The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-23
THE SITUATION IN NATAL.

Gen. Warren's operations against the Bocr
right have apparently failed 50 Tar to accom-
plish their object. MS Lon on telegrnins de-
spatched at 2:30 L. NJ. yesterday make no men-
ton Of any renewal OF the iglting or OF what
was the position Of the opposing forces.
The fighting on Saturday left the british
bivouackel on q line about three miles in all
vance Of their original position, while the
lighting on Sunday ended not more than u
thousand yards IN advance OF where they
had bivouacked the sprcvious night with
out having produced any substantial. re-
suit. The reports OF the correspondents
Is vary considerably in detail. and II
not yet exactly clear where the positions
which the British are aiming for are situated.
TIT most likely conjecture is that they lie be-
tween the loop Of the Tugela. occupied by
Gen. Iyttelton's brigade. and the Nanterspruit
10 the westward. and that the Beers occupy
tho southwestern slopes OF the plateau
on which they are, 1t is up these
slopes that tho British are fighting their way
with so much difficulty, and against the Beers
tactics. which seem 10 have some resemblance
to tho old Zulu plan Of cnyeloping the flank OF
the attacking force while apparently ceding in
the centre. There appears TO have been some
thing VI ths kind on Sunday.
There is some obsCurity as to exactly what
part Lord Dunionald's cavalry is PLAYING
since its accidental encounter with a smah
Boer force near Acton Homes. 1t was last de-
scribed as being securely established on the
roads leading to the three southern passes
OF the Drakensberg, but there Is reason
to believe that these are now held
by the Beers in sufficient force to secure them
against a British coup de main and that the
IA ,ut,l. .-.-- 4. -.
forcements from some quarter being on their
way that will constitute p danger to the British
left when they move down the passes and
threaten its rear.
The stubbornncss OF the Bocr resistance has.
evidently upset the British plans, which did
not contemplate so many days being occupied
with so comparatively small q result. The alb
sence Of the Boer artillery. or at least its
silence, appears to puzzle the British, who find
the Beers relying almost entirely on their rifles
to oppose a numerous infantry supported bv a
powerful artillery using the most modern Of
explosive shells. That the British had made
so little progress IN to Sunday night with tho
material advantages so much in their favor. is
n high tribute 10 the tactical ability OF the
Boer commanders and TO the fighting quality
Of what the Pretoria official dispatches now
SB'hh VI do nv l'bclhl VI iN'Iubil'ill lIObIlS,
which seems to improve with their increasing
experience.
The delay In tho relief Of Iadysmith must be
disheartening both to the ~hcleaguered garri-
son and to the men who are fighting their way
to II, while it at the same time Increases the
anxiety Of the General commanding. Butler.
who is responsible for the plan Of operations,
Every days delay adds to the difficulty Of keep
ing IN the supplies necessary to the main
tcnance OF so many men and animals as are
now across the Tugcla, the train Of wagons
that accompanied the column when II started
out having been over six miles long. The
keeping up the supply If artillery and infantry
ammunition must also be a serious tax on the
transport service.
1t is stated that the BoerI are terrifying po-
sitions on the Biggarsberg Mountains between
Iadysmith and Glencoe as a precautionary
measure in the event Of their having to fall
back from before Ladysmith on that side.
II is interesting to note that, in Difference to
public opinion and the recommendations Of
the Peace Conference, the British Government
has decided to abolish the manufacture ofthc
dun dun bullet and has changed the service
bullet from Mark v. which expands on impact.
to Mark H., which is smooth and sol Il through
out and is practically devoid Of the stop
ping qualities for which the dun DUN
was so highly esteemed. 1t is said. however.
that this change in the British service bullet
will not have any immediate effect in the pres
ent war. Besides the output from Woolwich
Arsenal, which is about two millions a week,
large orders have been given to three British
firms for supplies Of Mark ii.