The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-10
CRITICAL SITUATION AT L<DYsMITH.

tits now fairly certain that the recent reports
OF heavy fighting around Ladysmith with great
lose to the Beers were exaggerated echoes OF
fighting previously described. There 10 no
doubt however, that since the beginning OF
last week there has been intermittent and on
some occasions stif fighting on the part
OF the British. Sir George Whites efforts
being apparently directed to keep the
Boer artillery at as great distance from
his defencss as possible. In this he seems
to have been only partially successful. and
by last reports the Boor battery on Isambul-
wanna Mountain. south OF the Hepmakaar
road was giving n good deal OF trouble. The
latest reliable informal from Lndysmith IL
given In pigeon post despatch dated Nov. Z.
received by the Premier OF Natal from the
Commandant OF tho Volunteers at Ladvsmith.
but It only confirms things already known.
such as the moving OF tho hospital beyond the
town for safety.
For some reason not applicable by anything
yet reported the Beers have left the Colenso
railway bridge unipJured. and according to a
telegram from Estcourt dated Nov. o. neither
Colsnso nor Fort wylis on the opposite bank Of
the river commanding the bridge were militar-
lily occupied by the Beers. II may be that Gen.
Joubert is purpossly leaving the line OF
retreat from Ladysmith open In the hope that
Sir George White may avail himself OF It. but
II seems a perilous policy should the British
rs-enforcements arrive and circumstances pre-
vent the Boers destroying the most important
link IN the British communications.
At present Ladysmith 10 completely Isolated.
the only means OF communication with the
outside world being an occasional pigeon post
or some native runner successfully evading the
Boer patrols on the line OF Investment. From
the general tenor OF the news coming
from various points II would appear
that all available troops are being sent
to augment Gen. Joubert's army, the import
ance OF compelling the early surrender or
| evacuation OF Ladysmith being recognized at
Pretoria. where President Kruger IL no doubt
kept we'll informed OF tho British movements
Tho evident Intention OF the Orange Free
State to keep. for the present, on the defen-
| sive. combining its operations In the Cape
Colony to the destruction OF bridges and the
tearing up OF railway tracks. 10 probably
| caused by the absence OF active assistance
from the Cape Colony Dutch who. restrained
| either by motives Of policy or the penalties OF
martial law now existing all over the colony.
have com mitted no overt act Of rebellion.
Kimberley and Msfeking are still holding
out. the Boers apparently contenting them
! selves with maintaining a strict blockade.
| while doing all the injury they can on the
! railways and roads that can serve the
British advance. or the British prepara-
tons little or nothing leaks out Gen.
Butler maintaining a strict censorship over
| everything relating to bis movements; and the
British War ONCE having either no information
| or such as II cannot communicate to the pub
lie. issues no Official reports. probably awaiting
some decisive success that will oblitorats the
| effect OF tho disasters at Dundee and to the
left wing of the force engaged In the great
| sorte OF last Monday week.