The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-08
Bloch on the Roer War.

In a recent lecture in London N. de
Bloch, q distinguished Russian author
ity on military matters. dealt at length
with the conditions and elements which
had enabled the Beers So To prolong the
war in South Africa against a force
which, numerically considered. has been
simply overwhelming. He discredited
the idea, SO prevalent. that the British
failure speedily 20 crush the Beers has
been OWNS TO- any inherent weakness in
the British army. either IN its personnel
or its organization. compared with the
other great European armies. express
ing the opinion that the German army
would have been no more successful
Nor does H. de Bloch ascrIbe the reIa-
tive success Of the Beers to any excep-
tional fighting qualities " hich they pos
sess
Briefly, the conclusion of this eminent
Russian is that all the recent inventions
and changes in the art Of war have
been Of a character 10 give the dafen-
sive force great advantages. He points
out particularly the long range. quick
firing. smokeless rifles. and the adop-
ton OF neutral col0rs in uniforms.
which render the men. when well-dis-
persed and ar a considerable distance,
almost invisible. Undoubtedly there is
a great deal lU this. An army on the
defensive, reasonably vyeI-sheItered
and armed with repeating rifles that
VIII Kiln at mile or more. cannot be
dislodSed by a direct attack save at a
tremendously disproportionate loss to
the assailants, and not at all. except by
an immensely superior force.
But this does not state the entire case
with reference to the South African
struggle. Other wars have lately occur
red. in which the most of the new in
ventions spoken of have played a part.
The Greco-TurIzish war and our own
conflict with spain may both be men
toned. In each Of these the forces upon
the offensive won as rapidly and easily
as they ever did in earlier wars.
We must conclude. therefore. that there
has been something else operating in
favor Of the Beers separate and apart
from the inventions which tend 90 favor
the armies on the defensive. Among
these may be mentioned as Of perhaps
the first importance the peculiar tao
tics Cf the Beers Occupying a sparscIy
settled country Of wide extent, they
have dispersed themselves over il in
such manner as TO compel a much
greater scattering of the invading
forces.
But to carry on such "a war indom-
liable tenacity Of purpose and a spirit
Of complete scIf-Sacrifce are required
both of which Uuquestiunahly CharaC-
terize the Beers as a people. Almost 10
man they have taken the field. re-
gardless Of what becomes Of their
homes. Their base Of supplies is wher-
ever they chance 20 bivOuac for the
night They aim 10 protect no particu-
lar point, they endeavOr 10 avoid battle
unless they can fight with advantages
on their side. and their purpose has
been simply 10 prolong TIE struggle
until either financial considerations or
international complications might force
Great Britain 10 grant them peace with
Independence.
1t is doubtful if business. social or
geographic! conditions would enable
any European State 70 maintain such
q struggle as the Beers have made
AZ" inst the great military power OF En-
gland At the same time the elements
referred 10 bv NJ de Bloch have un-