GUERILLA TACTICS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7159, 9 February 1901, Page 2

GUERILLA TACTICS.

■• Wilting on November 1, the Pretoria correspondent of tho London Times said : -xiencciorrii the options of oil- • roops w- i. be directed to lhe speedy and I complete subjugation of those maraucl?ug bodies of the enemy whose guerilla j tactics render the settlement and paeviijation of tbe ar-.nexed teuitories a matter ot impossibility. Acting indepondently of one another, held together soidy oy the influence of their leaders, protected by the vast areas of rolling vldt, their capacity for mischief is far gioa.er than their numerical strength would imply. ludiffcrent to the damage done to their farms and houses, callous of the misory of their own kith and kin, V- t" * a thou °ht for tfae desires of 10,000 prisoners of war longing to return to their homes, Do Wet, Botha, and IJelarey continue to hold the field, though fully conscious of the futility of their endeavors. The situation isnot without great difficulties and responsibilities, and the nnal stages of the campaign will tequn-eno less vigilance and strategical sk' I than that which preceded them. As the war has progressed the Boers from time to time have had to chancre their tactics. Deprived of their artillery the days of intrenched " kopje "fighting have, now gone by. Lightly burdened, ■vmg on the country as they move along, the whole aim and object; of their enterprise seems directed to the capture of a supply train from which they may secure sufficient booty to carry them through the day. Now and again they pounce down ou mi unsuspected patrol and carry off their rifles and ammunition; prisoners they have long s"ice cea&ed to detaiu. To meet this mode of hostilities, the equipment of a large force of mounted troops, carryma as little, deadweight as possible, and operating in strong detached pairo's I seems highly desirable. Possessed of groat mobility, such a force would be able to scour the country from end to end, destroy such supplies as the farms may harbour, shadow the movements of the enemy, and, if necessary, be able to strke a blow. la ( i.h e second placs the lines of communitatir-i should be well patrolled, and all important points suitably garrisoned and well provision, d, so as to unable the garrisons to supply •tneir own requirements, as well as those oi the mouuted troops as they from time to time may call. Harassed ou all .-ides, prevented trom disturbing the traffic, unable to continue successfully their freebuoting expeditions, the enemy should soou. reach the end of its tether. Hand in hand with these measures tho removal of al persons surrendering voluntarily or otherwise should be rigorously carried "Jto effect. Some difficulty wi'1. be ex^ perienced in ob ai.dng tho requisite nrmoer of mounted men, but no means shor'a be nested, an-t em-y viducenient orL'rcui to retain the mounted forces already :i the Hold, as well as to secure suU mote recruits. Tho enlistment of troopers for the Constabulary under Jlaj^r-General Badeu-Poweli, is not progressing as rapidly as might, be wished ; still, it i 5 believed that applications wi'j be nnmeious once numbers of those who have been carnpaigmng for the lust 12 months return from their well-earned ho'irl>,v.

A PKOBABLE SEVENTH COXTiSGENT. The Times sirs tboprobabj'idos seem to be that before mxc week is out a- call wiil sound tbioughout r.he colony for volunteers ior a Seventh Contin'-ent. lho question of ser.din- uiore men to ihs front will be considered by the Cabmvton JJo:^lav.