The evening times., 1900-03-19

The most important news item from
South Africa today is contained in tie
dispatches announcing Lord Methueu' 3
successful seizure of the bridge over the
Vaal at Fourteen Streams. and the close
approach OF Colonel PIumer to Mafeking
from the north The belief iu London IS
that the garrison will be relieved before
many days. It is by no means out OF its
troubles as yet. Should Plumer manage
TO connect il is not probable that his force
of mounted irregUiars would De able to
carry in any quantity OF supplies To Baden
PCWelTs more than half-starved men.
Plumer has been moving a long distance
without any base, and his ability TO break
through the Boer Gordon is open to much
doubt. as he has nothing in the way Of
artillery but few field guns Of ligut
oslibre, if he has even that.
The main hope Of Mafeking's defenders
would seem to lie in the column which
is moving north from Kimberley. 1t has
always been expected that the Beers would
make a determined stand at Fourteen
Streams but at that point they do not ap-
pear to have been in heavy force. The
distance to the British objective, and the
advance of the relieving column is subject
to much hindranee for the remainder OF
the way. The strategic value Of Mafe-
king as a base for a turning movement
against Johannesburg and Pretoria justi-
hes the theory that whatever troops Jou-
bert has been able to spare or raise in
The district, have been sent to contest
the ground. Bar these may not be many
II is certain that Lord Roberts considers
the position desirable enough 10 send
strong column 10 take it. Whether or not
the garrison will be able. to hold out until
its arrival is still an open and serious
question. On March 10 tbe beieaguered
British were rNagcvd tc quarter rations
and the bUsr trenches had been driven
hume within Baden-P -Powelrs first line OF
defence. These considerations are any
thing but encouraging to the hope that the
slow march OF heavy force Of infantry
will be ended in time to do any good.
That Mafeking viii be taken when II
reaches that town does not now apDear
open 10 doubt: but Baden Powell and his
companions might be in prison a Preto-
ria before the hundred and fifty miles
yet to be traversed could be overcome
The anxiety of Kruger and Joubert to
get Lord Salisbury's son, Lord Edward
Cecil, and several other English officers
of high social distinction, into their hands
may probably render the Boer attempt to
capture Mafeking before the arrival of
succOr much more desperate thar It
would otherwise be. The new disposition
Of the British prisoners at Pretoria is
significantly sinister in it's apparent mo-
tive. They have been taken from the
town and laagered at the foot of a ridge
which it is assumed will be exposed to the
shell fire Of their friends when the siege
begins. The addition OF Lord Edward Ce-
ell. Captain Fitzclarence and Cavend .. =
Rentinck 10 the number thus 10 be made
targets for Lord Roberts guns would he
considered excellent tactics by the Boz
council OF war.
In general way the Dutch cause seems
to be falling in pieces. The Free Slater
II We may fully credit reports have about
thrown up the sponge. They are eurrep-
dering everywhere and accepting protec-
tion under Lord Roberts recent proclama-
tion. As POle-CarCw has found it feasible
10 return TO Bloemfonteiu from Nor,,als
Pont. it would appear that the country be-
tween the capital and the Orange River is
clear OF hostile forces. If the commando
opposing Brabant at AliWaI North has
not capitulated already it VIII no doubt