The Defence of Pretoria.

Manawatu Herald, 30 November 1899, Page 2

The Defence of Pretoria.

» Mr Howard C. Hillegas, an American traveller, has just published an interesting book entitled " Oom Paul's People," and he had opportunities of studying South African affairs afforded to few writers. The point which interests us most at this critical juncture in his reference to the country's military resources. We have in fancy imagined General Buller's triumphant march on Pretoria, and therefore what Mr Hillegas has to say on the defences of the capital, and how it has been prepared to resist the onslaught of any number of men, is of more than usual interest. The capital, he believes, is in a condition to withstand a siege of three years. The city lies fn the centre of a square, at each corner of which is a lofty hill surmounted by a strong fort, which commands the valleys and the surrounding country. Each of the four forts has four heavy cannon, four French guns of fifteen miles' range, and thirty heavy Gatling guns. Besides this extraordinary protection, the city has fifty light Gatling guns, which can be drawn by mules to any ,poitt on the hills where an attack may be made. Three large warehouses are filled with ammunition, and the large armory is packed to the eaves with Mauser, Martini-Henry, and WesleyRichards rifles. Two extensive refrigerators, with a capacity of 2000 oxen each, are ample provision against a siege of many months. In addition, the approaches to the mountain passes on the border have been fortified with vast quantities of German and French ordnance and equipped with garrisons of men born or trained in Europe, a further element of difficulty in the way of an attacking force.