Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-10
.KIPLINC'S CRITICISM.
The British Army Appointments
Taken to Task.
LORD ROBERTS WANTED IN AFRICA.
Lord Kitchener Said to Have Accomplished
Nothing Much In Year-The Condi.
tion Of Former President Kruger
Growing Serious.

London, Oct. SIN spite of the
pledges of the government the whole
army machine is to be hauled back as
soon as it may be to the old rules OF
impotence, pretense and collapse
writes Rudyard Kipling in striking
letter to the Spectator, upon the ap'
pointments OF Sir Redvers Butler and
Sir Evelyn Wood to command army
corps. This pungent sentence voices
the national feeling that has pre-.
vailed this week without regard to
party politics.
"The English people," again to
quote from Mr.. Kipling, shave paid
no small price in money and in blood
that there might be born an army
handled by fit and proven leaders"
The Spectator, although among the
most cautious of the governments
supporters, comes out boldly, not only
with a declaration that the appoint.
ments of Gems Butler and Wood are
absurd, but also with a demand that
Lord Kitchener be recalled. This de-
mand is nicely but Enthusiastically
worded.
"From the moment Lord Roberts
left South Africa we seemed to lose
our strategic grasp upon the coun-
try" says the Spectator, and it urges,
though without much hope, that its
suggestion be accepted and Lord Rob-
erts be sent out again. According to
the Spectator Lord Kitchener has
accomplished nothing in year.
1t compares his methods with those
of Grant, but does not believe that
"a hammer man. is the man to com
mand in South Africa, although the
Spectator believes Lord Kitchener
would make an excellent commander
in-chief at home. 1t suggests that
Lord Roberts should go back for six
months, Lord Kitchener either reliev-
ing him in London or acting again
as his chief of staff in South Africa.
"If Lord Roberts went out to finish
the war; says the Spectator, "he
would, we believe, finish it by making
the best possible use of the material
in hand"
The casualty list shows that the
total British losses in the attack on
Col. Kekewich's company at Noed-
will were four officers killed and q
wounded and 81 men killed and III
wounded, numbers much greater
than those heretofore reported.
Owing to the fact thai the Beers
have constantly recaptured the
stock says the Cape Town CORE
spondent of the Daily Mail, "all cat
tie and sheep now captured are i'm
mediately killed. South Africa Is
thus being converted into a black
hopeless wilderness
Condition of Former President Kruger.
The Hague, Oct 5.-A. ID. Wolmar
ans, one of the Boer ENJOYS, who
has been visiting Mr.. Kruger at Hill
versum, found the mental condition
of the former president of the Trans
vaal to be by no means satisfactory
Mr.. Kruger is slowing growing weak
er physically and mentally. His slow
ness in reaching decision ON impor
tant questions is found to be a serious
hindrance to those working in Eu
rope in behalf of the Boer cause. A
the slightest question regarding hi
health Mr.. Kruger exhibits intense II
ritation and vehemently denies tina
anything is wrong. The approach o
winter causes anxiety, as Mr.. kruge
refuses to leave Holland. Accordin
to a remark made by prominen
Boer, the former presidents conditio
would long since have been wors
, II hatred of Great Britain did nc
nerve him to continue.
AN nECIYI TIC m EIDE