The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-11
THE s1ruArIoy IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The most important items OF news received
during the past twenty-four hours from the
field OF operations In South Africa are the
occupation Of Colenso. In Natal. on the Tugela
river. by the Beers the arrival ~ a strong
British force at De har on tho Care Colony
Kimberley railway. about 30 milos south Of
the Orange River and 100 from Kimberley;
and the intended despatch OF heavy siege
train and a further reinforcement OF troops to
the army under Gen. Butler.
The occupation OF Colenso appears to have
taken place on or about Wednesday last. but
the news was withheld. The Beers are now de.
nnitely planted at the vital point in the British
Communication by rail with Ladysmth across
the Tugels. and as they have been in occupa-
tlon OF Pomeroy on tho road from Dundee
through Helpmaknsr to Greytown for some
days. they have probably secured all the
passages OF the TuRela between Colenso
and the Buffalo River to guard their left flank.
BY the occupation OF Colenso. the Beers have
now definitely closed Sir George Whites re-
treat By the railway. and arc In a position
to retard the advance Of a force to his relief
while bringing tho whole OF their force against
Ladysmith.
The troops reported to have arrived at De AaT
from Cape Town are obviously a portion OF the
force which. under General French. is to move
to the relief OF Kimberley. which. there are in
dications. Ia beginning to feel the effects Of the
strict blockade maintained by the Beers. At
the same time. II has become necessary to
strengthen the garrison at lie Aar since the
Free Staters crossed the Orange River and be-
gan destroying the railway lines and bridges
toward Colesberg. Strom berg Junction. and
other points. In order to preserve tho commu-
nications with the southern part ~ the Cape
Colony and tho coast.
From the details given o: the composition OF
the siege train to be sent out from England. II
10 evident that siege operations. presumably
aaainst Johannesburg and Pretoria, are OK.
peoted The Beers are reported to have added
extensively to the defences NJ tho latter place
since the beginning Of the war but II is
believed that the guns Of tho Johannes burg
forts are serving against the British deisnees
at Ladysmith and Kim berley.
OF the progress OF tho attack against Lady
smith. nothing OF any consequence is being
allowed to transrlre. nor IL II Iike'y that any
nows OF Importance from there will be given
out pending the preparations going o.
for the defence Of Pietermaritzburg and
tho relief OF Ladysmlth. The haste. how
ever. with which all available troops and
material arc being hurried to Durham
are indications that the reports received
from Sir George White by Gen. Butler contain
urgent calls for assistance. Itseems. under tho
circumstances hardly probable that Gen. Jou-
bert contemplated direct attack on Pietermar-
itzburg unless the force at his disposal 10 larger
than thore Is reason to believe. To seriously
weaken the army investing Ladysmith m light
compromise the whole campaign. Any opera
lions south oithe Tugeia will, therefore be con-
fined TO raids and demonstrations in torco
against the British right and tho communica-
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