The times., 1899-11-13
MoNDAY. NovEMBER 18. lsgg
The south African War.

The south African War.
Unless something Of serious and de-
cisiye character, Of which we are igno-
rant. has occurred in Natal, the war situ-
alton in that colony is steadily developing
In the direction Of 3 military crisis which,
when 81 reaches its climax. viii be nearly
certain TO exert an important If not 8
dominating influence over the after his
Jory OF the struggle It is no simple prob
lem in strategy or tactics that Sir Redyers
Butler and Sir George White have to solve.
although the contrary seems to be the
view Of some military writers. There are
complications beyond the mere urgency and
difficulty Of getting endorsements and
artillery 10 Durham, and thence TO the
Tugela River, that render the work ardu-
ors and perhaps desperate, and which do
not seem TO receive much attention from
some of the long distance critics.
According 10 cur latest information,
Brigadier General Wolfe-M Murray has about
four thousand men at or near Estc0urt.
We have been unable to ascertain his
strength in guns, but as yet ii is prob
ably nor important He is. 10 all intents
and purposes, hung up in the air until
he oan De re-enforced. That possibility is
qualified for the present by two considera-
tions. namely. time and the probable move
raents Of the enemy. As to the first it
Is now estimated at the War once in
IoHdon that the first diyision-ten thou
sand men-of the special corps d'armee.
under Lord Methuen. viii be unable TO de-
bark Al Durham and advance as far as Est
ccrJ before the tweDty-sixth OF the present
month. without any extraneous circum-
stance Of a menaeing nature that delay
alone might prove fatal TO the defence Of
I-adysmith, since it must be remembered
that the garrison Of that place is small
compared with the forces investing il;
and even allowing equality OF artillery
and ammunition between the combatants.
vye should remember that the conditions
under which Whites nine thousand troops
must Be fighting against three times that
number being necessarily compelled to
take The offensive al frequent intervals
and with every effective unit no doubt con
stanuy under arms, the day win surely
come when The defenders viii be worn
out with ceaseless fatigue and excitement,
dead on their feet. and no longer able
10 continue the struggle Among other
things this renders the question Of re-
lief an extremely anxious one.
Considerable optimism is expressed by
the British military authorities as to Sir
George staying powers The official opin-
Ion may OF may not be entirely frank. but
IS reported 1t is that he can easily hold
out Tor two or three weeks, If he is care
ful 10 stick TO his entrenchments and
hgh- strictly on the defensive. Whether
or not that plan Of action in its complete
technical sense is open to him, as he is
situated. is matter Of which he is more
competent 10 judge than trans oceanic com
meuJatCrs on his operations But. assum-
ing his ability to hold the Beers occupied
and In check at Ladysmith until the time
set for re-enf0rcements to appear at Est
cort. there may be distinct lion in the
path Of their movement that far even
which is worth a thought.
General Joubert. or his strsteei.aI ad-
Flsers. would not be apt 10 forget the lact
tAat British achievements were soon
10 reach Durham, or that a strong division
Of them il allowed 10 reach the Boer. posi-
lion IN the hills beyond Colenso. would
put different face on the situation in
northern Natal In this connection il
Hiil be noted that Joubert has rcfrained
from destroying the Bulwer Bridge over
the TLgela al CoIenso. In London this
policy is referred 10 confidence in his
ability 20 take Ladysmith and move to
rEs
AethueH can get there. 1t may also mean
that he hopes TO strike Pietermaritzburg
with The column for many days reported
Is gathering north OF that point, in ad-
vance OF Methuen's arrival, and rely upon
s. to destroy the Natal capital, fan back
up the railway. Wrccking il behind. and
cleaning out Wolfe-A Murray at Estc0urt.
join the besiegers north OF Coleaso for
a crushing onslaught upon Ladysmith
II the menace 10 Fietermaritzburg is as
serious as it seems 20 be thought. the
chances are that Wolfe Murray VII have
70 retire from Estercourt and move 10 + s
defence. There IS considerable mystery
involving the designs and resources Of
the enemy iu southern Natal Durham
tCo. is regarded as threatened for
naval brigade with artillery has been
landed from the British squadron to pro
Iect the city How much ground there
may be for fearing an attack in this quar-
Ter 81 is quite impossible 10 say. Our
Information, like that Of the British War
once apparently Is all at sea concerning
the total strength Of The Dutch allies in
the field. and the distribution Of their
forces. Considering that according to gen
orally accepted statements they have
twenty thousand besieging Lady
smith. four thousand IN front OF Kimberley.
two thousand or more at Mafeklng and
four thousand near the Orange River il
Cape Colony-a total OF thirty seven
thousand men-it is hard 20 estimate
what number they might have 10 spare
for operations against Pietermaritzbure
and Durham. Bur there is no doubt thai