The evening times., 1900-02-03
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION.
The settled opinion in London today is
that General Butler has renewed MS al
tempt &c, relieve Ladysmith, and Is 1ght-
ing. TIL military writer of the Leader
who has generally been in clcse ogree-
ment with the views of this journal in
conneeti' with military operations in
South frica this morning adopts the
theory suggested several days ago,
that Blu Ter is trying 70 divide the Boer
forces inFhis front. by pushing cut his cen
tire as Eedge toward Dewdrop. The cen
Gorship s. strict and nothing definite can
be learned; but il is highly probable ahat
an engagement is in progress today.
There are circumstances and indications
which seem to be encouraging to British
hopes in Natal. In the first place. if it be
true as stated in English official circles
that of the two hundred and thirteen thou
sand troops now in South Africa, seventy
Thousand have not been under fire the
chances re that Buffers army is stronger
than coz d have been supposed before the
fight at Spion Kop.
This probability developed when. after
Warren's division was compelled to retire
behind the Tugela River badly battered
General Joubert failed Immediately TO
strike Buffers right at Cheveley. with
view to cutting his communications 1t
may be assumed that the British right was
too strong or the Boer general would not
have ignored SO obvious a tactical ad-
venture. Evidently it was contemplated.
fer after SpioH Kop, the Beers were seen
sNlrming down the Dewdrop Road toward
Colenso They are apparently beginning
10 be bothered by superiority of numbers,
the one means by which the British com
manders can hope to overcome the advan-
tage of their great moblity-thrOugh keep
ing them engaged simultaneously at widely
separated points
As far as we can make deductions from
fragmentary intelligence. Butler seems to
have succeeded in alternating JoubePt
long line. 1t appears that Dundonald has
been scouting between Bethany and Acton
Homes and has encountered slight opposi-
tion. What this may mean cannot be
certain. but there is suggestiyeness in the
report that the scouts OF British flying
column have been met in the north NOV
ing from Zululand and approaching Nry-
held on the road west To Laing's Mex.
To meet this danger il Is said that troops
have been Withdrawn hurriedly from the
investment of Iadysmith and sent to re-
enforce the Boer garrison al Nryheid
What the flying column in question may
amount 10 is quite eonjeCturaL For more
than two weeks there have been vague
hints that Butler had sent a force around
by Zululaud to get in Jouberts rear to-
ward the Neck OF Natal. hut they have
been too indefinite for serious considera-
ton \ movement Of this kind IL made in
any considerable force would naturally /
draw materially upon the Boer Strength /
around I-adysmith. Joubert could I'LL az /
ford to permit the cutting of his communi- /
cations with the Transvaal and would be
compelled to detach men to prevent it. !
sufficient in number perhaps to weaken |
his fghtingz power between Colenso and !
Acton Homes The dispatches state that !
at latest accounts the Beers were concen- |
trating opposite Zwarts Kop and Mount /
Alice showing that they expected a Brit
ism attack from the centre
ProDably there will not be any extended !
movements elsewhere in advance of the /
more or less decisive engagement which is |
in progress or will be. on Buffers front. |
The activity which is being displayed in |
re enforcing the troops in Northern Cape !
Colony. the flying visit OF General French /
10 Cape Town the assignment of Tucker /
and his division 20 Modder Ryer-all !
these things point TO the early opening OF /,
a campaign from the west. As We under
stand il, Tucker is to supeIsede Lord Me |
thueu. and. with his own force added 10 .
that now ia front of Magarsfontein. should !
have NOT less than twenty-five thousand !
men with which TO attack the Beers. and |
Eject a turn by Jacobsdal That succeed |
irg the relief OF Kimberley would be easy, |
and with Kimberley as base. operations |
against Bleemfontein would be more prem !
ising than if conducted across the very |
difficult country along the Orange River. !
French and Gatacre are preparing for /
business The former is said to have had /
a fight. and taken many prisoners. but !
the report needs confederation. AltCgett- !
er we should say that the 81 ua tiou !
throughout the theatre OF war is one tia, /
ought to produce very interesting devel- |
and very soon.