New-York tribune., 1899-11-09

MANY CRUMBS OF COMFORT IN THE NEWS
FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

,,Axv GRIMES OF COMFORT IN THE NEWS
FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
1ordon Nov 9.-To the eyes Of military ex-
rarts tho darkest page of the war Is now pelhs
w-,tten But even that is Illuminated WIN
bright passages such as General Whl'e VIZ
torious sorties. II he can keep the bri'ish mas
Aving over Ladysmith until he IS renewed ','e
camraign will turn fresh page anu WIN W..
advance Of Sir Redvers Buffers force the Dii''s
,hHo T. promised more cheerful reading. Tnis
feeling Of relief inspired by recent gooo tloine'
Is nevertheless tinged by a certain a"oS u
anxiety lest General White should again iiiaNe
| some fatal miscalcuation involving repe.i''o"
NJ the Nicholson Mex disaster Her MfJes'S
does not share this anxiety. and, apparently 10
sanguine Of his ability to pull through suO0e''
fullv II is asserted that she mas "ii''e" ~
Lady White expressing sympathy Win "e'
husband In the trials and difiicuities ne 10 ~"
experiencing. and assuring Lady White Oh her
~ nd,mirished confidence in his general
shin The purport Of this letter has been capied
to General White by the Marquis Of Lansoo"he'
MAY REOPEN COMMUNICATION.
The most interesting news tonight is DIS
match from Estcourt announcing the departure
Of a strong force of mounted troops anu ai'iieiS
for a destination not given in the adVices' AN
other message announces the arrival at EST
court and Pietermaritzburg within the last le"
davs Of renforcements from DURHAM anu '"a'
2 400 troops are assembled ready for a reao'ahce
to Colenso when the opportune moment ai'Ne''
The latter dispatch throws light upon the lot
mer and the force which left Estcourt OH 'io"-
aa, has douhtless reoccupied Coenso and. pos
sibly, is now advancing cautiously up '"e '"
road toward Ladysmith. General Whites sor'ie
olp n hp
River, encouraging Its coihiiiahuei III ~ '
of Joining hands with him.
General Joubert. the latest advices "ouiu III
dica.e drew in his horns after Fridays engage
mont and has since withdrawn the southern
Toer contngents. leaving only outposts on the
line from Ladvsmith to Colenso The Beers VINO
occupied Colenso about the middle OF last "ceh
retired without damaging Bulwer BRUCE over
the Tugela River. the railroad as Tar hoi'
as the village Of Nelthorpe. seven miles Sou'h Vi
Iadysmith Evidently they nurse nope OF
eventually utilizing both in their descent Oh
Pietermartzburg. Meanwhile the bri'ish are
also able to use both. as they have already
done. in running up an armored train. which
NAV at the present moment be covering the ad-
vance of the Estcourt force.
NATAL CITIES MADE SECURE.
Az Estcourt and Pietermaritzburg the de-
fensive works have been greatly strengthened
within the last few days. and they are now be-
,eved TO be capable of holding their own against
anv Roer force which General Joubert would at
the present juncture, risk sending against cither
town. Both are likely to be strengthened De-
fore the week is out by a further naval force
and even by the first detachment Of General
Buffers army corps.
None OF the troopships have arrived. The one
which IT was predicted might reach cape Town
at the earliest Monday Is as yet unan-
| nounced and even when 1t does arrive there IL
will have three days steaming to reach
| Durham Natal AS many as SIX Transports WIN
| 800 troops were expected to be In cape Io"h
| Harbor by this time; but the war once last
evening issued a statement to the effect ''ia'
the only arrivals at Cape Town were inc ou-
,,atra from DURHAM with wounded the South
| ern Cross from Gibraltar, with mules, ana the
collier Wenvoe. OF course it Is possible that
,,..oh boats have been sent to meet the troop
| ,, ,,,tb instructions to proceed direct to Dur
| 49,, and in that event the War Office statement
hot NOT one has arrived at Cape Town would
| 10 uteraIIv accurate even though several should
va half way between Cape Town and Durham.
,rcs PRESSURE ON MAFEKING.
| r. ,,uation looks brighter at Mafeking.
,,ho,e the Boerr are apparently dishear'eheu a'
,,,oxnected resistance. a large body OF their
s having been detached to the south 10
' VIA, 4, the investment Of Kimberley. around
,,o,, tho Gordon is drawing tighter. EVideh''y
w. poers intend to make concentrates e"or'
70 20 capture Kimberley and 'he'r arc" e"'"'
Cecil Rhodes poar contingent
Tne reported departure of 'oer co"'''S'"'
..,ued IN fourth puKe'
/ AII.ROAD