New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-20
BRITISH GETTING WARY.
BOER ATTACK TOO LONG DELAYED
GENERALS WHO SERVE UNDER
BULLER
tBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

London, Nov 20, / a m.-Estcourt has re-
naned the centre Of interest for the last twen-
ty-four hours. since the Dutch allies at
tempting to carry out ar the last moment tao
tics which might have been most effective fort
night ago. The War Office bulletin during the
forenoon tended 10 minimize the earlier reports
Of Boer repulse by the garrison. 1t a slight
outpost affair, with single shell fred from the
naval gun and a hasty retreat of the small
force of the enemy. it might have been ex-
planned unsuccessful attempt Of Free
State raiders 10 destroy the railway bridge a
half mile away. II General Hndyard had not
reported large Boer force further back on
high hill. The inference plain that the
Dutch allies were concentrating several com
mands upon Estcourt and might attack the gar
rison or draw it into ambuscade before ade-
quate reinforcements with field artillery could
be sent up from the coast.
FAILED TO LURE THE BRITISH.
Between the lines OF the official dispatch could
he read the motive Of this manpuvre Of a weak
Boer force which was neither reconnoitring nor
attempting TO carry the position by sudden
rush. but was evidently seeking to draw out
the provincial cavalry after It few miles.
where IL could be entrapped by larger body
in reserve. These tactics. which had succeeded
after the battle Of Glencoe, failed on second
trial. Military men in commenting upon the
affair last evening derived comfort from the
practical evidence that the British forces were
becoming more wary and suspicious, and also
from the plain admission that the naval guns
were IN position. The shell which scattered the
Beers decOys also dispelled the illusion that
Estcourt was without powerful artillery and in
capable Of defence against Boer gunfre The
naval brigade was guard even II the three
batteries Of field artillery were barely OF the
ship, with horses soft from protracted voyage.
The news from Lower Natal is meagre. since
the censorship is rigidly enforced there. but
there is strong probability that the Boer at
tack upon Estcourt has been delayed too long
10 be efectual. Military men at the service
clubs breathed freely last night and contended
that the Beers had missed their last chance in
'he campaign and would soon be oVerpo"ered
oy superior numbers and science.
Belated DISPATCHES from the southern frontier
OF the Free State only served 10 explain why re-
iiorcements had been sent to East LONDON
and western border bulletins. especially from
Kimberley were so optimistic that it was DIFF
hcult to explain why Lord Methuen had beeh
ordered 10 relieve Kimberley. The censorship
mas been raised in that quarter. and London no"
Knows day by day what the Guards are DONG
on the Orange River
General Buffers report that ffty-six prisoners
from the armored train had arrived In Pretoria
was not accompanied with positive intelligence
concerning Lieutenant Winston Churchhls
safety greatly 70 the regret Of Lady Randolph's 8
friends, but subsequent dispatches comforted
them.
BELATED ACCOUNTS OF BATTLES.
THE Standard and THE Chronicle" and other
morning papers have long accounts by mail TO-
DAY from special correspondents describing In
detail the earliest battles IN Upper Natal ana
The retreat from Glencoe. These letters While
we'll written. contain few incidents OF real in
terest. and appear so late that little attention
Is paid 10 them. The next mail from the Cape
ought to have more interesting material, since
1t will cover General Whites unfortunate bat
tie and the loss OF Carleton's battalions Gen
An all around remedy for Lung and Throat ANS
JAYNE'S EXPECTORANT. -AoVt