The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05
BOER HATRED Of BRITISH
Arrogant Conduct of Subalterns
the Cause.
Minor Ofcers Insulting to the
Burghcr. Who Have Laid Down
Their Arms-Latter Fast Becoming
IrreconciiabIc and Again Taking
the Field Against the Invaders.
(special cablegram-copyrighted.l

LONDON. Aug. A staff correspondent
who arrived in London today from Pre-
toria, whittier he had accompanied General
Roberts from the Modder River. writes
with a new sense of freedom from the con-
straints of the censorship. He says:
Thoughts long Strengthening under
daily contact and association with the
British army in South Africa are only
confirmed on reflection amid civil sur
roundings. 1t is not the system, but per-
sonnel, of the British army that is MAX
ing the Beers irreconcilable. Probably
they care less for the abstract form of
government under which they live than
their champions maintain; but no people
are more ready to resent deeply the per-
sonal arrogance which is the curse of the
great majority of the junior British Of
fcers, now performing routine functions.
such as issuing passes which bring about
personal meeting OF Boer and Britisher,
where there might have been a better un-
derstanding
Il have repeatedly witnessed such Incl
dents as that of a raw subaltern address,
ing burgher who had obeyed the Gov
ernment summons to take up arms. with
Now. how long have you been a rebel?'
This to a man without drop of British
blood or a days allegiar ce to the British
Government, yet. disposed to cease fight
ing if compatible with retaining his self
respect 1t is no wonder that Boer COM
mandcs are constantly recruited, after a
brief experience with the military man as
a civil official
1.-The proclamation which these juniors
are detailed to enact is mostly humane
and statesmanlike, with every chance of
acceptance by a large section Of the
burghers, but the youngster who leads the
distribution party sneers at the Boer till
the latter, if a self-respecting man. is left
filed with the bitterest resentment even
when the circuilsta compel momentary
acceptance of the situation.
"A burgher who took the oath Of neu-
trslity. Just north of Pretoria. was com
PEELED Immediately to witness party of
soldiers on an officers orders, root out the
posts around his tame deer park. because
f1rewood was necessary for the officers who
wanted tea. The deer, like all tame pets,
strayed, and the lieutenant shot few.
They were unable to agree on the name of
q rare specimen and took the body to the
owners, who resignedly gave the name,
adding: 1t was dear little creature which
used TO eat from my hand
This man owned a good house with
bathrooms. The news spread through the
brigade in camp and 1t was a common
sight to see group of officers march into
the house and make themselves free till
their turn for bath came. II the owner
dared to emerge from one Of his own rooms
they stared at him an impudent tres
passer.
This intolerable attitude is not confined
to the treatment of citizens OF the enemy's
country. but TO every Civilian brought into
contact with this type of oflcer. 1t is
not prevalent among the senior officers
But, unfortunately, duties requiring ordi-
nary descent behavior over small affairs
mostly devolve on subordinates, and it il.
their silly contempt for everybody not
holding the Queens commission that has
Chiefly caused among the Bosrs the present
ineradicsble enmity toward the invaders -