The Boer Artillery.

Manawatu Herald, 2 December 1899, Page 2

The Boer Artillery.

The following note by a correspondent at Delagoa Bay appeared in the Cape Times of September 25 :-— " A German artillery officer has passed through Loarenzo Marquez, returning to Europe per German steamer Bundesrath. He had been ■<• .oi> employed for the last three years as instructor in military tactics by the Transvaal Staati Artillery in Pretoria, but had lately resigned his commission. From what he said it seems as if the Boers, in case of war, are depending mainly on their artillery, which very plentiful, and of all kinds and descriptions of the latest and most improved patterns which money can procure and experience manufacture. But there are two grave faulte—the inexperience of the Boer officers and gunners and the ammunition. The latter has given great satisfaction to the crowd of ignorant admirers, but to experienced officers there are many faults* which are likely to prove more disastrous to those who are working the guns than the enemy. On being questioned why he left the Transvaal artillery at this particular moment, he replied in the most open and frank way : * There is sure to be war ; that has been settled long ago. It is expected by the Boers that the Staata field Artillery should stand the heaviest work, both in attack and defence. Being entirely unsupported by oavalry on the Boer side, they will run greater risks, which are nob equalised by. Boers themselves as independent units fighting for their country. The Staats Artillery are about to face the teat equipped and most experienced regular artillery, supported by picked cavalry regiments, recognised in Europe as the finest in the world.' "