WARS PAST AND FUTURE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7667, 28 March 1903, Page 4

WARS PAST AND FUTURE

CRITICAL YIEWS OJf THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. <^ Befora the War Commission., on Feb. 9, Lord Roberts took up the narrative of his evidence in continuation of his testimony given at the-- inquiry in December last. In referring to the negotiations as to the surrender of General Eotha immediately after the occupation of Pretoria^ the .Comma nder-in-Chief stated his view as to the causes which inspirited the Boers at that date to renewed reaistauce. In reply to a question pjs to the attack oil Paardeberg on Feb. 18, 1900, he said it was not, in his opinion, unreasonable on the part of the officers directing operations in the circum- „' »taaces to make the attempt. Lord Roberts went en to say that ho was obliged to rely much for the protection of ' hii lines of communication on untrained ■ troops and officers, and he gave instances of the risks thereby incurred. He considered that future wars' would require a. much larger mirubcr of mounted] men, and that cavalry ir.ust be trained to fight on foot, rsJDg the rifle, but ako trained for shock ' tactics ii occasionally necessary. In infantry individuality should be encouraged, especially in officers commanding companies. Subalterns and non-commis-sioned officers and men trained as mounted infantry should also ba largely increased. "' Staff officers should be more carefully * fcnined in the use of maps and the know- " ledge of ground.