The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-13
The South African Situation.

The "note of preparation" for the
British advance in Natal has long been
sounding, and the week opens with in
dications Of a general movement al
along the line. There is grim signid-
canoe in the report that General Bull
Ter, who commands in person in the
advance on Ladysmith, has ordered
large force Of stretcher bearers from
Durham. A naval officer was once ask
ed when was the most solemn moment
of battle. "When the men are sanding
the deck TO soak up the blood that is
expected to how," was the reply. The
preparations of the British commander
for the care of the men who must be
killed. wounded and mutiated in the
battles of the advance is solemnly sug-
gestive of the ferceness of the fighting
that will follow wien the hostile lines
meet.
The reports speak of British sorties
from Ladysmith, and attacks on the
Boer position, resulting in minor cap
lures, and doubtful advantages to this
side or that. None of the reports has
confirmation and the interest attaches
to events to happen when the British
advance is made in earnest. The
week must bring news of thrilling and
terrible interest from the vicinity of La
dysmith.
The second of the converging col
umns moving on the Beers is in the
northern part of Cape Colony, under
command of General Gatacre. He is
menacing the southern boundary of the
Orange Free State. He is operating in
country in which the Dutch inhabi-
tants are in active sympathy with their
kinsmen across the border, and many
of them are IN the ranks of the Boer
army. Boer forces are strongly posted
in his front at Stormberg Junction,
and hostile detachments threaten his
TANKS. The advance from this section
of operations is reported to have begun
under General French and reached a
point between Naauw Poort and Coles
burgh, about three miles from the Boer
position. 1t is surmised that General
Frenchs object is to cross the Orange
river in the rear of the force facing
General Gatacre, thus relieving the
pressure on Methuen's right flank.
Later advices, however, materially
change the aspect Of affairs for the
British, both OF Gatacre's and Methu-
ems column as well. These are to the
effect that the Beers have repulsed
Gatacre, inhicting upon the British the
severest disaster Of this monstrous war.
Mex. 10 the situation in Natal, con-
diions existing in Methuen's army and
that commanders movements excite
the liyelest interest. This is the third
of the armies closing IL on the fated
republics. Precisely what is Methuen's
condition, and what is his purpose, are
largely matters of surmise. 1t is now
stated that this general, if he follows
the original design, will not continue
mis- march to Kimberley, but will turn
east from Modder river, and march on
Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange
Free State. The Beers ar said TO be
strongly posted at Spytfontein, midway
between Modder River and Kimberley.
If battle is fought there it will prob
ably be the most determined aud the
bloodiest fight of the war thus far.
M3thuen's army is stated at II 900,
General CrOnje, the Boer commanders,
at $4,000 The reported intention OF
Methuen to turn east, avoiding battle
at SpytfOntein, leaving Kimberley to
hold the fort, and reaching out for the
enemy's capital, is regarded as good
tactics, but the practical humiliation Of
General Gatacre at Stomberg Junction,
exposing his right to the attack of the
Orange Free State forces and the dis
affected Dutch of Cape Colony may
materially modify all the calculations of
the war experts.