War's Brighter Side Part 5

THE FRIEND.

_(Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force.)_

BLOEMFONTEIN, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1900.

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas it is deemed expedient and necessary for the welfare of the Orange Free State that Postal and Telegraph Services shall be resumed in the aforesaid Republic, as far as circ.u.mstances permit,

NOW THEREFORE

I, FREDERICK SLEIGH BARON ROBERTS OF KHANDAHAR, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., V.C., Field Marshal and Commanding-in-Chief of the British Forces in South Africa, do hereby nominate and appoint David George Anosi Falck Administrator of the Civil Posts and Telegraphs in such portions of the Orange Free State as have been, or may hereafter be occupied by British troops. And I do hereby order that the Postal and Telegraph services shall be resumed in the portions of the aforesaid Republic already referred to, from the nineteenth day of March, 1900, under the existing Laws and Conventions of the Orange Free State, subject to such alterations as may from time to time be notified.

Given under my hand at Bloemfontein this Seventeenth Day of March, 1900.

G.o.d SAVE THE QUEEN.

ROBERTS, Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief British Forces, South Africa.

ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA.

ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 15, 1900.

I. _Civil Population to be unmolested._

It being desirable and in the interest of both the British Government and the inhabitants of this country that all residents should be a.s.sured that, so long as they remain peaceably disposed, their civil rights and property will be respected, it is strictly forbidden that any private property should be compulsorily taken possession of by other than the authorised Supply Officers.

All articles required by the troops must be obtained and paid for in the ordinary way, and no trespa.s.sing or interference with the inhabitants will be permitted.

These instructions apply to detached bodies of troops as well as to the Force generally, and it is especially the duty of all officers to put a stop to all attempts to infringe them.

By order, J. W. KELLY, A.-G. for C. of Staff.

ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA.

BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 14, 1900.

It affords the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the greatest pleasure in congratulating the Army in South Africa on the various events that have occurred during the past few weeks, and he would specially offer his sincere thanks to that portion of the Army which, under his immediate command, has taken part in the operations resulting yesterday in the capture of Bloemfontein.

On the 12th February this force crossed the boundary which divided the Orange Free State from British territory. Three days later Kimberley was relieved. On the 15th day the bulk of the Boer Army in this State, under one of their most trusted generals, were made prisoners. On the 17th day the news of the relief of Ladysmith was received, and on the 13th March, 29 days from the commencement of the operations, the capital of the Orange Free State was occupied.

This is a record of which any army may well be proud--a record which could not have been achieved except by earnest, well-disciplined men, determined to do their duty and to surmount whatever difficulties or dangers might be encountered.

Exposed to extreme heat by day, bivouacking under heavy rain, marching long distances (not infrequently with reduced rations), the endurance, cheerfulness, and gallantry displayed by all ranks are beyond praise, and Lord Roberts feels sure that neither Her Majesty the Queen nor the British nation will be unmindful of the effort made by this force to uphold the honour of their country.

The Field Marshal desires especially to refer to the fort.i.tude and heroic spirit with which the wounded have borne their sufferings.

Owing to the great extent of country over which modern battles have to be fought, it is not always possible to afford immediate aid to those who are struck down; many hours have, indeed, at times, elapsed before the wounded could be attended to, but not a word of murmur or complaint has been uttered; the anxiety of all, when succour came, was that their comrades should be cared for first.

In a.s.suring every officer and man how much he appreciates their efforts in the past, Lord Roberts is confident that, in the future, they will continue to show the same resolution and soldierly qualities, and to lay down their lives, if need be (as so many brave men have already done), in order to ensure that the war in South Africa may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

By order, (Sd.) W. F. KELLY, Major-General, Deputy-Adjutant-General, for Chief of Staff.

ARMY ORDERS--SOUTH AFRICA.

ARMY HEADQUARTERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BLOEMFONTEIN, _March_ 16, 1900.

1. _Telegrams._

The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has great pleasure in publis.h.i.+ng the following telegrams which have been received:--

(_a_) From Her Majesty the Queen: "Accept my warmest congratulations for yourself and those under you on your great success. Trust all wounded doing well."--V. R.

(_b_) From His Excellency the High Commissioner: "In a spirit of deep thankfulness I congratulate you and your gallant Army on the rapidity and completeness of success which has attended the recent operations--crowned by the occupation of the enemy's capital."--MILNER.

(_c_) From the Rear Admiral Commanding-in-Chief, Simonstown: "My personal and Navy's heartiest congratulations on your success."--ADMIRAL.

(_d_) From Chairman of the London County Council: "On behalf of Metropolis, whence many of your brave soldiers have been drawn, I congratulate your Lords.h.i.+p's having gloriously reached a point which brings you one step nearer towards final success and peace."--d.i.c.kINSON, Chairman of the London County Council.

(_e_) From the Lord Provost of Glasgow: "The Corporation of Glasgow in Council a.s.sembled offer you and Her Majesty's troops under your command their hearty congratulations on the success of your operations, culminating in your occupation in the Capital of the Free State, and their earnest hope for a speedy termination of the War."--LORD PROVOST.

2. _Distinction._

Referring to Army Order (of March 11, 1900), it is notified for information that Her Majesty orders that all Irishmen, whether serving in Irish Regiments or not, shall be allowed to wear the Shamrock on St. Patrick's Day.

By order, W. KELLY, Major-General, Deputy-Adjutant-General.

NOTICE.

The first hundred copies of our last issue--Sat.u.r.day, March 17, were, by accident, wrongly dated under the t.i.tle on the front page.

The Editors are willing to pay Five s.h.i.+llings each for a few clean copies of this portion of the issue.

THE CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE-STEALER.

(_N.B.--This article is privileged. The Provost Marshal cannot, therefore, take proceedings against the author._)

When somewhere about the beginning of December I arrived at Modder River, I think I may say I was as honest as the generality of mankind. I do not remember any incident in my early childhood and youth which could in any way have been cited as a proof that I had predatory instincts. At home I never stole, at schools I never stole, at Colleges I never stole, and during several years of wandering about the face of the globe I never stole. But since I accompanied Lord Roberts' force from Enslin to Bloemfontein I have stolen freely, and I as freely admit it. Why? Ah, the answer to that question involves deep ethical considerations, and cannot be answered right off. Let me tell my tale, and I fancy that I shall receive the sympathy of most members of the force, and even the Provost Marshal will no longer pine to hang me.

When I left Enslin I was the proud possessor of three fine saddle-horses and two decrepit-looking but st.u.r.dy cart-horses. Now I have to hire a man to repeat daily to me the number of my riding-horses, and I drive about Bloemfontein with a spanking team. I am aware that this confession will make the Provost Marshal's hair stand straight on his head; but let him have a little patience. Let him think what a glorious thing it is to find the one horse-thief in the army. I calculate that about 5,000 horses have illicitly changed hands during the advance from Modder River, and yet I have never found a man who has not most indignantly denied the merest, slenderest imputation of being concerned in a horse "transaction." Therefore--the army is honest, and there is only one horse-thief in it. The honour of the force is saved, and I am the only culprit. This is centralisation with a vengeance, and no longer need the Provost Marshal send his myrmidons galloping far and wide in search of horse-thieves. When next he hears of the loss of a horse, let him come to me--the only thief. I will let him know my address when Martial Law is replaced by the ordinary procedure of justice.