The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-19
TEE SOUTH AFRICAN wan.

The news OF tho last twenty-four hours Is
mostly made up OF belated dispatches from
both the British and Boer sides. The most
important item as regards the campaign In
Natal Ia the official announcement from Pre-
toria that the Bulwer railway bridge across the
Tugela river at Colenso was totally DESTROYED
last Wednesday. BY this. either retreat or ad-
vance ore cut Off for tho British. and the
transport for the relieving force. whenever 1t
moves. will have to be by baggage animals.
presenting long drawn out trains liable
to continual interruption 10y the Beers.
especially In the rougher country. South OF
tho Tugela the Beers appear to be in consider
able force in scattered detnchments continu-
ally on the move. demonstrating and recon-
nothing the country between the Tugela and
Moot Hills behind Estcourt. near where. at
EnnF rsdale. a strong body with several field
guns IL reported to have taken IN n position.
while another was posted at Wecnen covering
the passage OF tho Tugela by the Ladysmith
road from Estcourt. Another force 10 reported
on the main road going west from Estcourt to-
ward the Basuto Hills and the south western
passes OF the Drakensberg.
North OF the Tugola the Helpmak aar pass on
the Greytown- Dundee road ls held by a strong
force with artillery This place was an old
Boer stronghold In the days when they occu-
pied Natal before the last trek into the Trans
wal. The object OF the occupation OF Help
makanr Ia to guard the flank OF a possible
retreat before an advancing British force from
south Of the Tugela; Il also holds In observa-
ton the passage OF the Buffalo river at Rorke's
! Drift. the scene OF the great fight with the
Zulus In 1877
At Ladysmith the position appears to be uu-
changed. the garrison being reported in good
spirits and supplies still ample. There have
a
have not been substantlated. The lombard
ment continues internationally. but apparently
with little effect. while the British garrison
seems to be economzing both its small arm
and artillery ammunition. Sorties have been
made without result and the Beers tenaciously
maintain their positions.
Along the south side OF the Orange River the
Beers are actively patrolling the country and
Aliwal North has been occupied. IL and the
ighboring district being declared annexed to
tho Orange Free State The pass over the
Storm Berg Mountains between Molteno and
Sterkstrom has also been occupied. thus cut
ting of direct communication with the north
beyond Queenstown on the East London line
Gen. Lord Methuen Is said to have left Cape
Town for the Orange River. which probably
means Hopetown. "a there is no British force
eastward OF the Cape Town Kimberley rail-
way. 1t Ia from there that the onward move to
Kimberley Ia being organized.
There are now arrived In South Africa %. 600
OF the first corps OF Gen. Buffers army. but
they have been 80 dispersed in Natal and Cape
Colony that no general advance can be made
until the arrival OF the troops composing the
second corps. and the drafts to hll up the losses
incurred since the beginning Of the campaign.
The want Of a sufficient cavalry force Is
severely felt on the British side and initiates
against q vigorous offensive.
The employment OF the Bamangwatos under
Khama by Col. Plummer In Rhodesia against
the Beers. is likely to seriously complicate
matters. \ large section OF the Basutos are
said to be preparing TO rise against the British.
while the Pondos OF Pondoland. about midway
between East London and Durham on the cas-.
coast, are reported preparing TO rise against
the white settlers. The natives In Zululand
are also saidto be becoming unruly and threat
ening the whites. This perhaps Is the most
serious news OF the moment. and may become
an important factor In the general result OF the
war. The calling out OF the, volunteers In
some OF the Cape Colony districts Is regarded
| as intended to test the sentiment OF the Dutch
Afrikanders. and their response is awaited with
great interest.