New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
WEARING DOWN THE BOERS
LATEST PHASES OF THE WAR IN sorrTH
AFRICA
MR.. BRoDRICKs ARMY SCHEME HOLLOW
sHAM-TRIAL OF THE sHAMRoCKs.
Copyright: 1901: By The New-York TrfbuneD
IBY CABLE TO TRIBuNEl

lBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUsEl
London. May ). 1 a. m.-General Kitcbener.s
busnesslike inventories of ammunition and
stock captured and Beers killed wounded and
taken prisoners confirm the general impression
that the campaign in South Africa has become
q process OF wearing down resistance by con-
slant attrition. There can be no exultation over
the results of a conflict In which the Beers are
hopelessy overmatched, and the English press
does not attempt TO exaggerate the Importance of
Insignificant incidents, nor even take note of
what is going on. II is simply regarded as a.
bit Of rough work which must be put through
by mechanical means. Cattle horses and am
munition are now scarce among the Beers, and
this is a clear indication that the end is draw
ing near. 1t is probable that the commanders
still in the field do not exceed more than two
or three thousand men, all told and that the
bands Of guerillas ordinarily are not over two
hundred strong. Neither Botha nor De Wet has
been actively employed for long time
Recruiting returns confirm the suspicion that
the military reorganization scheme is q hollow
sham. Army officers point exultantly to the
fact that the militia has been depleted and bled
TO death by transfers to the regular army, and
that II cannot be strengthened by recruiting
when the service with the volunteers offers u
rnartinets is that conscription under modified
form Of ballot must be introduced or the militia
will be decirnated. This is practical evidence
that Mr Brodrick's scheme is regarded by the
army as a halfway house TO conscription. The
weakest point in that scheme has been dis
covered by a group of Imperaist Unionists. who
intend to force debate upon ii. This is that the
War Office does nothing TO develop the auxiliary
forces of the colonies, which have been of in
estimable value during the war. These Inn
perialists hold that there ought TO be con-
ference in London of military representatives
OF Canada, Australia, New-Zealand, Natal and
Cape Colony. for the adoption of measures for
the recruitment and organization OF a permanent
colonial force for the defence OF the empire
Gilbert Parker is taking active interest in the
matter. and will probably move an amendment
at early date.
The dispatches from Cowes describe the first
spin between the two Shamrocks in a slight
northeast wind. Mr. Watsons boat seems TO
have outsailed Mr.. Flies, but the test was only
for short distance and was inconclusive
Neither Yacht was properly tuned for racing,
and the crews were mainly employed in stretch
ing the sails The accident by which the second
Shamrock ran aground and remained fast until
the tide turned was not a serious mishap, and
the Erin finally towed her into port Yachting
experts were impressed with the speed of Wat
sons boat and her quickness in stays, and
there is a tone of confidence in the earliest
descriptions of her performance on southampton
Water Public interest in the Cup races Is slug
gish. There was overconfldence when Flies
boat was lauded as the fastest yacht afioat' and
Watson's craft will have to win the cup before
q hurrah Is raised. !. y. F.