New-York tribune., 1899-11-26
BOERS LESS ACTIVE.
BRITISH GARRISONS IN NA-
TAI GET A RESPITE.
GENERAL HILDYARD'S NIGHT ATTACK
MILITARY MEN DISCUSS JOU-
BERTS TACTICS.
my CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Inv CABLE TO TRTBUNE.1
London. Nov &c a. m.-There is no fresh
break IN the chain OF British communication IN
Lower Natal and the detached links are in
closer touch with one another than they were
,v-o days ago. No important railway bridge
has been destroyed south Of Estcourt. and no
~ raiders have been reported near Pieter-
.oeritzburg Fresh details of General Hildyard's
raconnoissance show that there was a spirited
,iebt attack. with successful bayonet charge
,,Don the Boer position which was held until
aa,.,iqbt when its abandonment forced by
.be ou,ck firing guns General Hildyard's de-
,ocbr,ent while outclassed IN artillery. is not
cloea1v invested. and he has a body Of pro-
,.,,c,al cavalry for effective scouting. Barton's
command. at Mooi River is in communication
,,+b P,etermartzburg. and has been recon
ro,tring the enemys position. Lyttletons force
O., lower down. and has been strengthened from
1,;o+ernoaritzburg The latest reports received
.or, Durham before midnight indicated that
.h.ra were no Beers south Of Mooi River, and
.b,+ endorsements were steadily moving up
the railway.
WAR OFFICE COOL AND UNCONCERNED.
There are no signs Of alarm at the War Office
over the situation in Lower Natal, and the OFF,
cials evidently believe that the raiders will not
go further south. and that Clery's column will
be in motion early in the week. with the line
carefully guarded all important points Va
rious explanations are offered for General
Jouberts mysterious manPuvres. One is that
he has sent several commands southwark with
orders 10 destroy railway bridges over the chief
rivers and entrap detachments and trains wher-
ever possible. These commands were directed
70 remain in touch with one another and TO
bV
behind 1t and breaking its communications
Another theory is that he hoped TO draw out
General White from his intrenched position by
reports that the investing force had been weak
ened and lure the garrison into series Of
ambuscades
Military men at the clubs last night were con
hdent that General Joubert's plan, whatever Its
motive. had been thwarted, and that General
Clery would have little difficulty in massing his
column at Estcourt in the course of few days
and advancing TO Colenso. This view seemed
Justified by the air Of confidence and uncon-
Germ OF the leading officials Of the Headquarters
Staff But a conclusion plainly premature
and oversanguine. The advance will be dfncult
and must be conducted with extreme caution
since there is so little cavalry available for
systematic scouting one explanation offered
or.the lack Of cavalry that General Butler
force as soon as Clery's column should reach
colenso: but this was hardly ineligible. The
truth seems to be that only a small force OF
cavalry has arrived at Cape Town. and that
even Lord Methuen's division IS inadequately
served IN this respect Twelve cavalry regi-
rnents out Of thirty-one in the British Army
have been ordered, first and last, 10 South At
rica. exclusive Of the Household Cavalry Bri-
eade But apart from General Whites troopers
and a small force Of lancers and mounted In
fantry now with Lord Methuen or approaching
Durham the bulk Of this division is still at sea
Official neglect TO put this cavalry force on
earlier ships seems 10 be a legitimate point Of
criticism.
LONDON FED ON RUMORS.
4 wild rumor that both Kimberley and
Mafeking had been relieved served the purpose
Of selling late edition Of the papers last night,
but as 1t came by way Of Delagoa Bay 1t was
unworthy OF credence. Lord Methuen's advance
probably has been resumed northward, but sew
eral military critics are still predicting a sud
den maneuvre eastward into the Free State,
Commandant Grobler. at Colesberg, is reported
20 have acted upon Secretary Reitz's hint and
arrested eight British subjects as hostages for
the safety of Colonial Dutchman who is now
a prisoner suspected Of reasonable offences.
as an assurance to disloyal Dutchmen Of Cape
Colony that they can rebel against the Crown
without the risk Of being shot for treason.
The German Emperor had quiet reception
at Sandrngham yesterday. without guards Of
honor. but a large company had been invited 10
meet him over Sunday.
Sir Charles Warren had a most enthusiastic
sendoT when he left Waterloo Station for the
Cape.
Mr. Asquith's speech TO the miners yesterday
was the most patriotic and the least critical ad-
dress which has been made by any Liberal
leader since the opening Of the war.
Among the latest devices for earning money
for the American hospital ship is picture
rafae shannon has painted fine picture en-
titled THE Girl He Left Behind Him" which
viii be disposed Of for the benefit Of the fund.
Mrs. Granville Ellis is managing the lottery for
g. with eight hundred half-guinea tickets.
T. y. r.