The times., 1899-11-27
MONDAY. NOVEMBER q. 1899:
The Outlook in south Africa.

The Outlook in south Africa.
The British Government is plainly dis
satisfied with current conditions in South
Africa, and it may almost be taken for
granted that a second army corps viii be
organized and despatched to the Cape as
soon as that can be done. The necessity
for this action is well shown in the friend
j. criticism Of a German strategist Of hign
rank and credit. who argues that under the
conditions Of the war in South Africa. II
We allow Sir Redvers Butler a total force
of eighty thousand troops. not less than
forty thousand VIII necessarily have TO be
detached to guard communications and
garrison strategic positions. That would
leave fhe British general only forty thou
sand men with which TO take the offensive
against an enemy aggegating not less than
dfty thousand, and likely TO be even
stronger. operating on interior lines, III
their own country. and over ground peeu-
liarly adapted TO their own method Of fight
ing. Moreover. the superior mobility of the
Beers. being all mounted. and their ability
20 move with a minimum Of impedimenta
out OF all comparison with British neeessf-
Ties. operate 10 afford an enormous advau-
fage 10 the Transvaal and Orange forces,
even on the basis of man for man. Il Is.
therefore. the opinion Of military experts
hat without considering the growing
menaces Of Boer rebellion in Cape Colony,
and native uprisings, it is vital that Hfjy
thousand more troops should be placed in
the field without any delay whatever.
or the few mounted British troops in
South Africa. Lord Methuen has perhaps
more than his share. but his command
as. nevertheless, dangerously weak in the
cavalry arm. II is a sad commentary
upon stan ineficiency that the horses were
al sent out on the slowest transports.
sRd with a few exceptions are just begin
nIng to arrive. After all the cavalry as
signed 10 Buffers corps have become avail
able they wiz only amount to twelve out
Of the thirty regiments in Her Maiestys
seryice-pr0bably not more than fourteen
thousand sabres, all told. When this force
is divided between Natal and the cen
rral and western columns, il is readily
seen that it viii hardly prove adequate TO
the business in hand. In this matter. as
in others. there is evidence that monu-
mental blundering has been committed,
and the blame must lie somewhere be-
tween the Offices OF Lord Lansdowne and
Lord Woiseley.
Metbuen has had another engagement
north Of Belmont, and apparently has
scored a new success; but details are in
sufficient TO form the basis OF any opinion
as 10 whether it viii materially affect tie
problem OF relieving Kimberley. We are
Inclined to think il viii. as two defeats in
succession viii be likely to draw some Of
the besiegers away from that place. al
least temporarily. in order TO strengthen
Delivey. who is opposed to Metheun. The
feasibility Of q turning movement at Mod
der River would seem now 10 be enhanced.
But there is perhaps still some doubt as
10 the probability Of Methuen's pushing
much farther from his base, unless the
general situation on the Orange River line
has improved since Saturday. The Beers
have succeeded IN melting the Afrikan
der element in the northern districts
from Herschel. on the Orange River.
southeast to Lady Grey and Barlllv
East and below the last named, and
the rebels are reported as moving
against Dortreeht. directly north Of
Maior General Gatacre's position at
Queenstown This movement. which
doubtless portends stand at Dor
trecht 10 prevent Gatacre's movement
toward the Free State, has been accom-
panied by a sympathetic act at the
bridge below Middleburg. which has been
blown Up by the Beers. In order TO OBJ
stTuct an advance from Port Elizabeth
Thus Gatacre at Queenstown is threatened
with strong opposition in his front. and
French, al Naauw Poort, with isolation
- these circumstances. the ability Of Lord
Nelhueu TO continue his march on Kim
berley may be problemaucsI.
Re the Natal field we are unable TO even
guess what may be going on. Probably
moro IS known at the British War Office
th1n is being made public Judging from
what seems 70 be an Increasing fear in
professional circles. the position Of Sir
George White at Ladysmith IS not one 10
boast of. The report that he scarcely re-
piled to q vigorous b0mbafdment on F1day
lass may net be true But il true, ii IS 10
o. appreheaded fhst he is short Of am
n.unition: and his condition In that, or
any case Is made worse by the fact that the
BoeEs have been able 10 emplace another
~ese gun on the strength OF which they
',eTe confident Friday that the town would
have 70 surrender within day or two.
j. is impossible 10 overcsumate the eE-
tent % which such a disaster would en-