The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-05
NEW DspEL0pMESrs IN soUT8 AFRICA

The telegram from Pletermaritzhurr. dated
Nov. 2. announcing the sending away from
Labyrinth Of all the women and children there
shows that Sir George White was preparing
for stubborn defence: while such infor-
nation as 10 given OF the Boer movements In
Natal indicates that they are stretching out to
the southwark with the object Of com pletely
isolating Ladysmith. AZ regard, the
despatchrs purportine to come from Ladysmith
that are appearing 10 the London papers. II IL
difficult to understand how they get out
II the Colonial and War Offices are. az they pro-
fess ~ be. cut OF from direct com munication
with Slr George White. unless 1t 10 by means
OF native runners at night But the military
authorities could employ the same methoi II
1t 10 practicable. II may. howsvsr. be that the
British War ONCE 10 receiving news but pre-
fers to keep silent to prevent tho possibility OF
the enemy becoming acquainted with lts tenor
by some roundabout way. or fearing the effect
on the English public
The occupation OF Colenso BY the Beers Ia
serious matter for the garrison Of Jadysmith.
end will be probably followed by the occupa-
ton OF Estrourt, which commands the dehls
10 the hills b'tween II and Pieternarltzburg.
through which the railway TO Durham passes.
All communication. therefore. by rail or wire
with Ladysmith 10 cut OF Whether this SOUTH
ward extension Of their line IL wise depends
on the Boer strength. but II 10 important that
they have now full possession Of the passages
OF the Tugela River and the roads on both
sides Of the railway north OF IT,
The reanforoements reported to be coming
down through Zuuland will he a valuable adj
dition to Gen. Jouberts army. In add tion 10
having impressed the Zulu, with respect for
the Boer arms and authority. The superses-
sion Of the Britsh-appolnted magistrates and
oflc'nls by Bocrs further discloses the prede-
termined character OF the policy now being
carried out; but they will have to be careful.
lest Sir George should break out ut some weak
point on their communications and cut their
extended line in two.
The invasion Of Cape Colony from the Orange
Free State setm. n have begun. The places
for which the invaders will naturally flrst mako
nrs Colcsberg and Rursbersdorp. In order to
destroy a. much OF the railway lines going
south as possible and retard the British al
vance. 1t 10 not probable that any operations
will be attempted against De Aar. which must
bs well fortified and strongly held 10y the Brit
ish. or against Naauwpoort. the Free State
force no. being numerous enough to in
vest those places us they have kimberley and
MafekinE. They may. however. repeat tho
operations OF the Last war and establish block
ndcs ly strong patrols at a distance. cutting OF
communications: and this they can dc the
easier as the population 10 almost exclusively
Dutch Afrikan Ter ana sym pathetic.
As things look. the task before the British
Gcneral charged with the conquest OF South
Africa. for that Is what It has developed into.
ssems to grow s time passes. and though the
British rreparat ions are formidable. the area OF
country TO be covered and the success Of the
Buer methods Of warfare so far seem to presags
lengthy and difficult campaign
Tho report that the Boer commando under
Gen Schalk- Burger. that was watching the
Portuguese frontier at Koomati. Poort. has
moved south to Join Gen. Joubsrt's army.
seems to show that no anxiety Is felt at Pre-
toria for the present Of q British advance from
Delagoa Bay. Notwithstanding the reports to
the contrary.