New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-08
GREAT BATTLES IMPENDING.
NERVOUSNESS IN LONDON OVER THE
SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.
lBr CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE

impending before Ladysmith and Kimberley
and the Hotspurs are impatient to have them
come One leading English journal. impressed
With the conviction that the situation OF Whites
army is critical, deprecates delay and welnigh
raises CITY Of "On to Ladysmth!" 1t has also
published evidence Of large reinforcements
which General Cronje has received from Natal
and Mafeking to enable him to make strong
stand at spytfontein. The War Office, having
allowed General Butler free hand. is content
TO leave the campaign in his hands and devote
i,s energies to the rapid dispatch of the Fifth
and Sixth divisions and to arranging the details
for the mobilization Of the Seventh.
FAVORABLE TO THE BRITISH.
Military men outside Of that office do not
share the uneasy feeling OF The Times" that
the garrisons are in a critical condition and
that the difficulties of the situation either on
the Tugela or beyond the Modder are increased
BY the inaction Of the British forces They as
srt that both Generals Methuen and Clery. be-
ss In searchlight communication with the be-
sasuered garrisons. know what is going on and
r'scisey how urgent is the need Of relief They
iso maintain that the Dutch forces have less
70 gain by delay than the British. since concen-
he reserves Of artillery and cavalry are more
Important advantage for the two relief columns
,han the strengthening Of the defences Of CO.
srso and Spytfontein is for the enemy. The
tuation. when viewed comprehensively at mid
light was distinctly favorable to the British
sds, and there was no apparent reason for
hBTying much less rushing, the campaign. Gen
ca Methuen, on resuming command on
Wednesday. had an additional brigade Of in
snry, another regiment OF lancers and an In
creased force of artillery. as well cavalry.
Hs was in much better position for using the
Wonet and hammering the enemys works
'a an artillery fire and manPuvrng with cav
ay. There were ample compensations for the
@ay In mending the bridge, and If General
uonje had been reinforced the Dutch allies
we're weaker in Natal and Mafeking was
aer In consequence Of the concentration Of
nsir commands around Kimberley
The details Of two sorties by Kekewich's gar
rson furnished by the War ONCE Reuter- and
special correspondents proved how well II was
'os to protect itself. Taking advantage OF the
ssaksnng Of the besieging forces by the with
uasals for the defence OF Modder River. Keke
'Nh's men attacked, first the enemys centre
sna hen, right afterward his right flank capt
Ueo lager and four redoubts. and destroyed
'arse quantity Of military stores and food
'uuS. II was a timely and brilliant stroke for
"neh the garrison deserved Kekewich's thanks
general order
GENERAL CRONJE'S PERIL
mere has been vigorous entrenching at Spyt-
,'H'eln' but General Cronje will be in danger OF
Aa'he his retreat eastward TO Jacobsdal cut off
,"eh Lord Methuen advances TO the attack.
1900
4"e grsvest feature Of the situation in Natal
r 'ne marked Improvement in the artillery
~se'Ne ~ Of the Boer batteries around Lady
,t~ while the naval gun had Knocked out
- ''usot and a howtzer. two more siege guns
y, oeeh Drought up. and. according TO The
dispatches three Creusots four biS
''~ers' TWO batteries Of long range field guns
so O'Her heavy ordnance We're working stead
- me fations moreover, had been reduced
eiouhd In the garrison. General Butler not
=, Knows these facts but has provided so
'"s relief column that the siege VIII be
~s"CaIly raised as soon as Clery is ready 70
M the first blow. The British forces IN
"er Natal are now estimated at 2I,OOO, ana
NERAL Clery Will have not less than Z0oOo
n lot operations on either flank Of Colenso.
er may be waiting for the first six or
e"'eeh powerful howitzers which were sent
=. "Pm England A single section Of this bat
a. ~ arrived at Cape Town three days ago. and
., pooite shells would be a source Of strength
VI tne relief column
.aauous veterans who discussed the situa-
A0n last night refused 10 believe that Lady
N'h could be reduced IN eytrennities when so
sse British army was encamped twenty
-, miles away. There was an unconfrmed
s Nor during the evening that the Ladysmith
''soh had made successful sortie on Mon
Another bulletin was that the garrison
safe on Wednesday, and. unfortunately,