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bullet is a British invention, and that in 1899, at the Hague, in spite of the remonstrances of all the other Powers (except America), we insisted upon the right to use it. Most of us have failed to forget that, at the beginning of the war, these expansive bullets were served out to the troops sent out for active service. Although the Hague Conference, by a decisive vote on June 22nd, 1899, had condemned the use of those bullets known as Mark IV., Mr. G. Wyndham, Under Secretary of State for War, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, July 11th, replied: 'Mark IV. has been the service bullet for the British Army since February, 1898, and as such has been issued to our troops in South Africa.' It is true that nine months later, on March 23rd of 1900, Mr. Wyndham said: 'Mark IV. was the regulation bullet, and the original garrison in South Africa had it; but it was recalled, and has never been issued in this campaign.'

Now, from the evidence of British officers, we know that these bullets were not actually recalled from use until January 7th – i.e. three months after the beginning of the war – and that General Baden-Powell, having no other ammunition left, continued to use them afterwards in Mafeking. Many British troops were