The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-28
TEE SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION.

The report that Delagoa Bay is about to pass
| into the possession OF England appears TO have
some consistency Ittrue the war will enter
on new phase. though one not entirely I'M
foreseen by President Kruger. who on more
than one occasion has spoken OF Eng
lands being obliged to build wall round the
Transvaal before II could be conquered. with
the Portuauese territory on that part OF the
East African coast annexed by England there
would be literally a British wall round the
Transvaal. but 1t might still take some time
before the mountain districts we're subdued. II
the Beers decided to continue the war. There
must. however. be an early confirmation or de-
NAL OF the report, which is so circumstantial
as to make II credible
In the meantime there appears to be re-
vival OF activity at the principal points along
the line OF operations. The Beers are said to
have constructed a temporary bridge across
the Tugela at point below Pieter's Station on
the railway between Colenso and Ladysmith.
As they hold the Inhawe Mountain. between
the Blaau wkrans and tho TuQela rivers they
are able to pass to the south Of the latter
without being disturbed by the British. who
30 far have failed to secure that position. which
commands the Boer lines on the bend OF the
river. north OF Colenso 1t was probably by
this route to the eastward that the Beers
who surprised the British picket on the
10th came down. That and the cap
ture Just reported OF two British officers
out reconnoitrinr beyond Chieveley by
party OF Beers. whose presence in that neigh
borhood was not suspected. argues a neRli-
gent performance OF scouting and outpost
duty. OF which tho frequent lessons the British
have had In this matter. one would think.
should have rendered them more careful.
LABYRINTH reports describe some activity
among the Boere to the eastward OF that place.
owing evidently TO the frequent sorties by the
British.
The report that Gen. Gatacre is endeavoring
70 reopen the railway TO Indwe from Sterk-
stroom is the natural consequence OF his orcu-
pntion Of Dordrecht reported yesterday.
Dordrecht IL the point OF junction OF the
main roads from Awal North and Her
schel by way OF Lady Grey and Barkiy
East. and Of another road from Queens
town that crosses the railway about
twenty miles west OF Indwe. The prot able
reason for Gen. Gatacre's anxiety to reopen
this line Is to keen up the supply OF coal from
the lndwe mines for the use OF the transports
and shipping at East London. us well as for
the use OF the army and inhabitants. Tho re-
opening OF the railway and the reoccupation OF
Dordrccht Is also OF i'm portance. should he
he contemplating turning movement against
Stormberg and BurRhersdorp by the road from
Dordrecht through Jamestown to Aliwal North.
in order to throw Gen. Swanepoos and Du-
ploy's commandos up the line from Stormberg
to Bethuie across the Orange River. while
Gen. French is pressing Gen. Grobler back to-
ward Colesberg and Norval's Pont. The indi-
cations are that there may be some interesting
work by these two divisions II Gen. Gatacre
succeeds 10 restoring his communications with
Indwe.
Gen. Methuen's report OF tho reappearanc
OF the Beers in force in his front indicates that
they were expecting some such movement on
his part "a he reports having made for the
purpose OF destroying building near his lines
from which the Beers were annoying his out
posts. Tho reconnaissance" IL said 10 have
accomplished its object in getting the Beers TO
expose the position Of their guns. but bearing
In mind the ruse they nractised in connection
with the MaRersfontein affair there may be a
doubt whether tho guns might not be found
in an unexpected quarter IN case Of an
attack In force. With the arrival OF
all Gen. warren's division. now reported
there should be some renewal OF the movemen
toward Kimberley. unless that place is provis-
Toned for some weeks yet and ne has orders to
wait for a movement In support from Gems
French and Gatacre.