The evening times., 1899-12-15
Lord NIethuen's DiIemm

Additional details of Lord Methuen's de-
feat in the battle OF Megarsfontein justi-
fy the theory advanced by The Times in
regard TO the unfortunate affair. on our re-
ceipt of the first news. II appears, as We
expected il would. that Metiuen learned
that the Beers were extending their right
in way TO enflade his left flank, and
Planned a night attack TO take the posi-
ton which would be dangerous TO the Brit
ish in any case. but especially so in the
event of a necessity for retreat across the
Modder River. We will not stop to discuss
the tactics of the affair which. on the face
of our information. appear to have been
blundzring in the extreme. The London
military critics express The general view in
this connection very amply in our news
columns.
1t may be inferred from the tenor Of
reports this morning that Methusu's COM
munications have been cut OF south OF the
Modder, and as he is understood to have
only six days supplies il is nearly TO be
assumed that he will have to retreat 1t
may be a serious question whether such a
movement could be accomplished success
fully or not II he has been defeated while
presenting a bold front of confident troops
to his enemy, in a position chosen by him
self, and at least partially entrenched
what are we to consider his chances for
retiring, with his rear and flanks under
continuous attacks. and probably a fresh
hostile force on the south bank of the
river to contest its passage? In any case,
it is to be feared that the hope of relieving
Kimberley is blasted. Should Methuen
succeed in retiring to the Orange River. a
movement We are afraid would at the min
imum involve the destruction and aban-
donment of the Howitzer batteries. Cronje
would be left at liberty to sweep back
upon Kimberley with his whole force and
take it by assault, thing he should be
easily able to accomplish in such circum-
stances On the other hand, the final de-
feat and surrender of Methuen at Modder
would even better release the Beers at
Megarsfontein and Jacobsdal for opera
tions against Kekewich.
The one chance for different solution
appears to be in what Sir Redvers Butler
may be doing at this time in Natal. 1t
is not likely that the rumor of his cap
ture of Ladysmith. which yesterday excited
the London Stock Exchange, was at all
credited by any military man. Such a
thing could not be conceived as possible
without preliminary fighting Of a sort
which would have been heard from by way
of Lourenco Marques, if not otherwise. 1t
may very well be that Butler has already
begun a movement to turn Joubert's right
at the Zwarzberg. or between Colenso and
that point II effected, this would place
the British left at once almost or quite in
touch with Ladysmith, and probably de-
eide the campaign. But it seems to be ev-
ident that either Joubert's right or left
would have to be crushed before the recent
situation on the Tugela line could be
changed to British advantage; a frontal
attack in chief, on Colenso and the heights
commanding it, being apparently too cost
ly and doubtful in result to be considered
probable.
Joubert is better able than anyone else
to estimate his ability to stop Buffers ad- |
vance; and IL he regards his lines as dan
gerously weakened by any details that may
have been made TO re-enforce Cronje !
against Methuen. he will probably recall |
them and that might possibly save KIM |
berley. But at present we are unable to |
pin much faith on such a hypothesis. In |
deed, we have never been able to quite be- |
lieve that the heavy force OF Beers concen- |
trated at Megarsfontein and Jacobsdal, has |
to any great extent been drawn from Natal |
in this We may be wrong. II so.
then 1t is obviously Buffers necessary pol |
icy to force the fighting before the detach-
ments in question cen rejoln their con- |