The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-12
WILL THE Beers ATTEMPT TT
WILL THEY RISK An ASSAULT UPON
LADYSMITH.
Asked by All british at
This Time.

| Copyright 1899. by the Associated Press)
London, November 11.--As each day and
each week OF the war draws to a close
without decisive action at Ladysmith, the
probability that the Beers Will risk an as
sault upon the garrison becomes. 1t Is
said. more and more apparent. In fact,
it is calimed that the campaign seems to
have reached a state where It is absolutely
necessary for the Beers to deal telling
stroke. Unless they decide 10 do this, their
only alternative is to retire within their
own lines and strengthen themselves
against the impending onslaught by supo
rior numbers. That the latter course will
be followed without first making a deter
mined attempt to Dust or capture General
Whites force indicates that the campaign
has been carefully plauned and ~ main
objective definitely fixed Even IL the
Beers have already discovered that they
have moderated General Whites capability
of resistance IL is thought very likely
that they viii give up their expected prey
without desperate struggle Not only
have they tasted of the dangerous de-
lights Of victory and revealed In anticipa- /
ton In still further conquest over the main
unit opposing them which alone would /
have great moral effect in persuadng
them TO risk much against Ladysnth, bur
now 81 10 too late for them to change the
main objective Mobile as are the Beers,
they could scarcely transfer the body of
their forces. which are at present concen-
trated about Ladysmith, 10 any other vul !
nerabe British point without running the
risk of encountering superior NUMBERS,
which are already pouring northward.
Moreover, any weakening OF the Boer
forces at Ladysmith would give General
White splerdId opportunity OF attacking
ana even AGAINST overwhelming odds he
has shown no hesitation n accepting every
opening for assuming the offensive. The
Beers must know just as well as the Brit
ish authorities that twcmy-three trans
ports viii arrive in South Africa before
November IS. They must also realize that
their time Is short. tar in the present
emergency it Is said Butler viii not wait
TO organize an army corps but viii con-
tent himself with rushing to the front
as last as possible.
engagement understood 10 be imminent
viii prove TO be the most serious cnloun-
ter OF the war. 1t will be a mon n o.
more before General Butler can dispute 7
with General Joubert the occupa Ion OF
Natal
The destruction of the railroad bridge |
over the River Tugela would greatly re-
tard the progress even OF minor rein
forcements, while II would much seriously ,
AIT ' r. a 4.
OF any proportion. However there Is no |
reason to believe Ladysmith has not
good chance to withstand a most deter
mined Boer attack. General Whites abil- |
ity To hold his own until now and reported |
success which has crowned his sortias, has |
done much 10 restore confidence in him. |
II General Butler continues TO send trans |
ports TO Durham and dlsembark troops
there, General White will only have TO
wait about fortnight until he f. rein
forced 1t IS impossible however, to pre-
dict with any degree of exactness, when
the troops Will disembark en- account OF
the idiosyncrasies of the troops Hyergl |
OF which have developed remarkable |
penchant for breaking down or discovering |
after leaving port that their coal. TO lerS. |
or other essentials were worthless. Among
the military critics what Is dreaded is the
possibility that General White may sue
lions, which, in the history of the world |
has so often influenced the actions OF the |
greatest generals.
On this score the Naval and Militar, |
Record says. at looks as though General |
White will not be content 10 await the ar
rival OF achievements ana the supremacy
of General Butler But the spirl Ell sol
dler who held high command over the
whole Indian army might be pardoned for
hai cit t,,nn htt ,,rtx.
bitions."
Nearly all the authorities while hs.dins
definite criticisms until further informa- |
ton is obtained fail to understand Why
General White did not fall hack south Of
the Tugela. thus drawing the Beers after
him into the arms Of General Butler. 1t
Is charitably supposed that the governor |
OF Natal exercises influence over General |
White and It is In no little degree re-
sponsible for his gallant, yet from II
strategic point OF view, doubtful effort |
to hold the neck OF Natal. But even then |
1t is admitted that no general has been
exonerated In history merely because he
allowed his actions to be hampared by
civil governor. 30 which he was not di- |
rectly responsible. Naturally there is a |
great division OF opinion on these points
One OF the most humane contributions
TO the controversy, trenchant In Its sim |
piicity, comes from Admiral Powell, who
writes n am sailor and do not pre-
tend TO deliver an opinion on the merits |
OF the case, though my feeling is that |
General White has done a difficult duty |
we'll. Of one thing am sure General |
White has proved himself to be brave
and chiyalrous man"
The popular and expert impression now |
ts that Kimberley. Mefeking and Lad |
snlth VIII not fall into the HANDS of the
Eoers, though some people add, Il is bard |
far sttal tai
progposticatun to that effect, for 10 inn
partial observers 1t scems to be toss
up.