The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-12

Copyrighted 1889 by the Associated Press.
LONDON. Nov. n.--As each day and
each week Of the war draws to . close
without decisive action at Ladysmith.
the probability that the Beers will risk
an assault upon that garrison becomes,
1t Ia said. more and more imminent. In
fact. It is claimed that the campaign
seems to have reached stage where II
Is absolutely necessary Tor the Beers to
deliver q telling stroke.
Boers Mast Crash white Soon.
Unless they decide to do this, their only
alternative Is to retire within their own
lines and strengthen themselves against
the impending onslaught by superior
members. That the latter course will
be followed without first making q de-
termined attempt to oust or capture Gen.
White seems beyond all reason. for tho
methodical isolation OF Gen. Whites
force indicates that the campaign has
been carefully prepared and the main OBJ
ject definitely liked. Even II the Rocrs
have not already discovered that they
have underrated Gen. Whites capabilisy
of resistance. 1t Is thought scarcely, likely
that they will Give up their expected prey
without desperate struggle. Not only
have they tasted OF the dangerous delights
Of victory and rsveled. In anticipation. ia
stlil further conquest over the main unit
opposing them. which alone would have
great moral effect in persuad1ng them 70
risk much against I4adysnith. but now
IL Is too late for them to change tho
main objective. Mobile a. are the Beers,
they could scarcely transfer tho body OF
the forces which are at present concen.
tratcd about Ladysmith TO any other
vulnerable British point without running
the risk of encountcring superior mum.
bers. which are already pouring north-
ward.
Must Know Reinforcements Are Near
Moreover. any weakening of the Beer
force at Iadysmith would give Gen. White
a splendid opportunity Of attacking and.
even against overwhelming odds. he has
shown no hesitation in accepting every
opening for assuming the offensive.
The Beers must know just A. well ~ the
military authorities that twenty-tires
transports will arrive In South Africa be-
fore November II. They must also realize
that their time IL short. for in the present
emergency II Is believed Gen. Butler VIII
not wait TO organize an army. corps, but
will content himself with rushing to the
front every regiment he can dispose Of.
serioss Fighfing Soon.
Hence. news telling OF either Gen. Jou-
bert's complete rout or Gen. Whites cap
itulation, II was claimed. can now be ex-
pected daily. II is thought that more than
likely the engagement understood to be Inn
n,inent viii prove 10 be tho most serious
encounter Of the war. II victory lies with
Gen. Joubert. II win be a ninnsh or more
before Gen. Butler can dispute with him
the possession OF Natal. for while II ID
stiIl perfectly feasible TO send reinforce
ments 10 Gen. white. II would apparently
be absolutely impossible 10 assume tho
offensive were Gen. White no longer Z
military factor The destruction nf the
railroad bridge over the river TugeEa would
greatly retard The progress even OF minor
reinforcemenss. while IT would much moro
seriously affect the onward march Of .
British force OF any proportions. Howev-
&c there II no reason To believe Lady,
smith has not good chance 20 withstand
THE most determined Boer attacks Gen.
Whites ability 10 held his own until now
and the reported Successes which have
crowned his sortiey have done much TO re-
stere confidence in him.
Only Two weeks for white 20 wait.
II Gen. Butler continues 90 send troops
TO Durham and d.ssmbarks troops there,
Ger. White VIII only have 70 walt about
a fortnight before he II reinforced or It
any rate before the reinforcemen,s create
. diversion CT tae Beer forces but Il IL
inaposs.o.e TO predict with any degree Of
sxaetness when the troops wil. fisemhsrk.
on account OF the idiosyueracies Of trans
pssts several Of which have developed
remarkable pcnchaas fer breaking down