Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-07
ADVICE TO KITCHENER
Boer Leaders Should De Pursued by n
Mobile Column.

From the London Express. September "a
There are so many ridiculous amateur
strategfsts ready TO teach Lord Kitchener
how to end the South African war in three
weeks that 1t needs a good deal of moral
courage for man of real knowledge and
recognized position to offer an opiufon ON
the conduct Of the British campa!sn. He
has to stand the chance of being confound-
ed with the ruck OF idiots who think they
know all about 1t. though they have never
been nearer to the scene of war than the
departure platform of Waterloo station.
Hence we are particularly grateful to Dr.
Conan Doyle for his outspoken criticism of
recent British methods. He Is a man who
Knows not only did he give expert service
as doctor during the most trying days of
The war, but he has studied the whole mat
ter as an historian, has written a brilliant
chronicle OF our military operations, ana
since ms return to this country has kept
in close touch with the progress of the
campaign through his military correspond
ehts. Nnen such a man as Dr. Conan
Doyle ventures to formulate a criticism
anu suggest a remedy he is to be listened
to seriously.
The pith OF DR.. Conan DoyIe's remarks
Is contained in the question: Why do we
not go for the heads of the Roer res5st
ance? To use his own apt iIlustration No
are killing long snake by the slow nro-
cess OF cutting off joints from his tail In
lhe END, II we keep on long enough we
shall reach the vital parts of the nonstar
and render ii incapable Of further niscntsf
but the process is very slow, and while we
are vigorously carving our way from the
tan lhe mead OF the snake is operating as
NlGlously ana as vigorously as ever
Why have we not gone for the head of
the reptile? We know approximately where
Botna ls-or was, until his recent outburst
oL ACTIVITY In Natal. We have known any
time during the last six months where To
md the seat of the portable governments
OF the late republics, where Steyn and
Schadk Burgher and Reitz manufactured
thelr procIamations and played at being the
administrative leaders of unconouereS No
lions. When We wanted to exchange polite
Ietters Wfln them, or to arrange for inter-
views we nave known just how to get into
louch with them. Was il impossible for an
armed force to make its way to the goal
with as much certainty as the bearers Of
po.ite messages? If we could reach Mr..
Botha or Mr.. Steyn with a letter couId NE
not reach them with ten thousand sodIars9
Dr. Conan Doyle thinks the thing could
nave been done. His own idea Is to send
OUT Few thousand men with the lightest
posslpie equipment and an adequate sum-
ply OF spare horses, giving them a rowing
commission to track down the Boer cbiefs
IN any part of the theater of war. Such a
lorce would have to take chances 81
course; its mission would be altopethar 80
side the guide books of scientific warfare-
as practlced, let say, at the Gerrno,
maneuVers. But British fighting men OF
al time nave been ready to take chances
quick to master unfamiliar problems of in
vasion, at their best when free froro IT,
check Of routine and red tame with tn
leaders or daring force free to follow the
suggestions of their own genius, VIZ
Such bold stroke might fail2 Yes. but
II "ou.o De worth trying. Let us once get
the heads OF the Boer forces in our hands
and the whole fabric of resistance wouId
crumble into dust. As II is we gather nm
week by week the dregs of the enenv's
COMMANDERS, the reluctant warriors who
are glad or a chance to submit with a show
OF honor: We capture the unconsidered SON
OF Mr.. Kruger. the first cousin once re-
moved from Botha the great-aunt OF ne
Victor some such unimportant relations
who are no loss to the Beers and. no gaIn
TO US. The army of the enemy grows
steadily less, but IL is the best men 80
remain. and they are none the weaker for
the elimination Of their weaklines Onr
plan of campaign may be sure but IL IN
desperately slow.