The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-12
1899 by Associated Press.

LONDON, NOV. ll.-AS elcH Qdy anu
each week of the war draws to close
without decisive action at Ladysmith
the probability that the Beers will risk
an assault upon that garrison, it is said,
is more and more imminent. In fact,
it Is claimed that the campaign seems
to have reached a stage where It is alb
solutely necessary for the Beers to de-
liver telling stroke. Unless they de-
eide to do this, their only alternative is
to retire within their own lines and
strengthen themselves against the i'm
pending onslaught BY superior num-
bers. That the latter course will be
followed without first making deter
mined attempt to oust or capture Gen
eral White seems beyond all reason,
for the methodical isolation Of General
Whites force indicates that the cam
raign has been carefully prepared and
the main objective point definitely
| fixed. Even If the Beers have already
discovered that they have underrated
General Whites capability Of resist
ance, it is thought scarcely likely that
they will give up their expected prey
without a desperate struggle. Not only
| have they tasted of the dangerous de-
lights of victory and reveled, in antici-
patton. in still further conquest over the
main unit opposing them, which alone
would have great moral effect in per
euading them to risk much against
Ladysmith, but now it is too late for
them to change the main objective.
Mobile as are the Beers, they could
scarcely transfer the body of the forces,
which are at present concentrated about
Ladysmith, to any other vulnerable
British point without running the risk
of encountering superior numbers,
which are already pouring northward.
Moreover, any weakening OF the Boer
force at Ladysmith would give Gen
eral White a splendid opportunity Of
attacking and, even against over
wheiming odds, he has shown no hesi-
tatfon in accepting every opening for
assuming the offensive.
The Beers must know just as we'll
as the military authorities that 23
transports will arrive in South Africa
before Nov. IS. They must also realize
that their time is short for it is be-
lieved General Butler will not wait to
organize an army corps, but will con-
tent himself with rushing to the front
every regiment he can dispose of.
Hence. news telling of either General
Joubert's complete rout or General
Whites capitulation. it is claimed, can
now be expected daily. 1t is thought
that more than likely the engagement
understood to be imminent will prove
to be the most serious encounter of the
war If victory lies with General Jou-
bert, it will be month on more before
General Butler can dispute with him
the possession of Natal for while it is
still perfectly feasible to send reinforce
ments to General White, it would ap-
parently be absolutely impossible to
assume the offensive were General
White no longer military factor. The
destruction of the railroad bridge over
the river Tugela would greatly retard
the progress even of minor reinforce
ments, while 1t would much more ser
iously affect the onward march of a
British force of any proportions.
However, there is no reason to be-
lieve Ladysmith has not a good chance
to withstand most determined Boer at
tacks General Whites ability to hold
his own until now and the reported sue
cesses which has crowned his sorties
nave done much to restore confidence
IN MIN. If General Butler continues to
send troops to Durham and disembark
troops there, General White will only
nave to wait about fortnight before
ne is reinforced or, at any rate, before
the relnfofcements create a diversion
OF the Boer forces. But it Is impossi-
BILE to predict with any degree of ex-
actness when the troops will disem-
PARK on account Of the idosyncracies of
transports, several of which have de-
veloped remarkable penchant for
breaking down or discovering after
leaving port that their coal, boilers or
otner essentials We're worthless. Among
the military critics that which is most
dreaded is the possibility that General
White may succumb to the pettiness Of
personal incllnations, which in the his
tory of the world has so often infIu-
enced the actions of the greatest gen
eral. On this score the Naval and Mil
itary Record says:
TT looks as though >Genera, wbi+e
will not be content to await the arrival
of reinforcements and the supremacv
of General Butler. But the spirited
soldier who held high command oyer
the whole Indian army might be par
doned for being slightly influenced bv
private ambitions
Nearly all the authorities, while with
holding definite criticism until further
information is obtainable, fail to under
stand why General White did not fall
back behind the Tugela, thus drawing
the Beers after him into the arms Of
General Butler. 1t is charitable to sup
pose that the government of Natal ex-
ercised influence over General White,
and is in no little degree responsible
for his gallant, though from strategic
point Of view, doubtful efforts to hold
the neck of Natal But even then, it
is admitted that no general has been
exonerated in history merely because
he allowed his actions to be hampered
by a civil government to which he was
not directly responsible. Naturally
there is a great division of opinion on
these points
1t is learned by the associated press
that one Of the remarkable innovations
IN warfare will shortly be tested in
south Africa. Lieutenant Foulkes,
young officer of the general engineers,
sailed for Cape Town Oct. II, to put
photographs to use hitherto considered
lmpraeticable, which, If successful, will
reVoiutionize the methods of military
Foulkes' proposition is to indicate the
exact position and formation of the
Boers by means of telephoto pictures.
He takes ont an enuinrrasnt Of his k,u,,