The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-29

London, October 2S.-The South African
war has now been In progress nearly three
weeks, and so far the British arms have
been consistently crowned with momentary
success though at cost which verifies
President Kruger's prediction that the con-
fiiet will stagger humanity But, though
victory has fallen to Great Britain when-
ever and wherever the issues were of para
mount Importance, General Whites position
today is scarcely more reassurng than at
the outbreak of the war.
So far he has only shown his ability to
outwit by strategy the Beers strategy,
That, in its conception, meets with high
praise from the British military critics.
Now he appears to have reached the limit
of this game of war, but he was able to
prevent the meeting of the Boer columns
and must either meet the eneml's combined
forces or retreat.
Many people think General White should
rest content with the success so far
achieved and fall back on Colenso, pointing
out that The appears to be fully able to move
his forces quickly and without deteriora-
tion. 1t is scarcely probable that he will
follow this course, preferrng, rather, to
hold Ladysmith, though against much SUI
feeling that the general intends to follow
the latter course that creates uneasiness,
for victories over Boer units sare now be-
lieved to Indicate that the same result can
be achieved over the Beers when massed.
Beers Operate Concertedy
Compared with this impending movement
about Ladysmith the fate of Kimberley and
Mafekings and the progress of the other in
dependent operations are almost insignifi-
cant. The rapidity of the Boer advance
and the tenacity of the endeavors of their
columns to concentrate on General White
have proved clearly that the Beers plans
were matured long before hostilities dis
placed negotiations and though they may
be unable to stand before the brilliant
charges of the British troops or serve their
artillery with the skill of their opponents,
they are a mobile force and operate har-
moniously under a carefully prepared plan
of campaign
No one seems to have the faintest idea of
what conditions will confront the British
army corps upon its arrival in South Africa
VIII 1t be avenging force whose duty will
be to wipe out the defeat of General White
and the capture of Mafeking and Kimber-
ley, or will it simply be walk over into
Pretoria, dispensing Boer bands disntegrat-
ed by the strain of large campaign and
encouragement by constant reverses?
These questions are uppermost in the
minds of all connected with the war office.
By November the last troopship should
have sailed, but the army corps will scarce
ly take the field until the end of December.
There Is lull in the departure of the
troops forming the army corps, owing, the
admiralty officials say, to the troops not
being ready.
The embarkation of q, 900 men, 1000 horses
and several batteries of artillery with the
wagons and equipment between October 20
and "a Is pointed out as being splendid
feat upon the part of the admiralty, not for
getting to also give credit to the army for
having tine men ready ait the dock.
Lieutenant Commander Colwell, the Unit
ed States naval attachee here, who closely
watched the embarkation of the troops at
Southampton, said to a representative OF
the Associated Press:
A p endid Sight
"It was splendid sight. Everything was
done in good order On each transport the
naval lieutenant was in command and on
the dock a naval officer supervised the
whole The army officers had their men
lined up and staff sergeant passed along
the ranks chopping eighteen men of at a
time, thus forming masses. Marching on
board they found everything prepared FOR
them"
Sir Charles Dixie, writing to the Speaker.
draws attention to the gigantic cost Of the
mobilization of comparatively small army.
He says: u
"T,boueh the war office processes to be
pleased with the result OF the mobilization,
they took far longer to complete the ar
rangements than the maximum period al
lowed by other powers.
Continuing, Sir Charles said the present
system was certainly wrong. While the
nation Is enthralled by the news from the