CAPTAIN MAHAN ON THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11826, 2 December 1901, Page 5

CAPTAIN MAHAN ON THE WAR.

BRITAIN'S PRESTIGE INCREASED MILITARY POWER OP THE COLONIES. London, November 29. Captain Mahan, the well-known American specialist on naval and military affairs, criticising the Boer war, writes that doubtless the general public everywhere consider that Great Britain has lost prestige, but more careful spectators, especially foreign Governments, believe the Empire emerges stronger and better, notably as regards the military aspects of the colonies.

ARRIVALS IN SOUTH AFRICA. STRINGENT MEASURES. (Received December 2, 1.8 a.m.) London, December 1. Beginning with 1902 no persons will be allowed to land at the Cape or in Natal without a permit certifying that their character is satisfactory and that they are in possession of means for maintenance.

INDIAN STAFF OFFICERS FOR THE WAR, London, November 29. Fifteen Indian staff corps officers are going to South Africa.

MISSING BOER RIFLES. London, November £9. Although 13,000 Boers have been accounted for since May, only 4400 rifles have been taken.

BACK FROM THE WAR. Adelaide, November 30. The Persic has arrived from the Cape with a number of returned soldiers, including six New Zealanders.

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l have been asked by several of my comrades to write in answer to reports recently published in New Zealand papers concerning the return of the Sixtn Contingent before their stipulated term of service had expired. I may say this report is absolutely untrue, as no member of this regiment lias any desire to shirk the work we have been at for the last eight months, but, on the contrary, all are doing their best to keep up New Zealand's reputation and do credit to themselves. Taking into consideration the fact that we have done more trekking and chasing the enemy than any earlier contingent, and received praise from our general for our persistence, you will agree that we have rpason to rightly feel insulted at such a report being received with credence by the people at home, who might at least have ascertained whether it was the whole contingent or only a " homesick member" who made such a despicable inquiry. But we believe a mistake has been made, and it was, perhaps, with reference to some of the officers in the first contingents, who signed on with us foi six months' extra service, that the question was raised. We cannot believe any of our boys did ask what has been reported. However, the harm is done now. Our reasons for sending this are that you may publish it, and show at least a portion of the public that they have no reason to feel we have tarnished the reputation gained by the earlier contingents. Hoping this will get to you safely.—l am, etc., Trooper Alfred I!. Morton - , Sixth N.Z.M.R. ,\V akkerstroom Plants, S.E. Transvaal, October 26 1901.