The Boer War.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12195, 20 February 1903, Page 5

The Boer War.

,THE:. CAMPAIGN IN' NATAL. ,

GENERAL

HfS HELIbGRAHt.WLIDT^WItB:.

Ylnited. Press, _ Association.— By Elec- , . trie Telegraph^— Copyright. ( . London, February 19. General Buller, in hia. testimony before the War. f Commission, said he withdrew the guns from Colenso early as the guns .were too close to the enemy, which was contrary to his intention. The openness of the ground, the exhaustion of his men, prevented his covering" the guns: Their rescue would have required ' many men to have bedn under fire until night, and possibly . they would not have succeeded without great .loss. The action at Spiorikpp enabled the men to gain a knowledge of war, and confidence in themselves and officers, "besides inflicting on the enemy great loss in men ari&~morale.

The existing training system he considered was inimical t© independ-A ent judgment in action. Men knew how to do things, but not what to do.

His telegram on . December 15th merely implied the abandonment of an immediate aitempt to relieve Ladysmith. Owing to the Government not consulting him, he was deprived of a fifth division, and he did no.t consider himself strong enough to relieve that place. The Government's sending- a division to Modder River was interpreted t!J mean that they preferred the relief of Kimberley. The heliogram was intended to be followed only in the event of Oneral White's inability to hold out for a month, as he hoped that it was practicable for General White to break out and join hands with him.