The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-04
GENERAL sITUATION IN SOUTH
AFRICA.

WIN tutfti . no AUTHORITATIVE
that Gen. Butler Is engaged In a third enort to
pierce the Boer limo investing L.adysmith. there
Is every probability that some movement look
ing 10 that end IL In progress. The activity
reported among the Beers and Gen, Joubert's
movements are sufficient indication that they
have been preparing for ZONE ma effort Of
resistance against attack they saw impending.
What plan OF attack Gen. Butler Ia executine or
Ia about 10 carry out remains to be seen, but
whatever II Is the British public must be pre-
pared for a heavy bill OF costs. for during the
weeks OF preparation they have had It Is UNI
derstood that the Beers have scanned every
ridge and hill with intrenchments looking
toward and from Ladysmith. Having failed In
both frontal and banking movements, the
probability on this occasion IL that Gen.
Butler will concentrate his efforts on n mar
row front with strong thanking protection IN
order to drive through ike a wedge on
the line no has determined on as the most
favorable for the purpose. That he will have
TO make sacrifices goes without saying. Tor IN
the words of old Marshal Pellssier. when the
list OF the French losses at the storming Of the
MalakhofY Was presented 10 him. omelettes
cannot be made without breaking eggs, But
there Is SO much at stake beyond the mere
question OF relieving Ladysmith that hesita-
tion on that score Is now out Of the question.
Success or defeat in tho present effort IL GO
ing to give their auietus, or vitality. to many
questions now slumLering or In allowance not
only in South Africa but in other parts OF the
world As well. Gen, Butler Il therefore bound
70 succeed II success is attainable. The ques-
ton ia whether the relief alone OF Ialysmith
will be ANYTHING more than u moral defeat
for the Beers. and whether In tho end
IL may not be an advantage 10 them to
have the besieglng forces released for other
and more important work elsewhere, The
British have aprarently begun using Lulu
TERRITORY to the east Of the Buffalo River for
operations against the Boer left. and II they
arc In any force the movement is a serious
menace to the Bocr line of retreat from Natal
by way of Lang's Mex The Beers have, how
ever, proved themselves 80 resourceful and con-
ldcnt that II they do not at once retire from
Ladysmith il Is because they feel them
selves capable Of holding out against all the
odds and mannuvres Of the British Generals.
Their greatest danger Is that one % the Drak-
ensbern passes may fall into the hands OF the
British; in that case the sooner they are OUT OF
Natal the better for the safety OF Pretoria.
The other danger point is Norya,s Pont.
There IL now the possibility that the united
forcas NJ Cans Gntacrs and kelly-Kenny
and Col Drahant may succeed in ousting the
Ro.rs lrom Stormberp and pushing them
hocv across the Orange River at Aliwal
North onl Bethulle So long a. the Beers
c,n hold Con French south of the Orange
piyor ,ba ~nosi,ion Womb not be- 80 bad.
hr, ~ A.. Thar. il ransom 70 balieye. there
win ba soma r,ovemrnt should lie made from
cha Noddar Rivar u p some ~ tho ~stat,ons bo-
,yvoen n and tho Or,nUe River into the Free
STATE tho Froo Stat. forces would have to re-
,rsot without delsv IN the north. fortunate IL
mir lin. n, retreat wore not cut of. II Is
A.. . ,nJloian, mounted