The evening times., 1899-10-11
The Boer UltImatum.


The audacity of the ultimatum hurled at
the British Government by the South Afri-
can Republic yesterday has created aston
ishment in England The final movement
of desperation on the part of Kruger and
his council is taken as evidence that the
situation in the Transyaal has outgrown
their power to control it, and that public
opinion among the ignorant and vainglori-
Gus burghers has forced them in effect to
declare war; for the ultimatum is tanta-
mount TO that.
1t is not considered probable that the
Colonial Office will take any notice of the
defiance except to acknowledge receipt OF
the note and withdraw Her Majesty's con-
sui from Pretoria. When the time by
which the Beers demand a satisfactory an
swer-five o'clock this evening-shall ex-
pire there is little doubt that war will be
on, or that General Joubert will at once
begin a movement against Natal.
His ability to accomplish this without
suffering an immediate reverse is open to
question. Lieut.. Gen. Sir George Stewart
White, commanding in chief in the colony,
has fully fifteen thousand of as good
troops. cavalry. infantry. and artillery. as
any commander could wish 10 handle.
They are disposed in a way to ensure ef-
fective cooperation, and could be mas Ell
against an attack in force at Laing's Mex
or elsewhere in ample time to oppose it.
Joubert may have an equal force. numeri-
cally speaking; but he will be at a decided
disadvantage in an aggressive movement.
On their own ground and act ng sri ty
on the defensive, the Beers are foenen
not to be despised. They are superb
marksmen, and in guerrilla warfare, in
which they would be able to harry the al
vance of an enemy over a rough country,
lighting behind rocks and trees and am
bushing passes and deflles, they might be
considered equal in destructive power to
like number Of civilized troops opposed to
them.
This equality would be likely to disap-
pear if they were the attacking party.
Their habits, mode OF warfare, and expe-
rience do not Justify the conclusion that
they would cut much of a figure in open
battle, which they will certainly have to
offer if they expect to defeat the British
force now defending the Natal frontier.
Joubert may be good soldier as one
pleases, but he is in command OF raw
levies, unused TO fighting in formations
larger than that Of a company, or a bat
talon at most. Military observers have
reported that his army is poorly differed,
that discipline is lax where it is not
wholly lacking, and that the Boer commits
Rariat and transportation services are no.
where.
Under these conditions if Krugers neo-
pie attempt the invasion of Natal, as it
is understood they will, they will be seri-
ously handicapped and may receive Sc
we're lesson TO begin on. OF course we
cannot be quite sure that the information
we have Of the strength and disposition
of the British troops is entirely reliable
There are commands already at Lady
smith Dundee, and Glencoe Their exact
strength is somewhat conjectural We do
not know how far the menace of native
risings may have compelled Sir George
White to draw upon his forces. for corps
of observation in other directions. Jol-
bert, as stated, has perhaps fifteen thou
sand men, all told but not more than
from five TO eight thousand are believed
10 be near the border, or available for use
In striking the first blow. Naturally, no
official news on these subjects has been
given out, and We can only guess at the
real facts of the frontier situation On the
basis of fragmentary reports from private
or newspaper sources.
1t may chance, then, that the Beers win
be able to seize and occupy Laing's Mex
and Msjuba Hill. If so, the probabilities
would seem to be that Joubert would halt
there and fortify his position. But the
crazy conceit Of his unruly rank and file
might compel him to a forward movement
against the British troops. In that event
we are inclined to think they will get such
a taste of rapid-fre guns, lyddite shells.
and long range ee-Metfords, that a good
deal Of their present martial enthusiasm
will be taken out OF them.
One of the most important pieces of news
connected with the situation, from mill
tary viewpoint, is the report that England
has bought Delagoa Bay from Portugal, and
that the cruiser Philomel. now off that place
intercepting ships carrying Boer ammuni-
tion, is also waiting to convoy the trans
ports bearing the advance OF Sir Redrers
Buffers new army corps into the harbor
There does not seem 10 be much doubt
yboaI the truth of this story Ii is freely
asserted in London that the governunen,
ALL announce the purchase 10 Parliament,