New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
VIEWS OF A NEWSPAPER EXPERT.


VIEWS OF A NEWSPAPER EXPERT.
EPENsER WILKINSON ON THE PROBABLE
OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BUTLER.
london, Feb 4.-Spenser wilkinson writes the
following review of the situation in South Africa
for The Associated Press at midnight:
1t is morally impossible for Buffers army, so
long there is any fight left in it, to sit still
while Sir George White is invested in Lady
smith. Better than that would be to lose ten
thousand men in an attempt at relief Accord
ingiy IL is probable that General Butler will try
again, and, indeed that he is now on the move
Fighting.
AS he has kept General Lyttletons brigade
north of the river the probability is that his
next move will be an advance on Lyttleton's
right He would hardly go to Lyttleton's left
because that would only lead to fresh attack
Of Spon Kop and the range of which IT is
part. He would not go to the east of Colenso
except with his whole force less Bartons bri-
gade The retention of Lyttleton's brigade at
PotgieteT's Drift may, therefore, be taken
proof that the new move will not be to the east
OF Colenso.
East of Potgieter's there are several drifts,
one or two Of which General Buffers guns COM
n1and and he can. therefore cross the river, but
the Beers have had ample time 10 prepare
position beyond the river.
4 frontal attack would as usual, be costly;
but unless the General is prepared for a heavy
less he has little chance of breaking through
the Boer defences.
The right plan would be that adopted by Cen
eral sherman when he pushed back Johnston
from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Sherman first
intrenched along Johnston's front ana then ex-
terded his line to one of the TANKS. BY the time
sherman was ready to move a force around be-
hind his intrenched line to attack Johnston in
the flank and threaten his retreat, the Confed-
crate general usually withdrew. Such tactics
are practicable only with force numerically
superior. We do not know the strength of the
Beers in Natal Mr.. Winston Churchill esti-
mates them at only 10000, of whom 1000
observing Ladysmth. This would give Butler
$4,000 against 10000. and should render possible
something like Sherman's manoeuvre. But there
believe Buffers estimate
of the Boer forces is much higher,
Lord Roberts viii certainly not hurry his move
from the Cape. He will first complete the as
sembling of his forces, which will not all have
arrived for another three weeks Then he will
have transport properly organized and in work
ing order before he will STIR After that he will
probably make q rapid move; but outcry will
induce him TO start until he considers all is
ready
Last weeks report that Mafeking had been
relieved seems to have arisen from Colonel
Plumer's skirmish near Crocodile Pools. The
report came from Boer sources, and this origin
of ii seems to show that the Beers are not san
guine of success in the Northwest They have
probably reduced their forces in that region in
order TO strengthen themselves against General
Methuen and General Butler.
MR. WHITES VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR.
Albany, Feb. 3 (specaD-There seems to be
some effort being made by the Transvaal Re-
public to influence public opinion in the United
States in its favor To-day. for instance, Gov
ernor Roosevelt stated that Montagu White.
the former agent of the Transvaal Republic in
London. was going to visit him this evening at
the Executive Mansion. Governor Roosevelt
added that he did not know the object of Mr..
Whites visit.
TO CARRY SUPPLIES TO CAPE TOWN.
Norfolk. Va. Feb. S.-Supplies and ammunition
for the British Army in the Transvaal will be
transported TO South Africa aboard the steamship
Dominingo de Larrinago formerly a regular liner
between and ClIha Sha lie
Cienfuegos for coal. Her cargo is waiting for her
at New-York, whittier she win sail tomorrow
morning. The vessel. whose commander is Captain
Gibson, of the Royal English Naval Reserves, may
also carry regiment of Canadian troops after Sc
Captain Gibson il naturally retieent on the sub
deal while here and at dinner given by him many
american naval officers and prominent EngHsf
9esloents were present. The event showed much
good feeling.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR WOUNDED BOERS
Al the Morton House headquarters of the New
York committee to aid the South African Republics
the following list Of subscriptions for the aid Of the
sick and wounded within the Boer lines was an
nounced yesterday:
E ]" $500; "A Friend" 500: Edward Van Ness.
500 George Van Hoessn, 500; Abraham Stern
sehed James s. Coleman e s5o Antonio S E zucea
s. joseph J. Kitte @ John GWRaVRS Ssy T T6e9
S a9Ee NJ Banta, Sc F. D.. COuwenhoYen, SIS;
Sh HsPan Eks ata S s2 rh naEsas
Moriarty: $50; George W. Van Sicien slO; Adoiphe
So Bronson Mt 1rrag 81 T Trainor SO So
Sa,,o5 ~ BogeT 80 and J. Geoghegan, SO The
3 Alice Major MeCrystal Henry De Vos Gertrude S
J. Duys. jr John Toomey, Edgar Knickerboefer
and William L. Heermance.
The committee intends taking up a systematic
collection in this and adjoining cities plans for
This work will be perfected this week ~