The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-05
GENERAL WHITES POSITION
Redeemi : ature of Operations
is ' - 3rigade's Work.
AMUSIf 5 e NEWSPAPER REPORTS
Boer That Are Reported Knock
ed of Action Are Next Day
Peppering Merrily Away at
Kruger's Opponents

London, November although the events
of the week have aroused the spirit of the
British nation to the utmost and though
its military escutcheon has been more
stained than 1t ever was before, there
seems to be ahead a still more crucial or
deal-that of suspense. Days, perhaps
weeks, may pass before word comes from
the isolated British force in the neck Of
Natal, and the long wait will strain as does
a death bed watch, for the eagerness to
hear how the day went with the beleagued
will be mingled with overpowering dread
that they have shared the fate of those who
fell at Nicholson's Mex.
Whatever may be the justification or
otherwise of the criticisms passed on Gem
eral White 1T is palatable that he long
possessed the confidence of the country.
He may be fully able to Withstand the at
tacks of the superior Boer force, and may
be ready at any moment to execute a mas
terly retreat, but as long he is cut Off
from communication with the outside
world, there will exist terrible anxiety re-
gardng the welfare of the seven or eight
thousand men of his command. The most
optimistic believe that a fortnight is the
minimum in which reinforcements of any
potentiality can be pushed to Ladysmitn,
and then 1T may be too late In this in
terim, embittered by the vivid memory or
recent disaster which will try the temper
of the British nation, which, as q whole,
can be said to have embarked in the war
with stupendous over-confidence, and which
has not awakened to the realization of the
fact that il General Whites force Is annihi-
lated it will cause an indefinite prolonga-
ton of hostilities, though it is said here, OF
course that it can only defer and not alter
the final result. The British tax payer,
however patriotic, objects to a long drawn
out war especially when waged against
people whom he has been brought to be-
lieve greatly his inferior
White Not Unprepared
As a matter of fact, granting that Gem
eral White possesses the qualities oil tair
aeneralsnip, There remain reasons TO pe-
ieye ne will be able to hold out until re-
irforced even If completely surrounded. 1t
is presumed he has employed the past lew
weeks in strengthening his position with
earthworks and trenches, which, when
manned by such fighters as the Gordons
and Irish Fusileers, cannot be taken with
out terrible struggle.
His artillery has now been reinforced by
the naval brigade which, even II 1t is not
match for that of tine Beers, should be able
to keep the enemy from coming to too close
quarters. He has an abundance OF stores
and, apparently, has been favored by good
wea ather Combining these advantages with
the military tTuism that the opportunity to
select your own position is half the battle
won, it is said That there seem to remain
TO General White fairly even chances or
holding his own, in spite or une report that
he is outnumbered two or even three to
one.
The only redeeming feature of the weeks
Opar1tiou in 0Diniom of the majority
is the work of the naval brigade. The diff
fcultdes which must have been encountered
in getting the big guns over the country,
and even when at Ladysmbth, In getting
them properly mounted, can well be i'm
agined, while the resources employed can
be guaged by the fact that the carriages
were constructed at a wheelwrights yard
at Durham by naval artificers.
The guns from the British cruiser Power
full have 200 feet initial velocity while
that of the army pieces at Ladysmith is
only 1900 and of nearly two miles less
range. The opportune arrival of these guns
has caused the navy's praises to be loudly
sung. These are coupled with admiration
of General Whites generous acknowledge
ment of the help Of the other arn.
Correspondents Amusing Report
1t is amusing to note how often the
British correspondents report the Beers
guns knocked out of action, while the next
pering away merrily This is commented
upon by the weeklies and merely exempli-
fies what was found to be the case during
tho frequent bombardments by Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet namely, that it is impos-
sible to ascertain the exact effect of a
heavy fire against batteries and equally
hard to hit the guns themselves, though
the shots may go so close that they are
covered with earth and their gunners
killed
The British army corps will not COM
mence arriving at Capetown until Novem-
ber and will scarcely be able to take the
field until the middle of December though
it is likely that units will be busiy en-
gagged before then. 1t is reported that
General Hildyard's brigade will be moved
on Natal without delay, probably the end
of this week.
The war Office is still ignorant as to
which column General Butler will person.
ally take The departments of Mafeking
and Kimberley. 1t is believed, will probably
have much weight in prompting his decis-
ion. 1t is now thought that both these
places are able to hold out, though the war
Office thinks that after the relief of Gem
eral White 1t is next most important to re-
lieve Kimberley.
Several liberal newspapers have now, fol-
lowed Lord Rsebery's lead, the Marquis Of
Northampton and Earl Spencer being
among the peers emphatically repudiating
the negotiations which led up to the war.