The evening times., 1899-10-28
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IS, 1899.
The Investment of Ladysmith.

The Investment of Ladysmith.
The news from Natal today affords Us a
fairly reliable view of the situation at
Ladysmith and it is painfully obvious that
it is not an encouraging one for the Brit
ish forces under Sir George Stewart White.
1t appears that the dying general, Symons,
urged his successor in the command at
Dundee to abandon his wounded and pris-
oners and TO retreat. Joubert saw indi-
cations of the movement, but interpreted
them to mean a trap for his column, and
did not advance until Yule had retired
far enough to make his junction with
White feasible without opposition. The
affair at Elandslaagte operated as check
upon the Boer movement toward Lady
cmith but only a temporary one. 1t was
valuable diversion, however, as it afforded
an opportunity for the accession of nearly
two thousand men from Pietermaritzburg
infantry and artillery-to Sir George
Whites strength He is now reported to
have force of fifteen thousand troops of
all arms.
If these endorsements had been de-
layed two or three days longer, theywouid
on consideration Of the strategical move
ments of the enemys army. Joubert has
marched to the attack in two columns, the
first taking the direct southerly route by
the railway from Glencoe Junction, the
second following the eastern line of Yule's
retreat by way of Beth. The latter move
ment by this time must have resulted in
placing the second column in command of
The British rear and of the communications
with Sir George Whites base. The Orange
Free State forces occupy a position to the
west of Ladysmith, and their outposts no
doubt have been moved close to its en-
virons. 1t is thus made plain that the
British position is completely invested, and,
al latest advices, was liable to open at
lacks from three directions-north, east,
and west.
Whether Joubert will attempt TO carry
Iadysmith by an active assault, or proceed
~ reduce the place by bombardment at
long range and starvation, remains to be
seen. The Transvaal policy undoubtedly is
TO score an important victory if possible,
before Buffers corps can arrive from Eng
land. 1t is naturally assumed at Pretoria
that such a success as the defeat of White
and the capture of Ladysmth, would exert
useful effect in promoting whatever
schemes of European Intervention may be
in contemplation, subject to the course of
events On that account we firmly expect
that Joubert who is not lacking in skill,
and whose troops are certainly brave and i
devoted, will force the fighting, and accept |
whatever sacrifices of life may be necessary
TO an attempt TO carry the place.
The Boer commandant general-as nearly
as we can estimate on the basis of scatter
ing press and war Office reports during the
past two weeks-has available an effective
force of approximately twenty-five thou
sand men; comprising, the column from the
North, probably under General Erasmus,
five thousand; the column from Dundee
and Berth, probably commanded by General
Lucas Meyer, six thousand; and the Orange
Free State levies to the West. eleven thou.
sand. As ii is reported that re-enforce-
ments have been continually arriving BY
way of Laing's Mex, for the past ten days,
there is possibility that the foregoing ig-
ures ought 10 be increased by five or six
thousand. This view is supported by the
consideration that Joubert would hardly al
tempt to defeat the Ladysmith garrison by
direct assault if that be his tactics, unless
he had double or nearly double the nu-
merical strength of the defence.
1t is observable that military critics in
Europe look for the decisive fighting at
Ladysmith to begin on Sunday, and this
view is a reasonable one. 1t should take
the besieging general four or five days to
plan his attack, and to make the neces-
sary disposition of his forces in proper
for battle This would be the
case supposing the army to be composed
Of trained troops with veteran and scien-
tifc soldiers as division and brigade lead
ers. With the material at his command
Joubert might require a few days longer
to make ready for the issue; but his force
is not large enough to be especially up-
gieldly for his immediate pur pose; much
less SO than it would be if mobile, depen-
dent upon poorly organized commits I
'ariat, and liable TO the accidents to which ;
troops and commanders are s
exposed in an aggressive campaign in the
open. So it may be that the Beers will I
De ready for serious business by Sunday,
Is predicted abroad. /;
What will be the result OF the attack {
IN Ladysmith? That is a question which 7
10 one can answer. Even an intelligent a
pinion is impossible, in the absence of in c
concerning Sir George Whites d