The record-union., 1899-11-12
The Question Which Now Most
Agitates British Minds.
Not Doubted Thu a Serious Encounter Will
Take Place in Near Future.

Expected Supremacy Without
Desperate Struggle, and a
Telling Stroke Must Either BE
Made Upon Whites Forces or a
Retirement Within Their Own
Lines.
Copyrighted. 1885, by Associated Press)
LONDON, Nov. las each day and
week of the war draws to a close with
out decisive action at Ladysmith,
the probabilities that the Beers will
risk an assault upon that garrison.
becomes, it is said. more and more
imminent In fact, it is claimed that
the campaign seems to have reached a
stage where it is absolutely necessary
for the Beers to deliver a telling stroke.
Unless they decide to do this, their
only alternative is to retire within
their own lines and strengthen them
selves against the impending onslaught
by superior numbers. That the latter
coures will be followed without first
making a determined attempt to GUST or
capture General White seems beyond
all reason, for the methodical isolation
of General Whites force indicates that
the campaign has been carefully pre-
pared and the main objective definitely
fixed.
Even if the Beers have already dis
covered that they have underated Cen
eral Whites capability of resistance, it
is thought scarcely likely that they will
~ a
perate struggle. Not only have they
tasted delights of victory, and reveled
in anticipation in still further conquest
over the main unit opposing them.
which alone would have great moral
effect upon President Kruger in per-
suading them to risk much against
Ladysmith, but now it is too late for
them toe hange the main objective.
Mobile as are the Beers, they could
scarcely transfer the body of their
forces, which are at present concen-
trated about Ladysmith, to any other
vulnerable point without running the
risk of encountering superior numbers,
which are already pouring northward.
Moreover, any weakening Of the Boer
force at Ladysmith would give GEN
eral White a splendid opportunity Of
attacking, and, even against over
whelming odds, he has shown no hesita-
ton in accepting every opening for as
Stunning the offensive.
The Beers must know just as well as
the military authorities that twenty
three transports will arrive in South
Africa before November 18th. They
must also realize that their time is
short, for in the present emergency, it
is believed, General Butler will not
wait to organize an army corps, but
will content himself with rushing to
the front every regiment he can dispose
of. Hence, news telling of either Cen
eral Joubert's complete rout or General
Whites capitulation it is claimed can
be expected daily.
1t is thought more than likely that
the engagement understood to be immi-
nent will prove to bes the most serious
encounter of the war. If victory lies
with General Joubert, it will be a month
or more before General Butler can dis
pute with him the possession of Natal
for, while it is still perfectly feasible
to send reinforcements to General
White, it would, apparently, be abso
sive were General White no longer a
factor. The destruction of the
railroad bridge over the river Tugela
would greatly retard the progress even
of minor reinforcements while it would
much more seriously affect the onward
march of a British force of any pro-
portions.
However, there is no reason to believe
Ladysmith has not a good chance to
withstand more determined Boer at
tacks. General Whites ability to hold
his own until now, and the reported
success which has crowned his soldiers,
have done much to restore confidence
in him. If General Butler continues
to send troops to Durham and disem-
bark troops there, General White will
only have to wait about a fortnight be-
fore he is reinforced, or, at any rate,
before the reinforcements create a d.
version of the Boer forces.
But it is impossible to predict with
any degree of exactness when the
troops will disembark, on account of
the idiosyncrasies of transports, sew
eral of which have developed a remark
able penchant for breaking down; that
their coal, boilers or other essentials
were worthless Among the military
critics what is most dreaded is the pos
sibility that General White may sue
cumb to the pettiness of personal in
which in the history of the
world has so often Influenced the ac-
lions of the greatest Generals On this
score the Naval and Military Record
says: 1T looks as though General
White will not be content to await the
arrival of reinforcements and the SUI
premacy of General Butler. But the
spirited soldier who held a high com
mand over the whole Indian army
might be pardoned for being slightly in
f1uenced by private ambitions
Nearly all the authorities. while with
holding definite criticism until fuller
is obtained, fail to under
stand why General White did not fall
back behind the Tugela, thus drawing
the Beers after him into the arms of
General Butler 1t is charitable to sup
pose that the Government of Natal ex
ercised influence over General White,
and is in no little degree responsible for
his gallant, yet, from a strategic point |
Of view. doubtful efforts to hold the !
Mex of Natal. But even then it is adj
mitted that no General has been exon
Grated in history merely because he al /
lowed his actions to be hampered py a |
civil Government to which he was not
directly responsible Naturally there is
a division of opinion on these points.
It is learned by the Associated Press