New-York tribune., 1900-11-11
REAL WARFARE AGAIN.
RoERs SHOW DESPERATE COURAGE IN
THE LAST DITCH
CALLS FOR KITCHENER AND MORE RIGoR-
oUs MEASURES IN SOUTH AFRICA
SMITH-DORRIEN'S FIGHT

copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE
London Nov H. 6 a. m.-Fresh details Of the
ereagenents In the Transvaal show that the
Peers are fighting with remarkable courage and
energy De Vets battle with LIE Calais and
DeIisle was most stubbornly contested, and the
guns were abandoned only after display Of
desperate valor Smith Dorren's fighting with
Beers near Belfast lasted forty-eight hours, and
his rear guard was only saved by brilliant de-
fence conducted by the Canadian Dragons.
whose gallantry WED with the valor displayed
by the Canadian contingent at Paardeberg. The
Beers were heavily reinforced in these opera
tons and not only hung persistently upon the
rear and flank of the British column, but even
charged on their horses in front at close quar-
ters This may be the courage Of despair. but
II commands respect.
The Beers are losing men day by day, but now
that they are broken up into small bands with
out artillery or transport they have marked
facilities for carrying guerilla warfare and
are persistent in keeping up a hopeless struggle.
While they carry little food with them. every
farm, is a storehouse for them, where they can
obtain supplies and fresh horses. How they
centrive TO obtain supplies Of ammunition is a
mystery Their stubbornness in refusing to
yieid to the British cannot be explained by the
illusions of Mr. Kruger's mission in France or
i'll founded hopes that Bryan's triumph might
have been helpful TO them. They are fighting
like men who have nothing left to live for and
are resolved to die game. While this final eN-
hibition of genuine Dutch courage commands
British respect, there is no turning back from
the relentless pursuit of the scattered bands.
Sir Alfred Miner has sounded fresh warning
against sedition in Cape Colony, and the military
critics at home are crying aloud for Kitchener
and scientific measures OF dealing with the que
rillas AS the Beers cannot continue the struggle
without obtaining food, horses, arms and re-
crllits rigorous policies advocated by which
they may be virtually isolated, starved out ana
rim to earth One Of the military journals sug-
gests that every fresh recruit from Natal and
Cane Colony caught with arms in his hands
should be tried by court martial and shot. Other
suggestions are that every enemy found in
white flag or Red Cross should be hanged. 1t
is also urged that the districts must be swept
of any cattle, horses and sheep; that farm
houses must be burned and the seditious popu-
lation emptied so that raiders will be unable
to carry on their war General Kitchener is eX-
pected to do ali these things. since mild measures
have been tried without effect.
The Beers on their side reverting to real
campaigning and abandoning train wreck
ing and marauding operations. so that the ap-
olicatjon of stern measures by General Kitchener
will seem less justifable. The last stage Of the
war is deplorable from every point of view, and
the campaign as a whole is sorry sequel 10
the Peace Congress at The Hague. L N F.