The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-04-26
DEFENDER OF MAFEKINC
Interesting Characteristics of
Colonel Baden Powell.
MUCH RESPECTED BY THE 8oERR

They Say He Can Give Them Points
at Their Method of Ffghting-An
Example of His Resource and
Readiness of stratngem-His Kamr
Nickname.
and generals commanding forces in
the present campaign is Colonel Baden
Powell, appointed in May, 1897, brevet
colonel Of the Fifth Dragon guards,
South Africa, says Alexander Davis in
the London Navy and Army Illustrated.
Before hostilities had begun, but when
the present conflict appeared immi-
nent, the war Office felt the need Of
sending out an efficient and expert
enced officer to superintend the border
defenses of Rhodesia and Bechuana-
land q stretch of frontier about 500
miles in extent. Under the most favor
able circumstances it was scarcely fea-
sible to properly garrison ali these out
posts with imperial troops in time to
forestall Boer incursions. If reverses
were met with, 1t was readily conceded
that the task, would be insurmount-
able which has unfortunately proved
the case. In casting around for a suit
able man the claims of Colonel Baden
Powell to the post were found incon-
testable. A man of restless energy,
wary and experienced, his past record
spoke eloquently in his favor and he
was appointed. fFttsts3k4 fsf'
His subordinates were doubtlessly Of
his own choosing. Colonel Plumer and
Major Vyvyan were both old comrades
in the Matabele rebellion and were at
home in the districts destined for OPP
erations. 1t is a moot point today, as
matters have developed, whether the
services Of Colonel Baden-Powell would
not have been more valuable in the
line of advance than on the defensive.
The work intrusted to him has been
done well-in fact, with the paucity Of
material to work with, remarkably
well-but Baden-Powell in command
Of the scouts in Whites, Buffers OF
Methuen's forces might possibly have
spelled success where failure resulted
Most of our reverses have been SCI
down to insufficient knowledge of the
enemys dispositions and to the supe
rior craft of the Beers in the veldt
Baden-Powell is up to all their tricks
and can give them points too.
The earliest reverse that has been re
corded In the present campaign was
the destruction Of an armored train be
tween Vryburg and Mafeking, with The
loss Of gun, ammunition and most o.
the men. The arms were destined To-
Baden-P Powell, but fell into the hands
Of the Beers instead. This was bi
of blow, but Baden-Powell took 1
very coolly and doubtless came to tn
conclusion that as they were so fond O
Smelling trucks he would allow then
some further practice. Having SOM
superfluous dynamite in the stores, h
sent couple Of trucks loaded with tn
explosive down the line and waited TO
Developments The Beers, elated wit
their recent success, pounded merrill,
away, and, receiving no response, rush
ed the deserted wagons. The tablea
when the show blew up can be left t
Imagination. The Beers from tina
time came to respect him. Here,
said they, "is a man who knows
thing or two, and we must be careful.
They have been cautious ever sine
with the result that the initiative
most of the fighting has been taken b
the colonel; the Beers have been lool
ing on from the distance, simply shell
ing the town at long range.
Circumstances brought the writer
this article much into contact with tt
gallant colonel during the Natalie
rebellion. He was then acting as chi,
of staff to General Sir Frederick Ca
rington. The one quality prominent
BadenPowell, contrasting somewh:
with the average officer, Is the mann
in which he carries out his military d
ties. Dressed in the plain khaki ur
form and slouched hat of South Aft
can warfare, there Is nothing starcht
or imposing in his appearance or d
meanor. He has neither poker dow
his back, padding in his shoulders, n
a forbidding or condescending air
intercourse. He Is simply quite natur
and generally smiling. In convers
ton you forget the military man, al
only see the shrewd man of the wor
and courteous gentleman.
At the time when many deserved al
undeserved sarcasms were utter
against most of the staff by the civ
ian population Baden-P owell-the lit
that was seen Of him In camp-alwa
met with praise. Did he wish SON
thing done or whatever dealings
may have had with the storekeepel
he always arranged matters with t
maximum of pleasantness and the mi
imum of military stiffness or sense
command. Now this is a very imp'
tant trait in a commanding officer d.
ing time of war. 1t means the wht
hearted aid Of civilians and an alacri
in providing for the forces which ia
alone can bring forth. We have ami
evidence that in Mafeking Baden-Po
ell has the whole population of
p1aoo foI1ovvfnU hin, frnnlicitlV oven