Sir Redvers Buller gave evidence before the Commission on Tuesday
and Wednesday. He stated that he was selected for the command in South Africa in June, 1899; and that at the interview with Lord Lansdowne it was agreed that an army corps, a cavahy division, and seven battalions for lines of communication would be enough if the war could be confined to the Transvaal. He represented, however, that it was im- practicable to leave the Orange Free State out of account, the only practicable route being through its territory. Believing war to be inevitable early in September, and holding that the military preparations were not adequate, Sir Redvers urged that steps should be taken by diplomacy to delay the out- break of war, and meantime to strengthen the defence of the Colonies. As Commander-in-Chief-designate, he held that he ought to have been more fully consulted before the opening of the campaign, with regard to which he received no instructions. His own idea had been to enter the Free State and subdue it entirely before dealing with the Transvaal, but events in Natal made it necessary for him to proceed thither. He intended, however, after changing the situation in Natal and relieving Kimberley by Lord Methuen's advance, to resume his original plan of campaign. The relief of Kimberley, he explained, was deemed necessary partly on account of the importance of the place, and partly owing to urgent representations as to its danger made by persons there.
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