The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-25
BR1roNs FEEL BETTER
Since Hearing That Xule and White
Are to Form a Junction

Are to Form a Junction.
New York. Oct. PA dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
The tidings that General Yule was
marching toward Sir George Stewart
Whites field force and that there has
been a successful action with the
Orange Free State troops, brought
smiles back to English faces yesterday
afternoon. There had been deep ankle
tv since the war office was suspected or
holding back bad news, whereas it was
either indiscreet to announce prema-
tureIy the measures adopted Tor con-
centration of the two forces; or eIse
communication with Glencoe had been
temporarily broken off. The junction
of the two forces will enable them to
take up a strong defensive position at
Ladysmith after their decisive success
in three battles.
General White was not responsible
for the separation of the forces in the
two garrisOns at a distance too great
to admit of cooperation and support.
There were Strategica1 reasons for II,
since Glencoe with a railway spur lead
ing to Dundee, was the natural output
for the defense of Natal and the garr1-
son there blocked any flank movement
that might have threatened the COM
munications of the main body with the
coast.
1t would have been good strategy if
the British field force in Natal had been
stronger by 10000 men, but with the
superior strength of the Beers the con-
T1Qued occupation OF Glencoe Was d
source of weakness and its abandon
ment was dictated by prudence. Both
forces can now act together and the
Beers can not repeat their clever tao
tics of massing their commands for a
series of attacks upon the weaker OF
the two garrisOnS.
Military experts here unite in prais-
ing General Joubert's plan of opera
tiOns and in admitting that it was more
brilliant and practical than the tactical
scheme of defense of the British side,
by which a force inferior in strength
was divided between two exposed posts
and cut off from supporting each other.
If General Joubert's three columns had
been brought up in rapid order, the
garrison at Glencoe might have been
| overwhelmed in spite of it's superior
| artillery fire and the gaIIantry of its
| troops All accounts agree that while
| the BOer artillery firing is not always
] effective, the craftsmanship of the
| burghers is fatally accurate With their
| NIauser rifles they are as we'll armed
| as any European troops.
| Military experts here are of one mind
/ in approving the British tactics for
| uniting the two columns and the unan-
! unity Of this judgment is so complete
| that the marvel is that anybody should
ever have thought of separating the
| garrisons in the presence of superior
/ numbers. General White also receives
| credit for attacking the Beers north
| of the second battlefield, in order to
! distract their attention and to allow
| General Yule to march across the coun-
/ try and to join forces with him.
! While cautious observers were
! anxious to receive full confirmation of
/ the junction of the two garrisons and
/ refrained from whistling before out
| of the woods, the general feeling of ten
! sion and uneasiness was greatly re
| Heved in the London clubs last night.
/ General Whites third victory when
/ its full scope is known, will strengthen
| the beneficial effect produced by the
! previous battles upon the Dutch in
/ Gone * 0f 10
| strongest points in the game.
! The whole conduct of the field force
| thus far reflects credit upon the Indian
/ generals. White SymOnS and Yule and
I Colonel Hamilton are all officers Of
/ purely Indian training, pupils of Lord
| Roberts and expOnents of his school of
| warfare. That school is likely to be
| popular IN the city, where the excite
| ment of yesterday was as agreeable as
| that of Monday was sombre. 1t is be
! HeVed that many losses were sustained
on the first day A prominent f1nancier
! declared yesterday on reading Lord
] WOlseley's summary of the situation
! that the latter's statement was deeply
| 1nCOnSIderate and had it occurred at
an earlier hour. might have resulted in
! a nnanciaI furry which would have
| been felt on the bourses of Europe
! t1nanciers and spectators do not ap-
preciate the fact that commanders-i in
! chief and under secretaries of wal
| have no course except to tell the truth
| TO the nation. If General YuIe had
I DO0A4 IL OeI4SGE OF a serious reverse IL
| was hlghly proper that the country
should be prepared for the news
| The statement was current last night
that President Steyn was advancing on
AllWal North, was near the town, anc
that he had actually issued a procla-
nation claiming all Cape Colony NORTH
OF the Naal river. Whether the claim
IS serious 1t is impossible to tell but
am able to say on the authority of 6
great English banker, that to his
knowledge President Steyn has sem
20 England large drafts Representing
ms entire fortune. Mrs. Steyn is aIs1
out Of harms way at Cape Town. Pres
ldent Steyn's confidence in Great Brit
am evinced by thus intrusting to he
llls Uearest possessions, is compared by
a military friend to the action Of t51
Afrldls on the Indian frontier. who. be
Iore the last campaign. dispatched thei
women and children to be out Of DANCE
Wluhln the British lines. 1t NAV ais,
cast some light on the efficacy Of Presf
dent Steyn's faith in the Boer prospects