[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1
SIR,—In the Spectator of October 28th appears a eulogistic
poem by Mr. F. Edmund Garrett on the deeds of the Johannesburg " Outlanders " (Imperial Light Horse) at Elandslaagte, and a memorial has been erected on the spot. An incident during the same battle, in which the Boer
farmers were opposed to some of our best regiments, and which was published in the Natal Mercury, is worth record- ing, of a small squad of eight Boers :— "These bold fellows, probably by order of their leaders, ran forward, and coolly stood up against the onrushing enemy. Under ordinary circumstances this would have been a mad, suicidal act. The intention was to place themselves in that fatally conspicuous position, and fire at the Light Horse who were advancing, and thus to divert the attention of the enemy, that their own men might change their positions with greater celerity and safety. Such a deed would have condoned the ceasing of fire by the British troops, had such been possible. They stood solidly in the full range of the merciless fusillade and fired. Seven of the brave fellows fell dead at once. Their deed will live in the annals of human heroism. It is a glad duty to pay a hearty tribute to this deed of valiance."
The Boers are forbidden by the Peace Preservation Act to erect any memorial or indulge in any eulogy of the war. Only two years ago a schoolgirl in Cape Colony was fined £1 for wearing a " Christian de Wet" feather in her hat ! A small booklet of "Poems of the Veldt" recording some noble deeds, is not allowed to enter the Colonies.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Eaton Place. J. S. TROTTER ("Pro-Boer"),
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