Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1940, Page 4

As something thoroughly typical of Mr Churchill, and in keeping with his life’s actions as a whom, there is a puiagraph in las writings dealing with Ins experiences in the Boer war. Mr Churchill went to the* field of action as the war correspondent of the Loudon “Morning Post,” and was a passenger on the ship which took Sir Red vers Boiler, tile British Cbminander-iu-Chief, to Capetown. Arriving, lie did not wait lor, the main advance, but went to tlie front- where matters were going badly for the small British force,, intending to return, and join the later main advance. He intended going to Ladysmith, then a central point ol the war, and on the way up took a hand in a hazardous expedition with an armoured train, which was eventually ambushed, and when making his escape, Churchill was captured by no less a person than General Botlia, though neither knew each other’s identity till long after at a London dinner, Churchill .recounted the incident, and Botha said; “It was 1 who took you prisoner.” Although a prisoner, it was left for the resourceful Churchill to make his escape, which he- did with difficulty and danger. But in later years, when writing his bo-ok of experiences, lie wrote the following paragraph which reveals his insight into men and matters, when war is afoot, and put on record his views as to what should be learned before taking up arms: “Let us learn our lessons. Never, never, never, believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on that strange’* voyage can measure Hie tides and hurricanes lie will encounter. The Statesman who- yields to war fever must realise that, once the signal is- given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of uiiforseeahle and uncontrollable events. Antiquated War Offices, weak, incompetent or arrogant Commanders, untrustworthy allies, hostile, neutrals, malignant Fortune, - ugly surprises, awful miscalculations —all take their scats at the Council Board on the morrow of a declaration of war. Always remember, however sure you are that you can easily win. that there would not be a war if the other man did uot think he also had a chance.”