The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Thursday January 4,1900. THE WAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3, 4 January 1900, Page 2

The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Thursday January 4, 1900. THE WAR.

.» The Christinas and New Year holidays have passed away and there is still a lack of any cheering news from the seat of war. The reason of Sir Redvers Buller's apparent inaction is found m the inadequacy of the transport service, the same reason telling against any further move forward on the part of Lord Methuen. It will take, we are told, to the middle of the month to get sufficient waggons and mules to guarantee two days supply for the first army oorps from the base ; the seoond line of equipment for further supplies is quite unprovided for ! If suoh be the state of affairs with regard to the forces now at the front, what will be the state of affairs when the later divisions of the army are ready to go the front? Simply ohaos, that is, unless facilities can be obtained locally. Evidently there is going to be a good harvest season for owners of wagons m Natal and tbe Gape Colony. But what oan be thought of the War Office which has fatally failed to comprehend the importance of the transport question, and which has shown m this, as m so many other matters, such a lamentable and almost criminal lack of foresight and prudent provision. No wonder the heads of the War Offioe are falling m for a severe castigation at the hands of the English press, which specially attacks them for their negleot to keep the army supplied with the most modern guns. It is surely a disgrace to tbe War Office, that with practically unlimited fidanoial resources at its command, it has been supplying the British Army with artillery of an inferior character to that purchased by the Boers m Franoe and Germany. So far as the War Office is concerned the war has has been one long series of blunders and mishaps, very largely owing to the crass stupidity and grievous incompetency of the authorities at the Horse Guards, and although Great Britain is paying very dearly for the lesson, she is being taught that British military methods and arrangements must undergo a complete and sweeping reform. Meanwhile, the flood of patriotism whioh has been let loose m the Old Country shows no signs of abatement. The volunteer cavalry regiment, some ten thousand strong, will be a welcome and substantial assistance to the British forces now m South Afrioa. It is to be hoped that the horses will stand the ohange of olimate, and that the disease of " pink eye," which has broken out, will soon disappear. Ladysmith and Eimberley still hold out, and it is reassuring to hear that for some weeks to come provisions will still be available. The Ladysmith garrison have made a successful sortie, proving to the Boers that the beleaguered men have plenty of pluck and fight m them, but on the other hand we have the disquieting news that the enemy's entrenchments are being drawn oloser and closer to tbe besieged town. In the combined Transvaal and Free State camp at Spyfontein there is reported to be serious dissension, no less a person than President Steyn'd brother, Matthew Steyn, having left his command, being dissatisfied with the part taken by his brother as chief of the state. British troops continue to arrive at the Cape, some being sent on to Durban, others proceeding to reinforce Lord Metnuen and Generals Gataore and French. In another ten days Lords Roberts and Kitohener will have arrived at Capetown, and, if by that time the transport difficulty has been surmounted, it is possible that we then will soon hear of a general movement forward on the parts of both Lord Methuen and Sir Redvers Buller. Suoh news as we receive from the Cape and from London with regard to the progress of the war continues to be most meagre, and has to be pieced together with the greatest care, m order that any comprehensive and intelligent idea of the exaot position of affairs can be obtained. With regard to the despatch of New Zealand's second contingent, there is evidently some difficulty m getting men who come under tbe somewhat complicated and exacting conditions. It appears tp us that too great stress is being laid by the Commandant upon the length of volunteer training the applicants have had. The first essentials, so it seems to us, are that the men should be good shots and able to ride well. More parade ground efficiency is hardly necessary, considering the nature of the work the men will have to do. There must be thousands of men m the ranks of the enemy who have never learnt even to form fours ; but m the rough and ready guerilla-like warfare they are now engaged m, this is apparently no great drawback. No time should be lost by tie Defence Department m getting the contingent ready for embarkation, for the sooner the men arrive m South Africa the greater their meed of assistance to the British forces they will join. It is pleasing to note tbe large amounts whioh are being collected m various parts of tbe colony for the Patriotio Fund. The liberality with whioh our colonists are responding to the appeal for monetary aid is most admirable, and does oredit to New Zealanders.