The times., 1899-11-26

Admiral Schley in order that it may be
then easier TO confer upon Sampson re-
wards and profits he never earned; but
there is not any TOO much time.
The Situation in Natal.
There has not been any decisive change
in the situation between Pietermaritzburg
and Ladysmith, as far as we can judge
from the dispatches, although they afford
some information that appears to make the
British side Of the picture a bit brighter.
We are now probably able to reach some
approximate numerical idea of the forces
engaged. a matter as to which everybody
has been badly at sea from the beginning,
If the latest estimate of the total Boer
strength in the field in Natal and else
where. is correct. it amounts to about for
ty-three thousand men. This, it is said,
agrees with the reports made to President
Kruger by General Joubert Il may be
suspected, however, that it is an under
estimate OF course we cannot say def
nitely what forces are on service in the
Orange State northern Cape Colony, and
O4A LLt NISNtlil II llbullti. EhftDtNtuB 10 SUN
light as we have on the subject Cronie
has about four thousand around Mafekng.
In front Of Kimberley and between there
and Belmont, Generals Vessels and Du-
plessis. have perhaps ten thousand The
various invading forces from over the Or
ange River may be five thousand, more OF
less. This would give a western aggre-
gate OF nineteen thousand which deducted
from the total would leave Joubert only
twenty-four thousand in all Natal
If we may believe our London advfces,
based on war Office utterances and the
statements Of military writer's, the Brit
ish general commanding at Pietermaritz-
burg is inclined TO accept something like
the total estimate above mentioned, and
must therefore also lean to the theory
that Joubert is not able to seriously en-
gage all the garrisons he appears to be
containing at Ladysmith. Estcourt and
MoOi River. 4 close analysis of the proba-
bilities in the case would seem to par
tally Justify such deduction even grant
ing the Boer general thirty thousand in
stead Of twenJy-four thousand troops. We
shall not have long TO wait before deyel-
opments viii show how much basis there
may be for the theory. Il is officially an
nounced that sixteen thousand six hundred
and nifty eight men have beeen landed at
Durham. There were already in the
Colony. not counting Ladysmith of regu-
lars and colonials, four thousand five hun
dred So if we include Hildyard's and
Bartou's commands at Estcourt and Mooi
River. General Clery has a total strength
OF twenty one thousand. Sir George White
has certainly nine and perhaps ten thou
sand. Now, unless a most signal blunder
has been made in regard to Jouberts
strength, concerted action between Clery
and White, with what the smaller garri-
sons might be able to do simultaneously,
ought TO reyoluuonize the situation.
Something of the kind is evidently in the
minds OF the military authorities, ana the
professional element in London is looking
to hear of such a general movement cry
shortly after the arrival of Sir Redvers
Butler at PietermaritzbuTg, where he is
due today Il is surely time for action of
some sort, for one Of the latest reports al
leges that six thousand Beers have ap-
peared at Howick only fifteen or twenty
miles above the colonial capital They do
not seem to have remained in the neigh
borhood. but to have shortly retired to the
Mooi River There is another despatch
which represents Barton as having been re-
enforced. This is confusing. as the com
mand at Helens Bridge has been generally
considered as isolated for some days. The
fighting reported from Hildyards and Bar
tons positions does not appear Of char
acter to convey the impression that Jou-
bert is attacking those points in much
force. All authorities now agree that he
is personally an able strategist, and master
Of the art Of war as il should be practiced
under South African conditions. He is
playing a deep game in Natal: how deep,
or bow successful it may prove. is for Sir
Redvers Butler 20 guess and develop The
serious business ought to begin between
Pietermaritzburg and Estcourt within the
next Two or three days If Clery is in a
condition as forward as il would seem he
should be, the bugles for the advance
should be sounding within twenty-four
hours from the moment that the general
in-chiet reaches his juniors headquarters.
Secretary Root has done a popular thing
in revoSing the order of his predecessor