The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-29
LESSONS LEARNED.


The movement on Pretoria will have
been commenced before this. The main
point in General Roberts strategy will
be to turn the Boer position. This will
involve large sweep around on the
part Of French's cavalry mounted in
fantry and horse artillery. But as it
has been done already it can be done
again. The attacking of entrenched pos
itions by sheer brute force, which Bull
Ter attempted to do, is not part of Lord
Roberts plan. The early mistakes of
the war are not likely to be repeated
But Lord Roberts has certainly proved
that there is way to overcome even
the modern methods of fighting in en-
trenchments.
Before the peace conference NJ. Bloch
wrote a book upon future wars which
has proved that he very thoroughly I'M
derstood whittier modern ornaments
were leading the world. 1t was largely
in consequence of this book that the
Car suggested the conference. Mr..
Bloch's views upon tactics and strategy
have been summarized by writer in
the London Westminster Gazette:
THAT the war of the future would
be a war of sieges and entrenched posi-
tions.
THAT to carry out frontal attacks,
would be impossible without immense
losses and great superiority in NUM-
bers, and that it would therefore, sell
dom be resorted to.
That with equality in numbers, mod
ern wars would last longer than past
wars.
THAT decisive victories would be
rare, the beaten side Immediately TAX
ing up fresh positions to the rear which
would be prepared in advance.
THAT artillery would be put out or
action by sharpshooting rifiemen, who
would kill off horses and men.
THAT adequate reconnaissance would
be almost impossible, and that an enc
my's position would only be revealed
by the volleys from their trenches.
THAT even then. owing ito the use
of smokeless powder, it would be i'm
possible to precisely locate them.
THAT attempts to surprise an enemy
would often result in counter-surprises.
THAT intrenchments constructed for
protection against modern artillery and
rifle fire would be invisible
THAT the loss in officers would be
abnormally large.
THAT ambulance work, owing to the
great range of modern weapons. would
have to be carried on under fire, with
the result of mutual accusations of
abusing the Red Cross flag"
The war in South Africa, up to the
time of Lord Roberts arrival on the
scene carried out NJ Bloch's prediction,
almost exactly But the war is no
longer conforming to it. The strategy
| of Lord Roberts has made a distinct
change. and has proved that inspite of
the best of weapons leadership OF a
high class can overcome the advan-
tages which position and arms now
give.
If an entrenched position is turned it
I is no longer tenable. The captive bal
/ loon makes it possible to reconnoiter an
enemy's position, and science has sup
.
is using smokeless powder. The use OF
specially prepared blue glass, which
can be put before the tense of a binoc-
ular or a telescope, enables the eye TO
distinguish the flash of the smokeless
powder.
Men in war put their wits together as
men do at chess. A brilliant chess
player can afford to give odds to II poor
player and beat him. When things are
equal the most brilliant mind wins. In
South Africa, Great Britain has brought
to her aid two brilliant minds, and It
Is they by their disposal of their forces
that are winning the fight for the Brit
ish. It is a question where new condi-
lions had to be met with new meth
DDS.
In the Philippines the use of trenches
was well understood by the insurgents.
But the insurgents We're a different
material to the Beers, and therefore in
many cases 1t was possible for the Am
erican troops to carry the trenches by
frontal attack, the Filipinos losing
heart when the rush of the soldiers
came. But even against such foe the
turning movement was resorted to. The
Beers have been thoroughly trained in
the art of entrenching and have used
it in a most effective manner They
have shown that mere bravery against
| equally brave men in the entrench-
ments is thrown away. But they have
not proved that entertainments are al
ways tenable; in fact, Lord Roberts
| has shown the reverse