The evening times., 1899-11-04
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1899.
Sir George Whites Dilemma.


morning is to the effect that co.nmunica-
tions were still open at five o'clock yes
terday evening" and that the enemy was
inactive Our short cable messages ony
add the significant statement that, on the
night before. all the women and children
in the town had been sent toward Picter-
maritzburg, escorted by an armorei train.
This. no doubt, indicates Sir Geo. ge Stew
ART Whites belief that the railway would
be cut very shortly
This information, which is supposedly
reliable, contradicts the sensational re-
ports, spread throughout Europe yesterday,
that the British had suffered defeat at La
dysmith and had fallen back toward Pie
termaritzburg. abandoning their wounded.
As the military censorship does not pre-
vent foreign governments frcm receiving
cipher messages from South Africa, and,
as the first information Of the disaster to
the Hussars after the initial fight at Dun
dee. leaked out by way of Berlin, good
deal of credit was given to these stories.
Very likely they had no other basis than
the strong probabilities of the situation as
European governments in South Africa.
We may assume then that on yesterday
the Beers had not yet completed their move
ment directed to Sir George Whites rear.
Why Joubert should have delayed the per-
fection of his investment does not appear
comprehensive on the surface OF things. He
would seem to have been able TO mass
sufficient body of troops between Ladysmith
and Colenso days ago. TO shut the British
in, and TO engage their whole strength in
any attempt TO open the door on that side.
In the absence of facts which would suggest
any local reason for failure to execute
such a seemingly obvious tactical move
ment il is impossible not TO suspect long
headed strategical purpose in thus leaving
the railway open. At first blush, the ques-
tion is natural: Why should Joubert adopt
such a course. when it is remembered that
leaving the line open. allowed the naval
brigade TO join White. and pull him out of
a very tight place in the first days battle?
The answer may be that Monday is not
Friday or Saturday Nearly a week ago
Joubert probably was not in a condition TO
land the needed force in the British rear.
If our information regarding his numbers
and dispositions is trustworthy. he has been
able to occupy the ground for two days past
at least. Then why should he fail TO seize
so plain an advantage?
We are afraid that his reasons might be
found in a design which, if entertained,
would indicate the presence in the Boer
camp of a trained strategist. with abilities
and experience beyond what could be rea-
sonably ascribed to General Joubert In
short, such an expert might advise the
Transvaal general to wait until he could
place force in the field in a position TO
strike at Pietermaritzburg and then tempt
Sir George White to fall back, by a fu-
rious attack on his front and fanks:
leaving him in the belief that his line of
retreat was clear. In the event that the 4
British commander did fall back, he might I
be caught between two bodies OF the enemy.
What suggests this possibly theory is that
Boer force is reported to be gathering
near the Transvaal boundary north of
Pietermaritzburg. which may be intended
for raid into Zululand, but is much more
likely to have the Natal capital for its
objective.
Whatever may be the cause of compare
tive inaction in front OF Whites position.
as reported today, We may conclude that
the situation is regarded by Joubert as
very much in his control. Yesterdays
late news described him as mounting guns.
as having been considerably blocked by
the accuracy and long range of the British
naval guns, and as apparently preparing
for serious bombardment. The fact trat
the women and children were sent out
Thursday night is an indication that he
had notified Sir George White of such an
intention. On the British side, we hear
that the garrison was throwing up en-
trenchments and fortifying the neighbor-
ing kopjes. in preparation for fresh as
saults. In this connection it is useful to
rote that the foreign military critics, in
cluding English experts, coincide with the
opinion, advanced in these columns several
days ago, that Ladysmith must be consid-
cred indefensible by such force as Sir
George White commands. from any tech
1ical point Of view. With Colenso appar-
emily liable to fall in the bag whenever
the besiegers wish, and the imminent pos
sibility that Ladysmith may be rendered
by bombardment. the situation
of the gallant defenders must be recog-
nized as indeed desperate.
The Problem of Heat.