The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-25
THE CRISIS IN NATAL.

Tho latest Developments In the campaign In
Natal go to show that the earlier reports OF
the British successes were too fose-colored.
and that the fighting has been a good deal
moro obstinate than expected. The fact that
Dundee and Glencoe have both been evacuated
and that the British hold no position north OF
the BigRarsberR leads to the inference that the
Transvaal burghers were operating turn
ing movement to the southeast In sui
flcient force to cut of the retreat OF the Dun
dee and Glencoe gnrrisons to Ladysmlth and
compel them to capitulate. This has been
avoided by their withdrawal to Waschbank.
about fifteen miles southwest OF Dundee.
where they expected to be joined by Sir George
White with n portion OF the garrison OF Lady
smith. on which point they would retire. The
latter is said to have effected his junction with
Gen. Iule after skirmish with small body
OF Free State burghers who appear to have
been patrollng the country In the neighbor-
hood Of the railway line.
The evacuation OF Dundee and Glencoe can
only have been determined on in consequence
OF the advance OF tho main body OF Con.
Joubert's army in greatly superior force. which
would 60 to show that the engagements that
took place last week at Glencoe and Glands
laagte were only advance guard affairs. though
the former was intended to be part OF a COM
bined movement that failed at the critical mo-
ment. from causes yet unexplained. The aban-
donment OF Dundee and Glencoe 10 a
serious matter for more than military
reasons. They were the source of the
coal supply for the ships OF war and
merchant steamers frequenting the port OF
Durham. which now have to look elsewhere.
To provide against what has actually hap
pened. the British Government telegra pied a
short time ago to India to despatch to Natal
In ha Ipdi ~
ports. but unless some considerable provision
already existed at Durham the loss Of the coal
mines may be the cause OF considerable incon-
venience. For this reason no doubt Gen.
Joube-t has made Dundee one OF the objectives
Of his plan OF campaign.
With tho imperfect information that is al.
lowed to pass over the wires. It 10 i'm possible
to say what Is the exact strength OF the COM
bined forces Of the Free State and the Trans
vaal now In Natal. but they cannot be far from
25.OOO men. Against this force the British
have no option but to maintain the defensive
until recnforcements arrive in such mum bsrs
as to enable them to assume the offensive.
Should the Beers. however. have the mobility
requisite to enable them to mannuvre the
British out OF their advance positions and
drive them across the TuEela River. the cam
paign would have to be begun again from the
original base at Pietsrmaritzburg. so far as
Natal Is concerned.
On the south Of the Orange River tho Free
State burghers appear to be making m owe for
the railway functions on the Cape Colony lines.
and something will probably be heard from that
quarter In a few days. as also from the two be-
leaguered towns Of Kimberley and Mateking.
or the reported hostility Of the natives % the
Doors there appears to DO NO evidence as
yet. and many are reported to be with
the Boar commandos In different ca
pacities. But whatever the truth OF
the situation may be. It seems to be
sufficiently grave for the British authori-
ties to withhold all details and information
from the British public. which cannot fail to
generate alarm. and. unless some striking sue
cess comes quickly to retrieve the present
evident defeat. TO react seriously against the
Government and the policy that led to 1t. even
II the foreign APPLICATIONS said to be threat
ened should have no substantial basis.