The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-27
CLEARING OF TIE SITUATION IN
AOUTH AFRICA.

The news Of the last twenty -four hours has
cleared the view OF the situation in South
Africa. The earlier accounts Of the lighting
round Glencoe and Dundee now prove TO have
been misleading. and attest that though
the Beers. owing to their inferiority
OF mum bers. were Obliged to retire. the
British suffered so severely that on
the approach OF the main body Of the
Transvaal Army under Gen. Joubert. hasty
abandonment OF their position was decided
on. and Gen Iule. with his men fatiRued By
a difficult and anxious march. is now at Lady
smith. The abandonment OF the sick and
wounded To the generosity OF the Boer COM
mander is evidence OF the urgency OF the re-
treat which docs not appear to have been mo-
Tested In any way. The details connected
with this movement. as also tho story OF how
the squadron OF the Eighteenth Hussars and
40 many officers now prisoners at Pretoria.
came to fall into the hands OF tho Doors. will
be awaited with interest. for no satisfactory
explanation OF it 10 yet forthcoming.
The chief In terest in tho situation. however.
now centres at Ladysmith. which has become
the railhead OF the British occupation OF Natal
north ofthe Tugela River. and = short time will
decide whether the operation TINT compelled
the evacuation OF Dundee may not be repeated
on larger scale ut Laiysmth. or whether the
help arrives There is apparently moth
ing to prevent Boer movement down
the Helpmakaar road toward Greytown and
PietermaritzburR. and force established
at the former place would threaten the
communications between the latter and Lady
smith at several points. notably at Oolenso.
where the long viaduct across tho Tugela 10
vital to the safety OF the conn ection between
Sir George Whites force and tho sea. What
the immediate objective OF the Boer Com
mando reported to have appeared at Melmoth.
in Southeastern Zululand may be 10 not APP
parent. unless it 10 sent to guard against a
msnt on the part OF the Zulus. who arc
said to be disposed to take advantage OF the
present confusion.
From the anxiety Sir George White Is dis
playing In his efforts to keep his right flank
clear. It 10 plain that he fears a turning move
ment In that direction. so We shall probably
hear OF some sharp fighting ON tho Newcastle
road and that leading to Beth by which Gen.
Yuls retired. so soon as the Boers from
Rorkes Drift and Dundee como into touch
with his outposts. The Free State corps now
reported massing at Besters Station. about
fifteen miles from Ladysmith. are undoubtedly
moving in combination with Gen. Jouberts
column. 30 that battle or retreat cannot be
far of
The news coming from Pretoria by Lorenzo
Marques OF tho opening OF the bombardment
Of MafekinR points to some decisive result at
that place at an carly date: but tho fate OF
Kimberley 10 still in suspense With the Doors
closing In on It steadily from every side. The
reported affair at Rhodes Drift on the Limpopo
Just south OF Fort Tuli In Rhodesa was evil
| IDENTIFY only a skirmish. Col. Plummer's force
not being strong enough to take aggressive
action against tho Zautspanbsrg Commando
which is watching that side Of the country.
There is one feature OF all the nows received
OF the Boer treatment OF the wounded and
prisoners that has to be noted. 1t 10 that 1t hat
been marked by kindness and consideration
and in every respect the very opposite OF that
! which the detractors Of the Beers have en-.
deavored to make the European and Americas
public believe would be the case.