc,
, of General Darlington.