The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-18
CRITICS or THE BRITISH AEMT.
English Soldiers From n German. a French
and n Romanian Viewpoint.

ANON the more friendly OF the critics Of tho
British Army who are Just now taking notes Of
its imperfections and better qualities. is the
Dsutschs Here's eituno. While sternly criticising
and making the most Of the mistakes committed
in South Africa, II has high praise for the British
%regimental officers for the courage and intrepidity
with which they are leading their men. Where
errors have been made, il holds they have been
with those highly placed, who have seemed TO
believe that their new adversary was half barba-
rian, whereas he is really a highly trained sol.
der and efficient in the use Of modern weapons
The Deutsche Zefuno praises the rank and hs
and draws attention 10 the marches made under
trying conditions, in burning heat, often with.
out sufficient water, followed by bivouncking
in the open on cold and sometimes rainy nights
The Noureile Rerue treats the subject Of ~
criticism from a different point Of view in adiscus.
sion by NJ. Michel Defines on a paper by a ML
Vassilevski, apparently a Russian. This gen.
tleman had been visiting the barracks OF the
Household Cavalry in London, the comfoft Of
which surprised him, especially the excellence
Of the tablr service. with its ale and various sauces,
and the electric lighting These, however, 10
may be remarked. are not found in the quarters
of the moro humble Tommy Atkins. Mr. Vassi-
levski was much struck by the tell, well set up
figures Of the men who were engaged in outdoor
exercises. Their twisted moustaches, well dressed
hair and chins impcccably shaver. and their
ooOts polished 10 such a degree AS a. throw into
ecstasy th' whole world OF bOotmakers,' proved
10 him clearly that these men were Of the elite
and the dHrlings Of the nursemaidS in the park.
This picture OF the private soldier OF the q risto-
cratic COrls Of the british Army Is matched by
one NOR" imaginative still Of the officer, Ac.
COriing g. this writer the british officer IL The
lion OF the Ira why room and the hero 81 the divorce
court lie is perverted, capricious, and blase, .
reader Of French novels. and a freITenter Of
music halls. lie dwels N a palace, has a negro
enters the army that he may wear a uniform
and live al a military club, but he cares nothing
for his profession and has no interest in the
service, Such is the British officer as seen by NJ.
\assilevski and appreciated by NJ. Defines.
The Indspendd nrc RJum0tne Of Buchn rest sees
the subjects Of it's criticism from again a din erent
point OF view, In a general way 1t has n fairly
good opinion Of the British soldiers. but cannot
heir ranlarklng that they are OF a low cless, and
marked with the gross and brutal character
which il Fundamental in the Anglo Saxon" Tho
army training however has emancipated them
we'll, but without a real senseo of patriotism though
they have q certain traditional loyalty.
Soldiers Of this class require Officers OF a high
order and that the Roumanian critic believes
the British officer to he He hunts the tiger in
India, thu elephant in. Africa. and the native
%everywhere," and is always ready for ndven.
ture, For the most part they despise strategy
and tactics" but they have the instinct OF war
and compensate for their deficiencies by cool
ness and courage.
These are samples Of the tone In which the
European Contnental press sIeaks OF the British
element. but as q general rule criticising severely
the generals and staff.