[7] Quoted in _M.A.P._, March 3, 1900.




CHAPTER IV

ELANDSLAAGTE AND RIETFONTEIN

The Unknown Commander of Cavalry--Who is General
French?--Advancing without Reinforcements--"This is your
Show, French"--The White Flag--The Chess-Player--The Victor
in Anecdote.


From the end of the South African War until the outbreak of the
European War the British nation had never taken its army seriously. At
best it had shown very tepid interest in its work. Some brief Indian
skirmishing might momentarily flash the names of a few regiments or a
stray general upon the public mind. But for the most part we were
content to take the army very much for granted, forgetful of Mr.
Dooley's sage pronouncement that "Standing armies are useful in time
of war." Prior to the Boer War the public ignorance on the subject was
even more appalling.

[Page Heading: A NEW STAR]

At the opening of the South African campaign there was a good deal of
vague discussion as to who should have the cavalry command in Natal.