The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-22
political situation translates itself in
a few months into heavy loss of life
OMNIBUS SILENCE.
Is Construed to Mean That a Retreat
Is In Progress


the situation in South Africa and the
painful, nervous tension grows more
acute as the OminOuS silence continues
in regard to Generals Butler and Me-
thuen.
Below all the enthusiasm evoked by
the magnificent response to the call for
volunteers is a strong undercurrent of
apprehension, especially as to the con-
ditiOn of the Kimberley relief column.
1t is none the less perceptible from the
efforts made to smother it by sugges-
tiOns, in which the hope is father to
the thought. that the war office has
news from General Methuen which it is
cOncealing for strategic reasons until
his supposed withdrawal to the Orange
river has been successfully completed
A well authenticated report has been
received that news from General White
had come through to the effect that he
was fully provided with ammunition
and food and able to hold out for some
weeks more.
This would greatly affect the situa-
tfon and render all haste on General
Buffers part unnecessary.
News that General Methuen has re-
ceived a discourteous reply from Gen
eral CrOnje has some indirect value as
showing that his line of cOmmunicati tiOn
was open on Saturday last, but the
danger of his column being cut off has
by no means vanished
It certainly appears probable that he
viii have to retreat. He IS faced by a
superior force of Boers4 and is unable
ways in this war sooner or later Oper-
ated against the communications of the
British columns
Should General Methuen be cut off by
a BOer force seiZing his old positions at
Gras-Pan and Belmont, the British
might have another LadySmith on their
hands and even the most sanguine en-
thusiasts admit that with one Lady
smith the situation is critical enough.
If General Methuen falls back, he will
be able to wait with perfect security
when the forward movement can be re-
sumed. and, in view of the strength of
the BOer position, a frontal attack does
not promise much unless combined with
a turning movement, which means
heavy reinforcements.
The silence maintained at the war
Office as to General Methuen's move
mentS might be with the idea of keep
ing such a backward step secret until
completed.
In default of any important news of
Generals Butler and Methuen. public
attention is directed to the question of
the possibility of the Beers importing
ammunitiOnS of war and recruits by
way of the Portuguese port of LOuren-
20 Marques. Many statements, some of
them bearing evidence of accuracy,
have appeared in the newspapers ap-
parently conhrmatory of these reports.
The passage of foreign officers and men
into the Transvaal, however, is most
difficult to prove and before it can be
assumed that quantities of ammunition
and food stuffs are passing into the
Transvaal, from LourenZO Marques, the
facts must be absolutely sure.
England at present is directing a
very keen and critical eye upon Della
goa Bay-mOre so than is generally
thought.
Your correspondent by meeting a
Delagoa Bay merchant learned many
sidelights which bear directly upon the
present war and explain how well the
Beers, having no lack of money, are
able to continue their persistent and
ever-increasing resistance. He said:
The Portuguese officials of the Del
agOa port, and 1 know them well, ara
the most corrupt lot in the world When
the war commenced the Portuguese in
DelagOa Bay, like everybody else in the
world, considered victory a dead Ger
tainty for the English and, therefore
they at first put a certain curb upon
the BOer importation of arms, recruits.
etc. But since the English reverses all
that has been changed.
They have turned around and are
entirely against US.
Instead of helping the English in
DelagOa Bay, they have made that port
a base of supplies for the Beers. -
But" was asked, how can they
manage that2 Don't the English war
ships patrol the coast and stop con-
Yes" he said. but what is a control
exercised outside the three mile limit?
That does not make any difference.
Food. munitions and recruits are
brought in almost openly. Arms are
concealed in the lowest parts of the
ship and covered over with tons of stuff.
Examine such ships out at sea. Why,
it would take three weeks to examine
them properly. The bills of lading, of
course, are all cooked.
AS for the recruits. they come in
the same ships as passengers, walters
or sailors, it does not matter how.
They are landed and received with
ovations and enthusiasm. After this
open armed reception they are expedi-
ION T1s.1
all They come as civilians, they leave
as soldiers.
All Europe is a recruiting ground for
the BOers-Germany Belgium, Russia,
Sweden, Holland and Ireland all con-
tributing''
Who recruits them?" was asked.
He Is inst as ne dIe7 fTp!y; ~ 10 ouC 1 Dr i-eSqS 35e
Leyds all the credit he deserves. 1t is
Leyds with almost unlimited secret
money, who is engineering all this. 1t is
he who inspired and bTjbed the French
press OLD Kruger gives the money and
OF these recruits Leyds is not getting
but the very best, let me tell you
Every little dodge which can throw
sorted to. and helped by the Portuguese
in Delagoa bay.
Bear this very much in mind for it is
bay today a BOer possession it would be
ment, because we would then know what
to do. but today we are powerless to
cruits from arriving
In the light of what we know. there is
nothing to do but for England to remem-
Der that she has a fleet and to use it to
occupy LOurenzO Marques
IF England acts thus with regard to
DelagOa bay the war will be over in three
months. If she leaves things as they are
now the war will last for at least a year
If England takes Delagoa bay she will
have nothing to fear France will not
move without Russia and if Russia NOV
ed she would have Japan on top of her
Germany has been paid
asked.
I don't mean exactly in cash but in
promises of a quid pro quo in Africa In
a short time you will find that a conven-
tion between England and Germany win