The evening times., 1899-11-27
MONDAY. NOVEMBER %, 1888.
Engrand., Day in south Africa.

EngIand's Day in Sonth Africa.
Sunday was a day of much Importance
in the history of the South African war.
Its events may have marked the turning of
The tide in favor Of the British army. Lcrd
Methuens exploit at Gras Pan. while bril-
liant. does not impress us greatly. as like
ly 10 produce large results. Information is
yet meagre. but what we have sug
sestS that the force met by Methuen was
intended rather to hamper his advance. on
general principles. than to give him battle.
The Boer strength, reported. WIS rnly
twenty-five hundred against his seven
thousand, and it appears to have fallen
back in good order. although with consid-
cradle loss in men and ammunition. Tine
element Of BOer defeat crops out from the
dispatches. more in connection with The
capture Of wagons. animals. and military
supplies than in the casualties. or loss of
The ground. 1t must be inferred from ii e
presence Of all this impedimenta tina, Gen
rral belarraye was expected TO hold his
position for some time at least. That he
"as so quickly defeated and dislodged and
before he could be REINFORCED from the
north. is some indication that the Bocr
]o~ces between Gras Pan and Kimberley
may not be as strong as has been supposed.
In that case the approaches 10 Modder
River. for which point Methuen will now
push. may not be defended as strongly as
We have expected. and it may even be true
that the besiegins force at Kimberley may
not be as large as reported. Nevertheless.
il will not do to count on these thngS. Il
is yet possible that Methuen may find The
main body of his enemy on his rear before
he advances much farther As matters ap-
pear to stand, he has accomplished some
thing in his two fights, and perhaps some
thing substantial. We could understand
his position and prospects better if we
Knew what was in front of him, and on his
Hanks
Judged by the news the situation in
Natal has undergone decided change for
the better. The British war office theory.
That Joubert's movements between Est
court and Howick were demonstrations for
effect. and did not represent a large force
or an intention to deliver a serious attack
in the direction of Pietermartzburg, and
10 which We called attention on Saturday |
and Sunday. would seem to have been JUS |
tihed by events Barton's command from
Mooi River has been able TO move TO and |
through Estcourt, and to effect junction !
with Hildyard at Frere seven miles up |
the railway toward Colenso Previously. |
Hildyard had been able to make success |
ful reconnaissance in force against the |
Beers at Willow Grange, which may have !
had the effect of clearing the road for Lord |
Dundonald's brigade, Of Barton's division
which led the advance from Mooi River
Joubert's commandos are reported as re-
firing toward Ladysmith, and as being
hungry, dispirited, and in bad condi-
tion generally. Too much reliance should
not be placed upon such stories the truth
of which may be very possible but for the
present is open to doubt. However, it
looks now as if Hildyard would be able to
reach the Tugela River without serious OBJ
struction. and then it is reasonable to as
sumo that the trouble will begin. He will
find the Bulwer bridge gone. and will have
10 cross on pontoons, or by fords perhaps
TOO distant for his purpose or too strongly
enfiaded by artillery on the opposite shore.
bly, under heavy fire. Once on the other
side, he will strike ground which has been
in active preparation for his reception for
several weeks: and it is not pleasant to
the struggle he seems bound to
have from Pieter's Station on to Lady
smith, through the difficult and easily de-
Tended mountain passes. The best thing
that can be hoped for the relieving col
umn. is that Sir George White may be in
better condition for some offensive move
ment in support OF Hildyard's advance,
than for some days We have been inclined
to regard him.
Willy old Piat Jouberf has no. had his =,
last word yet. 1t is by no means certain !,
that he may not be heard from at a spot -.
where he is least expected. When Hid
yard reaches the Tugefa it is possible that
Joubert might appear on his flank or even
in his rear. As We have reminded our d.,
readers on several occasions. Sir c. f. Gle
ry and Major General fIildyard are two of :
Lord WolsSley's favorite strategists. 1t is
'oEceivable. therefore, that the Boer gen. /
I1i-in-chief may have met his match, and !
iiay he ou,generaled at his own game | n
'redictions are out of the question. Intel n
lSent iorecasting on the basis of present | q
Information would be foolish 1t can only n
se sai with safety that ore of the mos, /,
interesting seTiss Of operations in the an