The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-07
NEW DEvELOPMBN IN SOUTH
AFRICA.

The lost significant news from South Africa
for the last twenty-four hours 10 the with
drawai Of the British from StormberR juno
ton. on the East London Railway to Queens
town. about one hundred and fifty miles from
East London, at which point II 10 reported to
he the intention OF Gen. Butler to land
q portion OF the First Army Corps soon to
arrive. This throws tho country north OF tho
stormberg chain under the control OF the
Bosr Invaders. who appearto be feeling their
way In the wake OF tho retreatinE British and
round toward tho southern border OF Basuto-
land. The reasons given for the abandonment
Of Stormberp Junction is that 1t was too DIM
cult Of defence. which probably means that tho
keeping open the com ications through tho
mountains to the south was beyond tho
strength OF the force at Gen. Buffers disposal
in that part Of the country. 1t Is not likely
that the Beers will follow the British beyond
the mountains unless they can effsctualy Sc
euro the pass on the cross line between hiddel-
burg on the Port Elizabeth Railway and
Stormbsrg junction. as they would otherwise
leave their rear open In case the British
General should be able to push q force
across the mountains. But while the British
have retired from stormberg Junction they
appear to have no intention OF giving up
Nauuw Poort at the junction OF the lines from
Do Aar and Colesberg. for It would be a
practical remuneration OF an advance into tho
Orange Free State directly from tho south.
On the whole II would appear that an entirely
new plan OF campaign from that originally In
tended will have been nscessitatsd by the I'M
expected turn the war has taken In Natal and
the uncertainty respecting tho attitude OF tho
Cape Colony Afrikanders.
As was to be expected. the British after hav-
ing evacuated Colenso. are preparing to make
q stand at Estcourt. covering the railway
issuing from tho pass through tho hooi
range OF hills north OF ristermaritz-
burg: hut It appears doubtful that the
Beers will make e further advance south
ward while Ladysmith holds out. The coun-
try between the Tugela and tho Moot Hills Ia
com paratively open and favorable to the opsr-
ations OF cavalry and light artillery. which tho
Beers are not in n position to expose them
solves to: they will therefore probably conhne
themse to the defence OF tho line OF
the UPPER Tugela. which the proclamation
OF the President OF tho Orange Free State an
nexinc northern Natal makes the southern
boundary OF the annexed territory. The prin-
cipnl immediate danger the Beers in Natal
have to fear. according to the latest re-
ports, 10 an Eruption OF Basutos from
the mountains on their right flank. Should
the British Government decide TO let
the Basutos loose. It would be possible
to relieve Ladysmith. and perhaps push the
Transvaai Boors back across the Buffalo River
and up into the northwest angle OF Natal to
their main line OF defence. ana compel the Free
Staters to withdraw to the line ofthe Draksns-
burg. Tho impolicy Of the proceeding. how
ever. 10 manifest. for II the Basutos oLcs
get IL into their heads that they had
saved the British. II would not 10 long before
there would be trouble with them. 1t would
besides Justify the Beers In arming the 2ulus
and Matnbeles. and letting the latter loose on
Rhodesia Taking this view. { seems certain
that the contest will continue 70 be wagod By
the present combatants.