The evening times., 1900-02-06
THE NEWS FROM NATAL.

Although London believes that Butler is
fighting on the Tugela line. it is doubtful
if any serious engagement had occurred
two days ago as the European agencies
heretofore always informed of military
events In South Africa in advance of the
British public. hive not even started
/ rumor to indicat' that any important
movement has taken place in Natal. The
| censorship is absolute and there is evident
agreement between the War Office and the
field commanders that nothing shall be
given out prematurely, or until il suits the
interests of the authorities.
There are strong indications that some
thing effective IS about to be attempted
in the Western field. Lord Roberts has
probably been able to materially strengthen
his forces in Northern Cape Colony, and
a movement OF concentration Of which
there have been hints previously. nov ap-
pears 10 be aenergetically under way.
French is reported to have the Beers at
Colesberg practically surrounded lsrge
( force Of infantry has gone from Naauw
/ Poort, Rensburg, and Hanover Road, TO
seize the railway bridge at Norval's POnt
French's column probably has been re-en-
forced by Major General Chermside's
( brigade. Eatacre, ii is assumed by mill
iary critics in London. is making a con-
forming movement from Steynsburg toward
Bethulie Bridge. Kelly -Kcnney should be
moving up between, and the Colonial Osvis-
ion az Queenstown, under Major General
Brabant was reported as under orders TO
move to tn, north today All signs point
To a COnverging movement b. Norvai's 5
I Pont and Bethulie on Springfontein at the
salient OF the strategic quadrilaterai ad-
vance base for operations against the Frge
State.
Springfontein being reached. the inyad
ing column would be about equi-distant
from Jacobsdal TO the northwest and
Bloemfontein to the northeast-say ninety
miles. Methuen, al Modder River. re-cn-
forced by fuckers division. should be able
. 10 flank the Beers at Jacobsdal and. reliey-
ing Kimberley. support the movement from
, SpringfOTtein making Kimberley a base
for future operations should Roberts pre-
liminary plans work out successfully.
There is some reason for expecting simul-
taneOus movements within a few days ali
the way from Bethulie up 10 Magarsfon-
tein. Methuea Is reported as sending his
wounded and invalided south which por-
tends immediate activity. When he hour
strikes for the advance We shall probably
hear that Butler has opened the final
fight for The relief Of Ladysmith. Unless
the Beers have d great many more men
under arms than anybody has allowed
them the developments in the west ought
TO make il difficult for them 10 maintain
their lines around Ladysmith, without
abandoning the Orange Free State TO its
fate. Under such conditions il might be
fair 70 presume that the Free State com
msndos in Natal would demand the right
% withdraw and protect their own terrific
ry from invasion. such increment would
be highly injurious 10 General Joubert's .
position, and might give Butler a double
chance at him while il was making II the
British general is strong enough he may
have succeeded in throwing a considerable
/ force around the Boer righ- beyond Actoa
Homes which might be able to intercept
retreat OF Free St3ters by Tintwa and
. Van Reenens passes. perhaps assisted by
a sortie from Ladysmth. but that is a
/ mere possibility. The only thing which
seems certain is that comprehensive
movement Of some kind. practically in
volying the whole theatre Of war, appears
20 be Ia course Of incubation. Il may OF
may not be Buffers first play. and he may
or may not be hard al IL right now.