New-York tribune., 1900-12-16
MOUNTED MEN WANTED.
LATEST LESSONS OF THE WAR IN
SOUTH AFRICA.
DUNDoNALD-A MODEST SOLDIER
WITH GOOD RECORD.

tCopyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribune. J.
fEr cARLE TO THE TuIBUSEI
London, Dec 16 6 a. n.-The anniversary of
the battle of Colenso was celebrated by the de-
parture from Southampton of the first detach-
ment recruited in England for Baden-PoweIPs
police and by arrangements at Aldershot for
the dispatch of every available company of
mounted infantry specially trained for service
in South Africa. General Kitchener has not.
asked for general reinforcements, but he needs
mounted troops. lightly equipped. and viii have
them.
While cavalry service will be more arduous
than infantry work during the remainder Of the
war, 1t viii be safer and less irzsome. Colonel
MacKinnOn, who commanded the London Volun-
teers, has contrasted the good fortune of troops
like his own with the bad luck of battalions of
infantry and militia guarding the lines Of com
munication. He has asserted that troops which
were constantly marching and operating against
the enemy remained in health and good fighting
form, whereas battalions condemned TO inaction
for weeks and months in garrison duty were
exposed to outbreaks of enteric fever and were
incapacitated for service. According to Mac
KinnOns view the worst fortune which can be-
fall battalion in service is a long halt, with
the necessity for sitting tight in one locality
The men become enfeebled and dispirited, and
when caught of their guard are in poor form
for resisting a vigorous attack. This is the
probable explanation OF the feeble defence made
by the Northumberland Fusiliers at the Maya
liesburg, when its reputation as THE Fighting
Fifth" and the reverse sustained by It al Storm
berg a year ago. under Gatacre. ought TO have
developed more spirited conduct.
Officers who have recently returned from South
Africa admit that the British army is weary Of
the campaign and anxious to return to England,
hut hat ba
never better.
Lord Dundonald, grandson of Admiral Coch-
rane, famous in the Napoleonc wars and in the
struggle for independence of Chill and Peru,
was the chief guest last night at a brilliant din
ner Of the Vagabonds Club at the Hotel Cecil.
He had distinguished himself in Buffers cam
paign in Natal and the Transvaal and made
reputation as a cavalry leader second only to
that of French. II a Christmas dinner, with
a group of women at every table. and one of the
most successful entertainments held by the club
since the election of Lord Roberts as its presl-
dent. w. l. Courtney, Editor of THE Fort
nightly Review" IN the chair, and five
hundred guests were present. The charman's
speech was well delivered and contained a most
felicitous reference TO the splendid services rem
dered by Lord Dundonald to the Empire. The
toast Of Daughters of the Empire" was pro-
posed b. Miss Frances MacNab. and brought
cut a really thrilling response from niece of
Mr. Schreiner. Miss Stuart, who gave full evil
dence Of the loyalty and enthusiasm Of the
women OF South Africa. Mr.. Comyns Carr re-
sponded eloquently for the visitors. but the
main feature Of the evening Lord Dun
donalds speech Young. handsome and soldier
like ne told in simple. unaffected manner the
story OF the relief of Ladysmith and the audi
ence thrilled by the eloquence of the recital
OF brave deeds done in a manly. practical way.
He pointed some OF the morals OF the war-frst
the great power of the modern rife which ought
10 render England impregnable against attack
from the Continent: second the value of
mounted infantry IN a campaign. the ideal
trooper being a soldier who could shoot walk