The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-12

without decisive action at Ladysmith,
the probability that the Beers will risk
an assault upon that garrison becomes,
il is said, more and more imminent.
In fact, it is claimed that the campaign
seems 20 have reached a stage where
it is absolutely necessary for the Beers
to deliver a telling stroke. Unless they
decide 10 do this their only alternative
is to retire within their own lines and
strengthen themselves against the i'm
pending onslaught by superior num-
bers.
That the latter course will be fol-
lowed without first making a deter
mined attempt to GUST or capture Cen
eral White, seems beyond all reason,
for the methodicai isolation of Cen
eral Whites force indicates that the
campaign has been carefully prepared
and the main objective definitely fixed
Even if the Beers have already discov-
cred that they have moderated General
Whites capability of resistance, it is
thought scarcely likely that they will
give up their expected prey without a
desperate struggle.
Not only have they tasted of the dan
gerous delights of victory and reveled
in anticipation in still further conquest
over the main unit opposing them,
which alone, would have great moral
effect in perSuading them to risk much
gainst Ladysmith, but now it is too
Iate for them to change the main OBJ
jective.
Cannot Move Forces.
Mobile as are the Beers, they could
scarcely transfer the body of the forces
which are at present concentrated
about Ladysmith TO any other vulner-
able British point without running the
risk of ehcountering superior numbers,
Il
Moreover, any weakening of the Boer
force at Ladysmith would give General
White a splendid opportunity of at
lacking, and even against oyerwhelm-
ing ODDS he has shown no hesitation in
accepting every opening for assuming
the offensive.
The Beers must know just as well as
three transports will arrive in South
Africa before Nov. is. They must alst
realize that their time is short, for in
the present emergency it is believed
General Butler will not wait TO organ
ize an army corps, but win content
himself with rushing 70 the front
every regiment he can dispose 81.
Hence, news telling of either General
Joubert's complete rout or General
Whites equalization it is claimed, can
now be expected daily. 1t is thought
more than likely that the engage
ment understood to be imminent will
prove to be the most serious encounter
of the war. If victory lies with General
Joubert, it Will be a month or more be-
fore General Butler can dispute with
him the possession of Natal, for while
it is still perfectly feasible to send re-
Inducements to General White. il
it would apparently. be absolutely
General White no longer a military
factor.
Retard the British.
The destruction of the railroad
bridge over the river Tugela would
greatly retard the progress even of
minor achievements, while it would
much more seriously affect the onward
march of n British force of any pro-
portions. However there is no reason
to believe Ladysmith has not a good
chance to withstand most determined
Boer attacks.
General Whites ability to hold his
own until now and the reported sue
cess which has crowned his sorties
have done much to restore confidence
in him. II General Butler continues to
send troops 10 Durham and disembark
troops there. General White will only
have to wait about a fortnight before
he is reinforced, or, at any rate. before
the reinsorcments create diversion of
But il is impossible to predict with
any degree of exactness when the
troops will diSembark on account of
the idiosyncracies of transports, sew
eral of which have developed a re-
markable penchant for breaking down
or discovering after leaving port that
their coal. boilers or other essentials. !
We're worthless.
Among the military critics what is |
most dreaded is the possibility that |
General White may succumb to the |
pettineSs of personal inclinations, |
which in the history of the world, has |
so often influenced the actions Of the |
greatest generals. On this score the |
Naval and Military Record says:
White Too Spirited.
at looks as though General White |
will rot be content TO await the ar |
rival of reinforcements and the |
supremacy of General Butler. But the !
spirited soldier who held a high COM
Tnand over the whole Indian army |
might be pardoned for being slightly 1
influenced by private ambitions"
Nearly all the authorities, while
Withholding definite criticism until
fuller information is obtainable. fail
10 understand why General White did
not fall back behind the Tugela, thus /
drawing the Beers after him into the
dIiilS VI 1tiiCIdl II is cn6rlIa-
bic TO suppose that the government of
Natal exercised influence over General
White, and is in no little degree res
pOnsible for his gallant, yet from a
strategic point of view, doubtful eff
forts TO hold the neck of Natal.
But even then, il is admitted that
no general has been exonerated in
history merely because he allowed his
actions to be hampered by a civil
government TO which he was not di-
rectly responsible. Naturally. there is
a great division of opinion on these
points.
Innovation In Warfare.
1t is learned by the Associated Press
thai one of the remarkable innovations
in warfare viii shortly be tested in
South Africa Lieutenant Foulkes. a
young officer of the Royal engineers.
sailed for Cape Town, Oct. II, to put
to uses hitherto con-
sidered impracticable which if sue
ceSsful will reyolutionize the methods
Of snilitary reconnaissance
Briefly summed up Fouikes' PROPOSE
ton is TO indicate the exact position
and formation of the Beers by means
"a telephoto pictures. He takes OUT
an equipment of his own invention and
IS attached 20 General Buffers staff.
The Duke of Newcastle's offer To
bear the cost of fitting out hospital
ship, to be known as the Princess of