HORSES FOR THE ARMY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 3

HORSES FOR THE ARMY

An “Ex-Trooper” writes: —-Surely it must now be self evident that horses are the prime necessary to the army m Africa. Had any one of onr generals a sufficient number of horses to execute a flank or turning movement, not one or them would have been mad enough to try what they well knew must be of a most deadly character, that is, a frontal attack. As one who has some twentyseven year's’ experience of military tactics, and a thorough knowledge of the modern weapons of war, I would appeal on behalf of the army in Africa to all those who can spare a horse’ or more, to willingly give him np for the use of the poor fellows itr the army of Africa, who are not only fighting the battles of England, but of Australia and New Zealand. I do not mean to say that horses are better than men, but what I do mean is that horses are more necessary to the speedy success of the army in Africa than men. Men are in plenty there, but horses not so. The Boer has shown conclusively tliat in future, With the weapons of precision we now possess, that to be successful an army must be extremely mobile, or easy to move in any direction. The quicker their move- , ments the more certain of success ;■ while a slow-moving army is practically certain of being destroyed. To shoot straight with a rifle a man does’not want to be blown or tired from marching, and that is what our men have been when ordered to attack men who are coolly sitting or lying behind shelter, either of rocks or trenches. Then, if beaten from them, they jump on their horses and in a short time are beyond range of further punishment. Tommy Atkins has a pack of about 801bs to carry on his own .hick, while the Boer lias nothing/but-his rifle and bandolier of cartridges; his horse carries the rest, and the Boer, too, so that he is always comparatively fresh and able to shoot straight. He would soon cave in aid lie know-there was a regiment of cavalry, mounted ■ rifles, or lancers, threatening his means of retreat. Fifteen thousand extra horses for our boys in Africa would do more to bring the. war to a successful and speedy termination than 20,000 men, even the best of New Zealand’s. We cannot spare men, as the colony is not by any means over-populated yet. Horses are much cheaper, and' they will_ require no pensions after the war is over. Qur young men, certainly those who are maimed or criopled, or otherwise unfit to work, will have to be pensioned. Then the horse needs no pay; only a passage and food till he reaches Africa. Our generals will do ' the re ; st. There are thousands of . men who can ride in the army. A man does not require to he a professional to he good enough for a mounted rifleman. He needs his horse principally to save him long marches ; and to place him fresh on the ground where he is to fight] to bring him quickly Up with the enemy before he can entrench himself iii a fresh or advantageous 1 ; position. This is principally what horses:ate wanted for in Africa. ' All the Boers are mounted, and it is nothing but madness to attempt to follow up horsemen with infantry, let them be ever so fine. Let horses, then,_ be sent arid given liberally. I have no intention to insinuate even a'reflection on our gallant, boys, but I, know well that - Horses! Horses! Horses! are more necessary.