The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-13
SOLDIERS ARE STARVING
Great Brllaln's Troops in South Africa Are
Worn 10 Shadows.
THEY CAN BARELY STRUGGLE ALONG
wnr Correspondent VIGOROUSLY
Arraixns the Red Tape that Keeps
Food Away from the soldiers

correspondence of the Associated Press.) |
London. August A G. Hales, repre-
sentative in South Africa OF the Daily
News. IL the latest war correspondent to
attack the methods and the red tape OF
the British war office. He says: Let
me tell you how our army in Africa Is
treated by the incompetent people IN the
city of London; ! pledge my word as
a man and journalist that every written
word is true will add nothing nor de-
tract from nor set down aught in malice.
If my statements are proven false, then
let me be scourged with the tongue and
pen Of scorn from every decent Briton's
home and heart forever after for ne WAC
lies about his country at such an hour
as this is of all traitors the West
will deal now particularly With the men
Who are acting under the command OF
Lieutenant General Sir Leslie Rumble.
This good soldier ana courteous gentle
man, who has to hold a frontage line
from Winburg via Seneake almost to the
borders OF Basutoland, his whole iron
extending nearly a hundred miles, is
constantly threatened by an active,
dasntng determined enemy, an enemy
Who knows the country tar better than
an Engli-h fox hunnng squire knows the
ground he hunts over season after sea
son. To hoia this vast line intact Cen
erai Rumble has TO march from point 10
point as his scouts warn him of thl
NOV -ents OF his tireless foe.
General Ruadie's task 10 colossal
one and any sane man would think that
.gantic efforts would be made 30 ke3p
him amply supplied with food for his
soldiers But such IS not the case.
The men are absolutely starving Many
OF the infantrymen are so weak that they
can barely struggle along under the
weight of their soiderly equipment.
They are worn TO shadows and move with
weary, listless footsteps on the marcA.
People high up in authority may deny
this. but he who denies 1t sulnes the
truth.
This Is what the soldiers get to eat
what they have been getting to eat foI
long time past and what they are likely
TO get for a long time TO come, unless
England ruuses herself and bites 70 tbs
bone in regard to the people who are
responsible for IT, One pound Of raw
-four. which the soldiers have TO cool
after hard dag s march. is served tx
each man every alternate day. The fol.
lowing day be eats one pound OF bis
cults In this country there is no fuel OK
cepting little OK dung dried by tn,
sun. II a soldier is lucky enough to picl
up little ne can get the best water o
which there is plenty, mix his cake with
out yeast or baking powder and maxi
some sort OF a wretched mouLhful. ii
gets one pound OF raw fresh meat daily
which nine times out OF ten he can no
cook. and there his supplies end.
What has become of the ratlous OF rum
of sugar. of tea, of groceries generally
Ask at the snug little railway siding
shar no. d.
ten. Ask in the big store in Capetow
and other seaports. Ask In your countr!
where countless thousands OF pounds
worth OF food stun lie lotting in the ware
houses. bound up and tied down with re
tape bandages. Ask, yes ask. but don
stop ssking-damn somebody high up
power. Don't make some wretched under
ling be made the scapegoat OF this crimr
al offense. for the faint OF this shametl
thiHg rests upon you-upcn every Brito
whose home, privilege and prosperity
being ssfeguarded by these men. Tn
folk in authority will probably tell yo
that General Rumble and his spleudi
fellows are so Isolated that food cann
be obtained for them. ! say that this
false. for recently l. in company with al
other CORRESPONDENT. left General Rumble
camp without an escort. We made OF
way in the saddle, taking our two Cal
carts With us to 'Winburg railway static
icdtAuE bhI uDTEe uthn iueTE. we LOt
the train for East London. then back
the junction and down to Capetow
where We remained for torty-eight h0u
and then made our way back to Winbe
and from Winberg we came without
escort. to rejoin General Rumble at Har
mona. IL two war correspondents cou
traverse that corntry and get throu
with winter supplies. for themselves. W
can not the transport people manage to
the same? These transport people ate
to look with contempt upon a war CO
respondent and his opinions on thin
military: hut IL we could not mana
transport better than they do. most of
would willingly stand up and allow o,
selves 10 be shot
Our men are on the fields OF war and
mine whilst millions worth Of food n
rotting on every wharf and in our cities
food that ought with ordinary manag
Iuent be within easy reach OF our 6ghti
generals. Britain asks OF General Runc
the fulhllment OF task that would t
the energy and ability OF the first genel
In Europe. and with asHtout heart he fac
the work in front OF him-faces Il vi
men whose knees knock under tn,
when they march. with hands that sha
when they shoulder their rifles. not w
fear. but with faintness, from poverty
blood and muscle. brought about by ca
Jtinual hunger. Are these men fit TO stol
z kopie? Are they at to tramp the witt
" night through to storm a position?
! tell you no. And yours be the sha;