New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-23
RELYING ON SUPERIORITY.
CAUSES FOR ENGLISH CONFIDENCE OF
ULTIMATE VICTORY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

THE TRiBUNEJ
London Nov. %. l a m.-1f General Jouoert
were in possession Of all the war news contained
IN to-day's London journals he would not have
single helpful cue. He would he forced to
pick and choose among a dozen different est-
mates Of the strength of the British force In
Lower Natal and on the southern and western
frontiers Of the Free State, with the certainty
that every one was below the mark. He would
not find any clew TO the distribution or compo-
sition Of Clery's troops between Estcourt and
Durham nor single glimpse Of what is going
on within General Whites lines at Ladysmth
He would also have reason TO question his own
sanity were he to attempt to reconcile the con-
fcting theories advanced by military writers
respecting his strategy. immediate objects and
point OF view.
Equally unintelligible is this mass OF rumors
and contradictions TO English readers They
know that IIildyard is at Estcourt with naval
guns. the Provincial Horse and portion OF
the Second Brigade. and they suspect that
Barton is at Mooi River with portion Of the
Sixth Brigade while the remainder OF Clerys
army is scattered at various points lower down
with reinforcements still at sea, and three bat
teres Of field artillery and possibly several COM
panies Of mounted infantry somewhere on the
shore Otherwise they are completely in the
as little Of the maneuvres Of their own army
as Of the mysterious tactics Of Joubert's forces.
which, in unknown force. either for looting or
serious warfare. have flung themselves between
Estcourt and Pietermaritzburg and cut off COM
municaton with the sea.
NO ALARM IN ENGLAND.
This situation causes bewiderment, but no
alarm. Confidence is inspired by the superiority
Lower Natal and the borders Of the Free
State. and by the assurance that Ladysmith is
doubly safe when portion of Joubert's force
has been withdrawn for a series Of southern
raids and for the hazardous operation Of block
ing Clery's advance Military men in close touch
with the War Office assert that mlsgvngs
are entertained there and that no news Is with
held from the public. They add that General
Butler has sent to Lower Natal Clery and Hid
yard two OF the best strategists in the British
Army and that they must understand the situa-
tlon fully, If nobody in London does No expert
attempts to explain how those generals can
keep In constant touch with the enemy without
better arrangements for scouting than have
been reported hitherto. Lord Methuen. the
Orange River, is well equipped in this respect.
for he has fine cavalry force His troops are
feeling their way toward Belmont and have
few guns Whether they advance TO Kimberley
or into the Free State The effect will be TO draw
of the Dutch commands now lowering about
Naauwpoort and other points the southern
frontier
The lack Of war news encourages some optim-
fists 10 write hopefully Of the alleged attempt OF
Hofmeyer and Schrener 10 induce President
steyn 70 draw out from the campaign and sue
for peace, but this result lies outside the range
OF serious discussion.
A RUMOR FROM VIENNA.
The Star" with a truer instinct. displays a
Vienna dispatch containing information from St
Petersburg that the Russians have occupied
Herat This is not improbable, as it comedies
with the forecasts which The Times" published
ten days ago from it's St. Petersburg corre-
spondent. But the report lacks defnteness and
Official authority It may easily be that sur
Prise OF this kind has been carefully planned for
the entertainment Of the Queens guests at |
windsor, and II would be well timed for a crit |
ical moment Of the British campaign in Africa.
The German press has been completely recon |
cleo to the Emperor's visit 70 England by the |
exceptional distinction Of his reception. The |
absence Of Lord Salisbury from the has |
served to convince even the most suspicious |
journals that there can be no secret diplomacy |
behind the scenes
Inc report Of Mr. Reds speech on the rela-
uons Of America with England and Germany |
was displayed by every afternoon paper yester-
gay and is repeated in this mornings journals.
IL Is attracting much attention as the first public
u'teTance from America on the new era in
Anglo-Saxon good feeling
The Prince and Princess Of Wales visited the |
Red Cross ship yesterday and were greatly in
Inc Celebrated Trueby Pottery in soft and rich |
Greens Theodore i. Starr. Madison Square West.