New-York tribune., 1901-01-08
EW:YoRK DAILY TRIBUNE TUESDAY JANUARY s 1901

10 learn in the art of harassing superior force
IN the earlier stages of the campaign they ex
pefimented with artillery under foreign tuition.
Ihey nave now fallen back upon their rifles and
thelr devices as race of hunters Their won
derful adaptability has been displayed at every
stage. AS soon Lord Methuen and General
Buller attacked persistently in front they made
preparations against these tactics measured
Instances for their concealed guns and ran out
trenches and tangled barbed wire obstructions
at the point of expected assault When they
discovered that Lord Roberts persisted in turn
ing movements they weakened the centre of
their line and strengthened their fanks. When
they suspected that Lord Kitchener would have
recourse to flying mounted columns for so-called
police work against raiders they resumed opera
uons on large scale, centred at points remote
one from another, advanced boldly for assault
and reproduced in the Western Transvaal the
Nicholson's Mex of the earlier stage of the war.
In this way the campaign. fraught at every turn
with surprises, has been continued with wonder
full endurance and staying power. No race has
ever displayed greater versatility and resource
in defensive warfare.
Mobility has been the greatest Boer gift, and
in a protracted hopeless struggle it has been
the strongest resource. If the commanders, af-
ter being broken UP near Bethlehem and driven
eastward from Pretoria to Lydenburg and the
Portuguese border, had remained inactive they
would have gone TO pieces. They have been
kept in the saddle. and they have regained their
spirits and fighting force. The British infantry
battalions without doubt have suffered from in
action. The bulk of the great army now in
South Africa has been sitting tight in various
camps, doing routine garrison work, losing zest
for the campaign and becoming debilitated from
outbreaks Of enteric fever The battalions and
mounted forces which have been constantly in
motion, have retained their health and ardor,
but inaction has produced in many posts and
camps a listless feeling Of WEAKNESS and
Inconsistencies The Beers are constantly in
active service. and a life of adventure
apparently suits them They are not ia
tgued with camp drill and routine work. They
have no exhausting marches on foot, for in the
end as in the beginning they ride their po-
nies and can depend upon seeing the enemy
long before they are themselves discovered.
With their wonderful sight, with their skill as
crack shots and with their knowledge OF every
foot Of ground and every turn Of the river, they
are well fitted for conducting the harassing war
fare which is now going on; and so long as
niealies are TO be had and the secret hiding
places of ammunition not empty they are
ready TO fight. / asked one of the most compe-
tent war correspondents yesterday how long he
expected the Beers TO hold out. six months"
was the answer. After few minutes OF delib-
Grafton repeated the question TO an old soldier
who had seen ar6uous service in India ana
Egypt "I make no prediction" was the grim
response. Every forecast which have heard
during the last fifteen months has been falsified
II has been a war OF surprises, and it is the un-
expected that invariably happens l. n. +.