The evening times., 1899-10-17
EngIand's War.

The strict censorship of the press which
has been applied at Cape Town and at
Alden, will now confine news of operations
in South Africa to what it suits the views
of the British authorities to allow to be
transmitted. This may keep good deal OF
interesting matter from reaching the
American press. especially during the
interval that must elapse before the Brit
ish forces in South Africa are in proper
shape to inaugurate a campaign OF inva-
sion. After that, il may be predicted that
limitations on news will be considerably
modified, and approximately full reports
will be again obtainable.
Since yesterday the military situation
does not appear to have changed materi-
ally. Refugees from the Transyaai, just
arrived at Lorenzo Marquee, bring the
story that the Beers attempted to
carry Mafeking and were repulsed with
heavy loss This may be true, but 1t is
probably no more than rumor. On the
other hand. there is no doubt that the in
yestment OF Kimberley is fact, and the
| chances are that there is fighting there
today. The presence of Mr.. Cecil Rhodes
in the settlement is an incentive to the
! Beers to make desperate effort to take
the place. Whether they will be able to
| do SO, or not, remains to be seen. Conf
dence in the ability of its defenders TO
stand long siege is not as great as 1t has
/ been. The commander at Kimberley has
sent an urgent request for re-enforcements
while maintaining his opinion that he can
hold out. But it will probably be month
or more before a relieving column can
reach him. under the most favorable condi-
tions.
In the Neck of Natal, the forward move
ment of the Transyaal forces seems 10
have been checked for the moment by Jou-
bert's defective transport service. The col
umn from Laing's Mex after occupying New
Castle advanced yesterday TO Dannhauser
| evidently pointing for the British camp al
Glencoe Junction; but Immediately fell
! back to Ingagane ten miles south of New
Castle. At various places on the Glencoe
Ladysmith line the British outposts have
exchanged shots with Boer vedettes, and
this strengthens the opinion that a battle
is imminent. General Jouberts obviou:
intention is to cut off Glencoe from Lady
smith, and, probably, then to attack thI
latter.
The only other items of general interes
in connection with the war are the callin!
out OF the Cape volunteers, which move
ment the Schreiner colonial ministry hat
previously resisted, and the Queens speecl
in Parliament The latter, delivered TO
day, was short and confined to the issu,
in hand. 1t merely recites that the state o
affairs in South Africa makes il expedien
that the government should be enabled t
strengthen the military forces of the coun
try by calling out the reserves; states tha
except for the difficulties that hav
been caused by the action of the Soutl
African Republic the condition of the worI
continues to be peaceful and asks for tn
necessary grants.
Some severe criticism of the govern
ment's unreadiness TO meet the crisis i,
South Africa is looked for from the radica
section, and a hostile movement is expectet
on the part of the Irish members; but O,
the whole very little opposition is anticl
pated, the leading Liberals as well as Con
servatives being inclined to stand by tn
government in serious national emergen
its aEtecedont policy or conduct.