The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-07-12
ENGLAND'S LESSONS FROM
THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
rs YIEWEp by PROMINENT ~ENchIsHMEN.
ByW. MACDONALD SINCLAIR

Archdeacen Of london. -, f-om b.r iono .o,a;ct -
South Africa. might enumerate them something like the following:
G) The necessity of a clear, enlightened, undertaking policy in
regard to the welfare Of the nations colonies. In Cape Colony, Eng
lands policy before the war was undecided, hating and Unbalanced.
Sir Bartle Frere, the most long-sghed and at the same time the
most cautious Of statesmen, was ~unheeded. The country was i'll
supplied with intelligence as to the action of the rival republics of the
north, which were greatly inflated by the peace after the unhappy
campaign Of 1881. The defense of Cape Colony and Natal was neg
lected.
H) The absolute and unqualified success Of Lord Woseeys
creation of a reserve: 90 per cent. obeyed the summons. The per-
feet condition OF equipment in which the largest army that ever left
Englands shores was sent out by Lord WoIseley and the Horse
Guards.
I'd The need OF a great horse breeding establishment for the
army for which purpose Cyprus would be very convenient, and the
establishment Of an adequate remount depot at the seat Of war in
any future campaign. The creation in time Of war OF a corps of
grooms to bring the horses and mules from foreign countries when
necessary; SO many died through the incapacity of their attendants,
hastily hired, and under no discipline. Another point seems the lack
Of mobility in the regular cavalry regiments, and the question whether
the organization of light transport for them would be possible.
W 1t is hardly necessary to speak of the loyalty OF the English
colonies. The supply Of men they were ready to raise seems I'M
limited.
(9 The Importance Of mounted infantry. 1t seems as if those
yeomen who could not ride or shoot might have remained at Cape
Town for a considerable period of training.
@ The supreme importance of scouting and en~trenching.
~ The unanmity and enthusiasm of all classes of the country
in a common cause; and the exemplary courage, manlness, cheerful
ness, patience, kindness, endurance and humanity Of the British
soldier.
() The critical and momcntous Importance Of Engands com
HdHdL VI tC SSdS, AIN lC pOSSSSSlOu VI great HSetS VI HdIOu dHu
independent merchantmen.
= u nw.nn - The most notable lesson of
DyolN EDWAND MALI, Englands war in South Africa is
:" -"s"H N"D'~~1" F" 'sHSHy' that our defective military system
was a foremost factor in bringing it about, and is a positive danger
to our existence as an empire. Until we can bring ourselves to
acknowledge that it is the duty Of every British subject to take his
share and bear his burthen the protection of the great empire OF
Britannia, which is his inheritance, this danger will always be with us
Consumption is a word Of bad odor in England, principally be
cause it is an institution Of foreign growth and because we are I'M
fmri;ar Nth II II we uere ywca enough III adont If I'VE should soon
find that it gave the country renewed energy, life and strength. But
this IS not the place to descant on its advantages. / would merely
point out, for the sake Of bringing the matter into line with the
question of the most notable lessen of the war, that if we had had
CONSUMPTION, the war would not have taken place. To carry the
conviction Of this home, need only ask whether anyone supposes
that the Beers would have ventured on war il, in addition to our
navy and our means of transport, we had enjoyed a military organiza-
ton which gave us an army approaching in numerical strength and
efficiency that OF any continental hrst-cass power?
This is the most important lesson Of the war, and until the mar
in the street has learned it, and has shown by his vote that he means
his representatives in parliament to act on it, we shall be exposed
to the danger Of its repetition.