The times., 1899-12-04
4 History-Mnking week.


Beyond any reasonable doubt the week
just opening win witness events Of great
Importance in South Afriea-events likely
to bring sorrow to many hundred house
holds in Great Britain, ireland. the Trans
vaal and Orange countries. and possibly In
Canada and Australia. Things of a de-
cisfve character must happen between the
Modder River and Kimberley and on the
Tugela without postponement; although
in the latter case it is possible that there
may be the delay of few days before
general engagement, owing to strategicaI
maneuvres on the part of the British gen
erals. But no one competent to make pre-
dictions seems 10 doubt that Lord Methuen
viii push ahead again the moment he gets
his re-enfOrcements. and reconstructs the
railway bridge that he may send his heavy
guns across.
In spite of the news explanatory of the
Modder River fight. which has been given
out, good deal OF uncertainty still exists
as TO the surrounding circumstances and
particulars Of that engagement. It is said
in London that Lord Methuen is nothing
OF strategist but that he is a splendid
fighter and knows every foot OF the ground
over which he is operating. Perhaps on
the theory that he is not strategist. it
seems 10 be assumed by some Of the mill
taIy writer's that he did not expect opposi-
ton in force at Modder River. but that the
Beers would wait for him behind the nat
ural defenees of Spytfontein We can
hardly accept such an idea A swollen
river, Offering on its farther bank ideal
ground for resistance. and an extraordi-
nary opportunity for inficting heavy loss
on an advancing enemy with the prospect
of little to the defenders. appears to US
such an obvious military proposition that
it must have occurred TO the mind Of
Nethuen or anybody else who had ever
taken part IN war or even witnessed the
autumn maneuyres of a European army.
With Spytfontein 10 fall back upon in two
or three hours march at the outside. why
II should not be assumed that Cronje would
contest the passage of the river ts some
thing beyond comprehension. and Methuen
must be considered to have assumed it.
Otherwise the suspicion might be justified
thai he is unfit for independent command.
As yet there is nothing to indicate that
LoEd Methuen gained any substantial ad-
vantage in the fight He lost six Der cent
Of his command having previously lost
another six per cent at Belmont and Gras
Pan What the Boer losses were at Mod
der no one appears TO know; but probably
they were unimportaut or something about
them would have transpired. In the ab-
sence Of information the chances seem to
be that Cronje effected all he expected to
in blowing up the bridge. and inficting
heavy damage on his antagonist at long
rife range, after which he retired to his
entrenched position at Spytfontein, If that
Is where he is to make his next stand
Sir Frederick Forestier- Walker at Cane
Town reported on Saturday that he had
sent regiment Of Highlanders and cav
airy corps to re-enforce Methuen. This
accession would about make good the
losses in the advance from Orange River
as FAR as they are known; but it does not
seem adequate to raise the strength Of the
column to safe point, considering the
probable conditions under which the battle
at spytfontein viii be fought, should Keke-
to directly cooperate Perhaps Methuen
is counting confidently on that assistance
and may have good reasons for his re-
lance. It is more than probable that he is
in photographic communication with ths
Kimberley garrison, and may have arrang-
ed some common plan with its able and
gallant commander. One or more batteries
Of horse artillery and the Australian and
Canadian battalions have been forwarded
to De Aar or north of 1t, to keep Methuen's
rear and communications from attack
Evidently, everything possible is being
done with the limited means in hand 10
aid Methuen, and there Is a good deal of
confidence at army headquarters and In
the military clubs in London that the re-
lief OF Kimberley VIII be ACCOMPLISHED
this week. How much solid ground there
may be for that optimism we are quite
unable to say.
Il seems 10 be beyond question that the
fine Bulwer Bridge over the TugeIa River
at Colenso has been destroyed by the Beers
The river is understood still to be In
food; but this does not mean that il Is
impossible at other points. Jouberts
commands retreating from Mooi River
evidently were able to cross it, probably
by the ford north Of weeuen's Station, and
there are practicable fords TO the west OF
Colenso. Sir Redyers Buffers chance
would seem TO be furnished by these sepa-
rated possibilities for crossing.
The Beers have q long river line to
protect from Tugela Ferry. On the Help
makaar road. about thirty miles east of
coleHso. to the town OF TugeIa nearly or
quite as far west This line includes GER