Evening star., 1901-10-11
KAISER'S MIMIC WAR
AN ENGLISH CRITIC CONDEMNS GER.
MAN ARMY TACTICS.
Maneuyers at Danxig Magnificent. but
Impossible in Actual
War.

Danzig Correspondence London Express, Sept. 8.
The morning broke clear with no sign of
rain around Danzig. The kaiser passed
the night in the field with his troops ten
miles out. The plan of campaign for the
day was that the Red army, invading
Germany from the direction of Russia,
should cross the River Vistula, moving on
Danzig. The Blue army, acting as de-
tenders, moved out to attack with cavalry
and artillery. The keenest possible rivalry
existed between the opposing forces, both
being eager to obtain the appreciation of
the kaiser. Every one was kept in the
dark as far as possible to prevent any un-
fair advantage being secured by either
side
was attached to the Blues, and received
every possible assistance from Colonel
Waters the British representative; also
from Major Kerr. the American representa-
tive. l also received splendid treatment at
the hands of all the German officers with
whom l came in contact. Arriving on the
field of action, 1 found that the country
consisted mainly of low hills and valleys,
interspersed with pine forests, with here
and there small streams of running water.
Ineffective Scouting.
The Blues pushed forward with great
rapidity. throwing out scouting parties
who, judging from the way they did their
displayed no talent for that class of work,
exposing themselves foolishly on the sky
line. and having no idea how. to take cover.
Had they been operating against the Beers
in Africa four-fifths of them would have
been sniped. The worst exhibition in
scouting l ever saw in Africa was not
nearly so devoid of intelligence and in
itiatative. De Wet as a commander of
scouts would be worth a kings ransom to
the kaiser. After some slight skirmishing
between the advance parties. the Blues
located the main body of Reds, and opened
artillery fire. Some sad bungling took place.
which would have resulted in heavy loss
to the Blues if the guns had been shotted
instead of blank. For a few minutes the
Blues were actually firing into each other
In their excitement.
1 was disappointed with the German
artillery in every way l have seen the
British Royal Horse Artillery in actual
warfare handling their guns under a heavy
rifle fire from marksmen in the Boer en-
trenchment, and our men falling beside
their guns; yet in actual war the British
German gunners. l am not hypercritical,
only l am greatly amazed. l expected a
much better display of gunnery. 1 would
give much to see a German battery operat-
ing against a Boer commando in a strong
position. 1 think the Germans would learn
lesson that would teach them to have
much greater respect for the British field
force. If the German gunners did not fight
80 per cent better than they did today the
Beers would capture every gun they senG
into the field
Spectacular Charge.
After short artillery duel the Blue Cav
airy began dashing forward in the most
reckless manner possible. 1t was a grand
scenic effect, but miserably poor war The
horses proved to be grandly trained, the
men beautifully drilled, sitting their saddles
superbly, but they did not seem to under
stand the nature of horsefesh Regiment
after regiment galloped madly through
heavily ploughed ground, taking all the
ginger out of the horses even before get
ting within hitting distance of the enemy
who lay quiet and sheled them from be-
mind excellent cover. If General French
had made one such blunder in Africa he
would never have been able to repair it.
The horses were beaten when they were
most required Judging by this display of
cavalry tactics, any of the Boer leaders
would make the German cavalry kill all
their horses within three months. Yet as
spectacle to please the populace 1t was
magnificent.
The officer commanding the Reds played
a much sounder game, keeping his artil-
lery going with great effect and hiding the
fact that he possessed infantry supports
and number of quick-f1ring guns After
a few cavalry skirmishes the leader Of
the Blues hurled regiment after regiment
or Morse IN close formation in compact
masses the Red position. II was su-
perb sight to see the men riding like Arabs,
crouching low in their saddles, their spears
glistening and pennons waving; the men
shouting, the horses straining on the bri-
oil They looked invincfble, sweeping down
valleys and up hills, intoxicated with the
madness of the charge.
Piece of Madness.
Just the Blue Cavalry were breastine
the last HILL men and horses knee to knee
stride for stride, like solid wall, the Reds
opened upon them with quick-firfng guns
the devils tattoo. completely staggering
the advancing force. Had it been earnest
few Of that divinely drilled and badly led
DOdy OF cavalry would have lived to tell
the tale They halted, wheeled like a
piece of superb mechanism and tried to
ride home. Like thunderbolt the cavalry
OF the Red army dashed out and into them
By all the laws of war not a man of the
Blues could have escaped. Those that
escaped shot and shell would have fallen
to lance or sword
The day was won. The attack of the
defenders on the invaders had failed, and
In reality Danzig was at the mercy of the
invader. IL one of our generals In Africa
had been guilty of such a piece of madness
Europe would have laughed derisively for
a month Yet this movement was q real
test of German skill in cavalry assaults
To me it seems that Lord Roberts has no
equal as a tactician, and General French
no equal for resource as cavalry operator
The Germans continually ask why We have
not won Africa in two years. If today's
exploits a fair criterion of their mill
tary genius Germans could not win Africa
In two centuries. 1t IS stated that the
Kaiser, after the maneuvers addressed a
biting speech to the assembly Of officers,
condemning In plain terms the reckless
nature Of the attack on the Red position
He seemed greatly disappointed with the
display made by the Blue Cavalry