CAVALRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 8

CAVALRY.

"Cavalry." says Lord -Roberts, 'under the new conditions, becomes more than cv er the arm which demands the highest

training in both officers and men. It has many other duties to fulfil besides the charge. It has always been the arm on which a commander in the field is dependent for the snecess of his operations, and to-day, armed with the rifle, its importance is far greater than heretofore. It is not only to a great extent the source of the information on which the commander bases his plans, but it prevents the enemy from gaining information; it makes surprise impossible, and it completes the victory. It is not too much to say that the fate of an engagement may rest on the good judgment and reports of a cavalry subaltern, and the issue of a campaign on the recognition and seizure of some strategic position by a cavalry brigadier. The duties, therefore, of the cavalry officer are even more varied, and not less difficult, than those of the scientific corps. Xhey require quite as much intelligence and practical knowledge for their fulfil" meut; and I do not hesitate to say that unless our cavalry is officered by the very best men we can tind. physically and .intellectually, we cannot hope to obtain useful results. Without first rate cavalry leaders, and thoroughly well- trained men, god strategy is most difficult, and decisive tactics almost impossible.