The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-14
OUTLOOK In NATAL IS
BRIGHTER FOR BRIT0NS

LONDON. Nov. 12-Phe simultaneous
attacks n Ladysnith, Mafeking and
Kimberley, which were opened Thurs
day. manifest full recognition by the
Boers OF me fact that every day lessons
their chances. OF q successful onslaught
on any I the three British stronghoids.
General JCUbert's chances Of reaching
PiereruarI-zou-g can be said 10 have
vanished. This is already reported 10 be
stUltted H. Colonel Schiel, the German
Clcer commanding the Boer artillery
who : supposed 20 have been largely the
author u lhe Boer plan Of campaign.
and who. n an interview, IS alleged TO
have said:
The B0er intention was 10 have cap
tu-5i Pt=-erIari-Zburg and then 10 die
tate terms. But all hope OF accomplish
iug This must now be abandoned"
There = 10 doubt that from the Br1t-
fish point OF view the general situation
il Natal is rapidly improving. Nearly
$50 troops reached South Africa during
the last forty-eight hours and by the
end Of the week from 60o0 10 1000 more
viii be added 20 the British strength in
Natal. These will probably be pushed
forward 10 Es-court, bringing the Brit
ish force there up 70 1000 men and max
fuE a general attack on .I-adysmith by
As the cavalry and artillery belonging
u General AEeyhuen's division will not
arrive by then the advance from Est
court may be delayed But If it Is
deemed essential 10 open communication
with the beleaE uered town at the earIf-
est possible moment General 8Tethuen.
f. is believed may decide 10 replace the
regular cavalry and artillery by the ra-
tive Ourlander forces and the naval
ought 10 be possible 10 occupy Colcnso
and stretch out hand 70 General White
By MONDAY, though il IS believed the
course . he followed by General Methu-
en- must necessarily be dictated entirely
by official knowledge Of General Whites
position ana resources and the experts
hope General Methuen viii be able 10
await the concentration Of the whole di-
vision before advancing and thus have
q better chance of dealing a telling blow
az General JOubert's main army, which
it IS asserted. VIII be caught between two
British forces and compelled either TO
fight general action or retire 10 their
strOnga0lds. The Drakensburg dispatch
by way Of Durham, which was brought
in By kaflr, reporting the severe de-
feat OF he Beers AT Ladysmith Thurs
day, may turn out TO be correct but in
view OF the previous experience Il must
be received with caution. It appears.
however. certain that heavy fighting oc-
Cured and that the lyddite of the naval
guns must have had a dire effect upon
the burgher forces If It reached them.
A belated dispatch from L-advsmith.
dated November c. by way Of Estcourt
under date OF November 9. confirms the
idea that the temporary cessation OF the
Boer bombardmeut was due 10 General
Joubert awaiting the arrival of other
position guns before tsckling the work
in earnest. It also says:
Every one is cheerful and confident
We can show a rigid front for weeks to
come Hitherto the bombardment has
done little damage. Yesterday the Beers
sent in eight wounded from Dundee We
have. been by train 10 the Beers ad-
vauced post. The Beers consider their
success was due 10 the business of their
cause. They have been guilty Of abusing
the Red Cross flag. News from the south
IS scanty. 4 number Of guns are in posi-
ZION all around Us. It was difficult at
first 10 locate them, as they use smoke
less explosives, but balloon managed 10
discover all the positions.
All the news from Kimberley and Mafe-
king continues 20 point 10 the ability OF
these places TO hold out until the plans Of
relief now maturing can be eonsumma ted.
Captain the Hon. Douglas Henry Mar
shall reported killed in the dispatches re-
ceived to-day from Colonel Baden-Powen
at Mafexing under date OF October 81.
was the third son of the Earl Of Romney.
Captain c. a. PetcheD. also mentioned