New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-16

the railway bridge, but he is not a general whom
EULER is likely to select for the main attack but
rather was the leader of a strong fent. which
will divert the enemys attention from a de-
cisive turning movement. Three other brigades
are included In Clery's Observation-Disclosures s.
Lyttleton's and Hart's-but the main portion
OF the latter may be required for guarding COM
munications. Weenen is occupied strongly by
British troops and this points to a crossing OF
the Tugela below Colenso, especially II a mill
tary road has been constructed during the last
ten days to Estcourt. A turning movement
may be made above Colenso and the troops will,
in that case. march directly from Frere. Those
who know how high an opinion General Butler
has Of Hildyard's ability believe that the turn
ing movement will be made wherever he Is
stationed, whether above or below Colenso. and
that a strong feint attack will be conducted at
the other end, accompanied by vigorous bonn
bardment Of the enemys central position by
howitzers and navy guns. The Dutch clearly
expect a fanlling movement for they have had
strong commands in the districts above and
below Coenso
The censorship Is screwed up to It's tlghtest
turn. which OF itself Is proof that the crisis OF
the war has come
The news from Kimberley and Mafeking is
still reassuring. each garrison remaining In fine
fighting form.
The story Of Magersfontein is retold every
morning by special correspondents, who are
limited to three hundred words daily. But
fresh details do not alter the essential character
OF the repulse as a battle lost through an am
buscade in the dark General Cronjes official
IL wifi he
an exaggeraton Of the British losses to two
thousand. But the Central News and other
agencies not to he outdone in efforts OF imagi-
nation. are estimating the Boer losses at
equal number.
Some military writer's have repented their
earlier ardor to secure the withdrawal OF Me-
thuens force TO The Orange River, and
suming that Sir Charles Warren will take
considerable portion Of the Fifth Division to
Modder River, and then supersede Methuen in
command. This is certainly premature, even II
rumors Of the renewal Of the attack by Me-
thuen are unfounded. 1t is unsafe to assume
that Methuens army Is incapacitated for per-
severing in the attempt to relieve Kimberley.
The British armies have not been in the habit
Of getting within twenty-five miles OF a be-
leaguered garrison and then abandoning it be-
cause single repulse has followed three VIC
tories
Colonel Hector Macdonald, the hero Of ON
durman. has been ordered from India to take
the place Of General Wauchope commander of
the Highlanders. There could be finer tribute
to Wauchope's memory.
General Butler will be embarrassed by the
question Of the seniority OF lieutenant generals
unless he sends to the rear those who fail In
their work. Generals White and Forester
Walker now head the list followed by Generals
Warren. Methuen, Clery, Gatacre and French In
the order named. Three more division COM
manders are selected, one OF them General
Tucker. from India. The Duke of Connaught
is reported TO be most eager to go. General
Warren will naturally displace either Gatacre or
Methuen when his division is cnce on shore.
The War Office will send out to-day to-
morrow a considerable nort'nr ~ the sixth
Division. and is actively rnobii2.ns cne.Sseventh
Division and arranging for Eighth. Both
artillery and cavalry supports will be strength
ened, and the Eighth will have an unusual num-
Der of infantry battalions. BY these arrange
ments the present strength Of the field force
and army CORPS now on the ground will be in
creased by more than fifty thousand men. The
dispatch Of these troops will nearly strip Great
Britain of regular army and reserves. and gar
rson work here and in Ireland will mainly be
Intrusted 10 militia battalions I. N f.