New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-04
LITTLE NEWS GETS THROUGH
WHITES EXAMINATION PROBABLY LOW
BRITISH STRENGTH IN AFRICA.
my CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.

IBY CABLE THE TRIBUNE.l
London. Dec. 4. l a. m.-Belated dispatches re-
ceived yesterday from two beleaguered garrisons
offered striking contrast between activity and
'mmobility Kimberley was making sorties and
Irving back the Beers, while Methuen's column
vas marching toward the Modder whereas
Ladysmith was quietly watching an ineffective
bOmbardment. and not interruptng General
Jouberts work Of strengthening the defences OF
his intrenched camp among the outlying hills.
This contrast serves 10 confirm the conclusion
which many we'll informed military men have
frankly expressed that the Ladysmith gar
rsOn has been saving its ammunition because
the supply was running low. General Whites
force made few If any sortes during November.
and no night attack. whereas the Kimberley
garrison has remained active.
While General White received without doubt
orders from General Butler TO keep quiet and
take no risks and confne General Jouberts S
iorce far as possible TO Upper Natal, his In
action, especially when the raiders went south,
can only be explained on the theory that Lady
smith Ike Dundee, was not we'll supplied with
ammunition. and II was necessary 10 save
powder and shells. Military men ~ho take this
view assert that il accounts for Buffers action
In heradng Methuen's march for the relief Of
Kimberley. since. knowing what was the real
situation in Ladysmith he was anxious TO
minimize the resistance 10 Clerys column in
Natal by diverting attention to the western
border and drawing the Free State forces TO
that quarter Methuen's experience proves that
Butler succeeded in this respect only too well.
THE SITUATION IN NATAL
The embargo upon news from Natal is now
mi he u.hip
through yesterday were dated early last week.
Everything points TO the Boer occupation Of a
strong position at Gobler's Kloof. and a de-
termined defence Of the Tugea River line. II
me Beers are forced back they will have strong
" intrenched positions around Ladysmith in a
broken, rocky country after their own heart
The Tugea valley and the amphitheatre of hills
beyond are well suited TO the operation Of an
Irregular mobile force and General Joubert.
without doubt, will hold the British army there
@s 'ohg as possible. Heavy and prolonged iight-
"s now generally expected in that quarter.
@"u not even the optimists venture 10 forecast
'"0'l campaign. Some most thoughtful ex-
u.s. however, are convinced that the Boers
rapidly exhausting their stock Of ammuni-
"'h' especially for long range guns, and that
ie' cannot replenish it. II this be true, peace
nay not be far away
"o IRON Methuen's army is also blocked'
VO' 'here Is little reason 10 doubt that ne mas
''" strongly reinforced Infantry battahohs
n@'e PROBABLY been drawn from the Highiahu
"''saue' but Il is not yet known whether CEN
~' "duchope Is with them. He is gallant
'ah' who has served in half a dozen cam
'ashs and has been wounded four times
Dy The death OF the commander Of the I'd
I''us'reams, Major Hennker is left In charge
VI lhat battalion lie is wide awake officer,
'' known In military circles here and In Lon
VH society. His wife is Lord Houghton s
oNushter and a sister of Lord Crewe. and Is an
soCohphshed woman who has written novels
and plays
COMMUNICATING WITH KIMBERLEY.
"e siowness with which the details or the
'"'ue OF Modder River have reached London is
.Ap'slhed by the rigorous censorship enforced
:" "oer TO allow fresh troops TO move forward
"''hout interruption from raiders, and the ear
''' accounts of the ten hours fight VIII be
So'ent as ever-the Standard Cough Cure
"A