THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11631, 19 April 1901, Page 5

THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

INTERVIEW WITH MB. G. HUTCHISON, M.H.R. SOME CAUSTIC CRITICISMS. ' [FEOM OUR OWN COHUBSrONDEKT.']

London, March 16. During my conversation with Mr. George Hutchison M.H.R., the subject of South Africa and its war naturally came up, and I asked him what general impressions he had brought away on this all-absorbing topic.

"You must remember," said Mr. Hutchison, " that my impressions l are only those of one who was a comparatively short time on the spot. But I did go over the battlefields with men who had been engaged on one side or the other, and so I did form certain impressions. "In the first place, I am amazed at the stupendous blundering and inconceivable ineptitude, both political and military, commuted by the British Government and the British commanders at "almost every stage of the war from its outset. I don't know who is responsible for that historic cable message, ' Unmounted men preferred,' but his name ought to be preserved as that of one of the greatest blunderers on record. Just imagine objecting to mounted men in a country of such.vast extent where the only means of transit consisted of two single-line narrow-gauge railways which at any moment could be blocked or blown up by half-a-dozen Boers in the darkness ! It was an inconceivable fatuity. And then look at the original hesitation' of the Government to employ colonial troops at all. Why, the colonials have, been the mainstay of the Empire in this war. I really don't know what England would have done without them against such an enemy. They have been simply splendid from first to last, and I am delighted to say that our own New Zealand men stand second to none in their records or in the estimation of all who have observed their work."

"How about the various 'regrettable incidents V What are the rights of those affairs at Colenso, Spionkop, etc ?" "That battle of Colenso," said Mr. Hutchison, "was on© of the most amazing and incredible pieces of fatal blundering ever precipitated. I went carefully over the whole battlefield with a .man who had been, pressed into the Boer service as a telegraphist, and who pointed out all the feature's and dispositions of troops on both sides. Our men were simply hurled in close formation against impregnable defences bristling with powerful artillery, expressly prepared for their reception, or in other cases they were blindly led straight iiit.o traps which had been carefully set and baited for them. If the Boers themselves had directed the operations they could not have regulated things better in their own interests. At every point where a trap was laid for the British, the British commanders took their men straight in. No wonder we were badly beaten. It could not possibly have been otherwise with such tactics. ~

"As you are aware, Buller wanted 'to abandon Ladysmith to its fate, ". and only went forward on receiving Lord Roberts' perenyptory orders that he should do so. He did then undoubtedly display much dovged perseverance, but as for his tactics ! Then at Spionkop. It had become an absolute shambles, that is true, but when we retired from it the Boers were just about to . trek. Three hours more would have made it safe and saved us the key of the position. It was a melancholy and costly mistake." "What about this second war or re--crudescence of the war ? Was Lord Roberts justified in coming away and allowing so many troops to leave ? Do you think that farm-burning was judicious 1" "Lord Roberts," replied Mr. Hutchison, "is of course a splendid tactician, but I should not call him a wise politician. We have suffered all along from our tendency to sink into a sort of lethargy after each success. It was so after Bloemfontein, and again after Pretoria. We seemed to become paralysed by our success, and so, instead of adequately following 'up our victories and providing against a revival of resistance, we usually threw away much, of the fruits of victory. For instance, after capturing Bloemfontein and Pretoria, wo took no satisfactory steps for protecting those burghers who.had' submitted and promised allegiance. We left them exposed to the attacks of their infuriated fellow-Boers, who consequently punished them for their submission, and compelled them to take up arms again. How could the unfortunate farmers help it? We did not protect them, and they, could not protect themselves. Thus the .active Boer commanders have been able to bring about this serious recrudescence of resistance and evon attack. It was a grave blunder .in policy to take no steps toward the security of'those who were willing to be friendly. Most of our recent troubles have originated in this mistake. "'

"As for (.ho farm-burning;," continued Mr. Hutchison. "I regard that as-an utter and unqualified blunder and folly. Its gross injustice .alone is enough to condemn it. imagine the ease : A length of railway is destroyed by a few Boers who have erupt up in the night. Therefore you bum down the nearest, farms! Could anything be more unjust or irrational? It lias done much to inflame the animosity of the Boers, and I feat it will never be forgotten to our discredit. It was a proceeding of the grossest folly, to say the le'ast. Still, I think the war is nearing its end now, if only because the Boers' means of resistance arc being steadily exhausted. They are being steadily driven more and more into this corner, that they will be without stoves and ammunition. Then resistance must collapse. My own opinion is that if Botha can be induced to surrender, then De Wet and De la Roy and all the rest will come. it). And I do not think that is far distant. When you consider the enormous efforts that England is now putting forth—virtually straining the whole force of the Empire—there can be but one result when the other side becomes exhausted. "As for the departure of. Lord Roberts and the 0.1.V.'5. "and those other troops last autumn, the fact is that most people in South Africa really believed that the war was practically over, and did not expect fcho subsequent recrudescence. But Ido believe- that the end is very near now. •";./. "What do you think of South Africa s power of recuperation after peace "is restored?' ' ~ "I do not doubt it for a moment, said Mr. Hutchison. "As you are aware, the resources of South Africa, especially in minerals, are simulr enormous, and its climate is superb. I feel assured that so soon as the work of recuperation once begins, it will go on with remarkable speed and success. There is no doubt as to the future of South Africa. It will be a great and a bright one." .____