New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-05
GREAT BRITAIN'S ORDEAL
DEvEL OPNENTs OF THE WAR BROUGHT
4 SHOCK
40 LONGER CONFIDENCE 1N GENERAL
WHITE - CRITICISM or THE
GOVERNMENT.

GOVERNMENT.
London Nov. 4-Though the news Of the week
has tried the spirit Of the British nation 10 the
utmost. and though its military cscutcheon has
been more deeply stained than 10 ever was be-
fore. there seems TO be- ahead a still more crucial
ordeal-that OF suspense. Days. perhaps weeks
may pass before word comes from the Isolated
British force in the Neck Of Natal. and tho long
wait VIII strain as does deathbed watch. for
the eagerness n hear how the DAY went with the
beleaguered VIII be mingled with overpowering
dread that they have shared the fate of those
who fell a Nicholson's Mex Whatever may be
the business or otherwise Of the criticisms passed
on General White IL is palpabie that he no
longer possesses the confidence Of the public lie
may be fully able 70 withstand the attacks OF
the superior Boer force. and may be ready at
anv moment 20 execute a mastery retreat. but
as long as he IS cut OF from communication with
the outside world there viii exist terrible anX-
let, regarding the welfare Of the seven or eight
thousand men OF his command. The most opti-
nistic believe that fortnight is the minimum in
which reinforcements Of any Potentially can be
pushed to Ladysmith. and then It may be TOO
late. It is this interim enbttered by the vivid
memory Of recent disaster. which Will try the
temper OF the British nation. which. AS a whole
can be said 20 have embarked ia the war with
stupendous overconhdence. and which has now
awakened 10 the realization Of the fact that II
General Whites force is annihiiated il VIII cause
an indefinite prolongation of hostiliues though
il is said here o. course IL can only defer ana
not alter the ultimate result: and the British
taxpayer however patriotic. objects 10 a long
drawn out war. especially when waged against a
lrC| frrff d hfl T44
Immensely his inferior.
WHITES POSITION NOT DESPERATE.
As matter OF fact. granting that General
White possesses the qualities Of fair generaiship
there are MANY reasons 10 believe he win be able
10 hold out until reinforced oven II completely
surrounded Il IS presumed he has employed the
past weeks ia strengthening his position with
earthworks and trenches which. when manned
bv such fighters as the Gordons and Irish fusi-
liers cannot be taken without q terrible struggle
His artillery has now been reinforced by the
naval brigade and. even If it is not a match for
that OF the Beers. should be able 10 keep the
enemy from coming 10 too close quarters. He
has an abundance Of stores and apparently has
been favored by good weather Combining these
advantages with The military truism that the OPP
portunity 10 select your own position IS half tho
battle Won it is said that there seems 10 remain
TO General White fairly even chances OF holding
his own. IN spite OF the report that De is out
numbered two OF even three 70 one
The weekles exhibit no little sef-satisfactlon
at the British patriotism and stoicism. as
evinced by the reception ~ the news Of the
Ladvsmith disaster The public utterances ~
public men fully Justify this feeling, and the
same can be said Of the majority Of the more
Dc. Poe JIG
splendid stocism there has prevailed IN an
classes a feeling Of intense chaerin and amaze
nent. such as has not stirred Great Britain in
century. and il has frequently reen coupled
with the bitterest abuse OF General White. The
man held responsible for the unparalleled sui
render Of such a British force TO such an enc
my" The only redeeming feature 81 the weeks
o-eratia ms. IN the opinion OF the majority. Is the
work of the naval brigade. The difficulties
which must have been encountered in getting
/ the guns Over The country, and. even when az
/ I4dysmith. I'm getting them properly mounted.
can well De- imagined. while the resources en-
/ ployed can 30 gagged by the fact that the car
riaecs were constructed at wheelwright's ward
ar Durham by naval arthcers. These guns from
the British cruiser Powerful have 900 feet
initial velocity while that OF the army pieces
al Ladysmith IS only 100 and of nearly two
miles less range. The dramatic and opportune
arrival Of these guns has caused the navy's
praises 10 be sloudly sung though these arc
| coupled with admiration for General Whites
generous acknowledgment of the help from the
other arm
THE "sILENCED" GUNS OF THE BOERs
II is amusing to note now often the British
correspondents report the Beers guns knocked
out of action while the next day the same guns
are reported 10 be peppering away merry This
is commented uron by tie weeklies. and merel,
exemphfos what was found 10 be the case dug
Ing the frequent commandments by Adnlra
Sampson neet-L e.. that it IS impossible O.
ascertain the exact effect If heavy fire against
batteries and equally nard 10 hit the gum
themselves. though the shots may go so close
that they are covered with earth and their CUR
ners killed
The British army corps will not begin arriving
at Cape Town until November 5 and vii
scarcely be able TO take the field until the mid
ale Of Deem ber though it is likely that unit.
VIII be husily engaged before then Il is r.
ported that General HNdyard's brigade VIII D.
moved on natal without delay. probably 10y th'
end # this week
The War Office is still ienorant which column
General Butler viii personally take. The devel
oarnerts ~ Nafeking and Kimberley IL IS Dc
ueved. viii probably have much weight ir
prompting his decision II IS now thought tina
both these places are able 10 hold out though
the War Office thinks that after The relief %
General White # is next most important 10 Pc
lieve Kimberley.
Almost the only subject of discussion this "ee'
IN England was The disastrous reverse snftere
by General White. and this was made the oc
css.on for pouring ont torrents Of lay criti ism
and aGvlc. Public opinion seems fairly divided
one section bitterly blaming the General con.
manding. and the other maintaining mat he prob
ably is not 90 much AZ fault as b. made him
self out The latter section. which include
many service men and nearly all the service
publications. urges the Withholding ~ denuit