New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-09
WAITING FOR BIG GUNS.
c.rsr OF THE DELAY IN THE MOVE
MENT OF THE BRITISH RE-
LIEF FORCES
LIEF FORCES.
rBx CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.


rondon Dec. g. ! a. m.-There were two I'M
,o-,ant facts ir the sack OF sawdust received as
war news yesterday. One was the dispatch Of
me hovitzer battery from Cape Town TO Dur
han. and the other was the interruption OF Gen
.ral Me;huen's communications at Gras Pan
With Orange River. The first was clear indi-
cation that Buffers campaign for the relief OF
Ladysuith would be deferred for several days.
unless the condition Of the garrison were more
critical than has been generally considered; the
second was a promise Of the potency of that
guerilla warfare which would be the final stage
OF the Dutch defence against an invasion Of the
two republics
The first six Of the eighteen howitzers sent
from England after an inexplicable delay on
Slow arssyed Sryerai Gays ago at
Cape Town. and there is no record Of their
iransshipment 70 Durham, It is probable that
hey have gone up the country to Lord Methuen,
although II Is not known whether they passed
erss Pan before the railway was cut by the
niders The remaining twelve have gone 70
Durham where they Will probably be landed on
Tuesiay These are guns equal to the best artil-
lsry IN the possession Of the Beers, and are
capable OF discharging at long range lyddite
bells Of fifty pounds. 1t was worth while for
kth General Butler and General Methuen to
wait for these powerful guns, with their am
runtion, even IL there were serious risks to
be safety Of the beleaguered garrisons from
he delay since the effect Of the British artil-
sy fire against both Colenso and Spytfontein
vould be greatly increased by lyddite shells.
he expediency OF delay on the part OF both
generals does not alter the fact that somebody
Nvndered in the War Office in not sending out
Il, howitzer batteries on one Of the earliest
nd fastest ships,
BLUNDER IN THE WAR OFFICE.
Lyddi,A shells were used with tremendous ef-
t- al the battle Of Omdurman General Butler
upsrsonalIv responsible for their Introduction
The British military service when he was Ad-
Eint General He considered II nothing less
an scandal that the British army should not
= supplied with high explosive Shells which
Germany and France had adopted. owing 10
sns reason which remains an official secret
hs. howitzer batteries were held back In Eng
ard until the Beers had dragged very heavy
ltos Of artillery TO the battlefelds and siege
e'ssds and were outclassing the British guns
The howitzer batteries started about the time
Wien General Joubert's Long Tom" was throw"
Ig into Ladysmith at each shot weight Vi
METAL equal 10 the discharge OF complete round
one Of General Whites six gun batteries OF
l0-popnders Lord Methuen's infantry would
nave been greatly protected against loss In thelr
nres battles II the howitzers had been added 10
us artillery force. for. unlike the navy guns
Which are tied 10 railway trucks. they are almost
IS movable as ordinary field artillery General
Suler has been waiting for them day after day
IN q
Nilc hre from the Boer artillery.
ne interruption 20 Lord Methuens line OF
communications occurred yesterday near the
~ ~ his second battle. railway cuiVe''
''0~h up and the telegraph wires were cut
PerV OF raiders from the Free STATE Ioh-
pO''ioy from Jacobsdal. and heavy hrihe
"eaiu further north The War once oe-
49,, niue uneasiness over this incident anu
men In the clubs last night laiu
upon The fact that ten days ma"
~P'eu since the battle OF the Modder RIVER
iousht' and that there had been ample
m 'o' moving up reinforcements ana sup
a. iof winding up the operations ioi
~. uei OF Kimberley. The facility VII"
M 'he raiders work had been done, wheh
o. Instance under protection Of the troops 'h
n. u The communications from Orange
| s.n 's only hfty-hve miles does not auguT
a.. io' General Walkers peace Of mind Wheh
., ns march through the Free State to Pre-
VIA is Undertaken.
BUDGET OF MINOR NEWS.
n,. remaining news received yesterday is
I, uHsue OF idle rumors and minor incidents
N 'ai Importance. The rumors relate 10
has,. Hne artillery practice OF General whites
n. 70 an alleged successful sortie from
aoysmith redoubts and TO the movement
- "se body OF Free Staters westward. Pre-
4, 10 sdvices report the renewal Of the fighting
Noooer River on Wednesday. other matters.
"' onicial reports. cover General Buffers an
wy h-Advt. Vi iN0 II o''