The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-15
HOUSTON, SUNDAY. APRIL IL, ipoc
% PAGES TODAY.
THE Beers, MILITARY STRENGTH

The world has marveled at the success
of the Beers displayed since Bloemfonten
became the base OF operations for the
British army preparatory to Its march on
Pretoria. Military experts and critics
have INDUCED variety Of opinion and
explanation that has brought little en-
lightenment to the public. Here Is an
editorial review of the situation from
the Kansas City Star that presents an ex-
PLANTATION. predicated upon the statements
of Prussian officer, which does explain.
What LieutenaAt Christian Denoker of the
Prussian Guard Rife corps reserve said OF
the Boer war last October in Kansas City,
has come true. He claimed the Beers were
not soldiers according to modern military
standards. They were warriors. or lndiyldual
fighting men, who exetlled disciplined sol
diers In small bodies TO degree that the
soldiers would invariably be beaten and cap
tured when away from the main body Of tue
army. ON the other hand, whenever the Beers
undertook the larger game OF war they
would be defeated by the British.
The reason for this. said the German oth-
cers--who had been In the Boer country
is that each Boer shoots on HIS own account.
whereas the ordinary military rlhe nre Is
simply fuslllade or general DISCHARGE n ,,a
effectual in battle where thousands OF men
deliver a great volume OF IRE, ID next 10
worthless against lew men WHO tAeFcisu
their individual discretion in seeking cover
and In shooting. Hence, q hundred Beers. or
Texas cowboys or a hundred men of the Old
United States Indian fighting regulars. coulu
attack and force several times their NUMBER
of. European soldiers to surrender
On tho contrary. the Beers, IL Assembled
in large force as soldiers, would De pe uIs,u
in the scientific art OF war. which consists
OF moving bodies OF troops, as Konerts toree,.
Cronje to retreat and relieved Kimberley VIII
hardly any fighting Lieutenant Dencker sh't
his beaten IL tne1
permitted the British to penetrate to pretori'
-necessitating the protection OF llne o
in small bodies attacked the British line o
supplies and communication. But, H the!
undertook to fight the British troops OF thel
own game of war the Beers we're certain
be defeated In the long run.
This Prussian officers observation, 4
the light of war events in South Atrles
carries the weight of prophecy Practi
cally without assistance the British arm
has been permitted to take up its head
quarters In Bloemfontein, many miles die
tant from its supply base, whore it
held in check by mobile bands of Doe
soldiers detached from the main bod!
10 gobble up every small British fore
that thrusts It's front beyond the reach {
Lord Roberts guns. Moreover, thes
omnipresent Beers daily threaten the Bri
ish line OF communications so serlousl
as to keep Lord Roberts heavy and some
what unwieldy forces hemmed In and Prs
toria long ways off.
Meanwhile, Winston Churchill's est
mate that 1t would take 100000 troops
squelch the Beers. which was at nrs
ridiculed in over-confident London,
forcing Itself to yerlncatlon. There al
now $4,000 British soldiers in sout
Africa and more on the way. Tho OF
is not yet. Lion hearted old cronje
of to st, Helena. but Botha, De Wet eli
Olivier are still leading their follower
OF and the spirit OF the hero OF Paarde!
burg, even now, rides in the battle stor
that pounces down upon every BIRTHS
column that strays from It's pondero
base.