Evening star., 1901-06-21
Capt. Slocum's Observations During
Boer War.
BURGHERS WERE WEAK IN OFFENSIVE
Neglected Opportunity to Strike
Telling Blow.
INFE RIOR IN ARTILLERY

Captain s. l. H Slocum, Sth Cavalry,
who was military attache with the Brit
fsh army during the early part of the
Boer war, has made his report to the
War Department The reports deals large
ly with the details of military operations
Of the British army. and contains much
in the way of technical information of
interest TO military men Some of the
facts brought out were published at the
time of the various movements of the
British army in South Africa.
At the time of the British defeat at CO.
lenso. December p. Captain Slocum said he
considered the situation of the British laost
critical. They had been defeated all along
the line, and had the Beers assumed Of
fensive operations, the English army with
long and thinly guarded lines, would have
been placed in great jeopardy.
Captain SlOcum was also with Lord Rob
erts, and described in detail the movement
toward Kimberley. He says in one place
that Roberts was confronted with crisis
which would have staggered and been the
undOing of many a COmmander-fn-chief.
His advance to Kimberley and beyond was
successfully carried out and the surrender
Of General CrOnje changed the situation
and relieved the critical position of the
British army.
Beers Splendid on Defensive.
says they were splendid on the defensive,
but did not consider offensive movements
part of their proper tactics. He speaks
of the British people nation exemplify-
ing the phrase, brave to fault IF they
were less brave. there would have been
many less faults and more victories in this
war. Caution they have not but just bunt
ahead and take the consequences Lord
Roberts is a shining and glaring exception
to this rule. All in all, consider him to be
a remarkable man and general
Captain Slocum says the English artillery
had tremendous preponderance over that
tillery.
The Lyddite shell proves one of the dis
tinct disappOintments of the war and had
no effect against intrenchments. He says
smOkeless powder enables an enemy
to conceal itself. although artillery may
be located by the fash Balloons and pow
ferful telescopes must be used to locate an
enemy
Referring to the march of the British
army from BlOemfontein to Pretoria. he
speaks OF the Indifference of the officers to
enforce caution and the reluctance of the
soldiers to intrench themselves. The
British infantry never rush in their at
tack. but march calmly forward He saw
mounted waiting for orders to ad-
vance, sit erect. making a perfect target
for the rifle at short range. He adds:
They have not the individuality and
resources Of our men, but for indomitable
courage, accomplishing fOrtftude and i'm
pfcit obedience. they are beyond criti-
ciSm-"
Defeated by an Unseen Enemy.
a very striking Circumstance recorded is
that concerning the battle at Hlangewane
liLl. in which, about 1900 Britishers
fought and were defeated by an invisible
enemy not Boer being seen during the
fight.
Another interesting Incident Is recited
concerning the surrender of Gen. Cronje.
After the Boer general had agreed to Lord
Roberts demand for unconditional sur
render, Captain Lieban. IN company with a
British sergeant was sent to accompany
CrOnje into the British lines.
The sergeant carried a large bath towel
as a flag of trace. While advancing across
an open plain toward the enemy's lines,
the pair We're fired upon by the Beers and
the ssrgeants horse shot under him. This
act Captain SlOcum regarded as an evidence
that the Boer ranks correctly guessed the
mission of the approaching Brtishers and
ev1nced their displeasure in this manner.
The facts. he says, will probably never be
known
The captain states that the automatic
guns used by the Beers were regarded with
d wholesome dread by the British army
their steady pom, pomI POM having a
bad effect on the Britishers' nerves.
Admirable Work by Balloon.
The balloon used by the British army is
said To have done its work admirably as
cendinS about 100 yards from the Boer
ranks. and obtaining information of ines
Unable value, especially for the artillery.
Captain Slocum was not able to find out
anything about the construction of the bal
loon. but says that its practical work was
splendid, the Beers firing on it constantly,
though never with sufficient success to
wing II and bring it to earth
His experience in the Transvaal war has
led captain SlOcum to believe that the
American cavalry Is the best fitted in the
world 10 deal with modern warfare espe-
CiaIIy IN dismOunted fire action.
The automatic pistol, which can be used
either in the hand or aimed from the
shoulder like rifle. is the best form of
revolver ne has yet seen. says Captain
SlocuTn lie comnends the use of automo-
biles in warfare. and says that such a We
hicle, we'll manned. has slow-moving infan-
Try at its mercy.
.