The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-31
London Military Experts Explain the Move
mentS In and About LadySmith.
BoERS MAY MARCH TO THE SEA
Black Menace That SOberS Every Reflective fngshman when
He Attempts to Forecast the Results of
the War.

NEW YORK. oct so.--A dispatch TO
the Tribune from London says:
General Whites force is now known
to have been strengthened by regulars
and local levies from PteternaritTSurE
until 1t includes fully 1900 men, with
additional battalions moving up from
the coast.
The object Of the British reconno's-
ance in force from Ladysmith is readily
explained by military writers for to-
DAVIS London papers, 1t was an at
tempt to draw the BOer force, which
ha6 been twice attacked, into another
spcagement before ii could be heavily
reinforced from the main body under
General Joubert. General White had
not succeeded in his purpose Saturday
and while the war office was suspected
Of suppressing important dispatches
the situation in Natal was unchanged
BY the scanty news received yesterday
a great battle still seems imminent
since two large BOer forces are reported
near Ladysmith. even If General White
has no, made a determined attack
the enemys position. General Jouber'
is credited by more than one military
writer with using Fabian tactics al
Iadvsmith. where General Whites
force can be masked by an army Of
equal strength acting on the defensive
and also with the bold maneuver Of
oyerrunning Natal with the remainder
Of his troops and striking at Pietermar-
itzburg and Durham.
1t is not easy to believe that he will
cut of his own communication with
Laing's Mex and march to the sea, as
Sherman set out from Atlanta for the
coast. and there is one sharp line Of
divergence between the two military
situations. Sherman knew he would
have command of the sea when he
reached Savannah. but Joubert at Dur
ban would be exposed TO an attack from
British fleet.
A rumor has reached London that a
considerable Boer force is moving from
Vryheil on Melmouth in Zululand,
whence the distance to Durham will be
something over a hundred miles; but
this is a slender foundation for the the
cry that the Beers may repeat Sher-
mans strategy and make bold dash
for the sea What they are more like
ly TO do is to break off the communi-
cations Of Ladysmith with the sea by
sending a body Of raiders from the Free
State mountain passes to blow up the
bridges over the streams, which are
now swollen with the rains.
When this has been done and every
wire to the coast has been cut, JOubert's s
forces can be concentrated against
General Whites army and all supplies
and reinforcements for Ladysmith be
intercepted. This is what some of the
shrewdest military experts are expect
ing.
But they are undertaking Genera
Whites vigilance and Intelligence and
are giving the Boer commanders morc
credit for strategical skill, mobility anC
maneuver;ng power than has yet beei
displayed.
While General White is compelled u
defend Ladysmith and protect his lin
Of communication with the coast. Gen
eral Joubert can operate in any direc
ton in Natal without being exposed t
a flank attack and without having HI
retreat to Dutch territory cut off. Tn
best explanation Of General White
second reconnaissance in force is that h
suspects General Jouberts intention Q
throwing a large force between him an
his coast base and is eager to dra7
the 9oers into pitched battle nea
Ladysmith and inhict a crushing de
feat
There is little news respecting tn
menace Of an uprising Of black race
against the whites, now fighting bal
tie for supremacy. The Basutos, VIII
have $4,000 warriors, are reported to
less excited and more Indifferent
the issues Of the white mans warfar
II Is this black menace that sober
every rejecting Englishman when /
attempts to forecast the chances Of We
in Africa.