The evening times., 1900-03-19
The Situntion in South ATrica

The most important news item from
South Africa today is contained il tie
dispatches announcing Lord Methuen 5
successful seizure Of the bridge over the
Taal at Fourteen Streams. and the close
approach of Colonel Plumer to MRfeking
from the north. The belief in London IS
that the garrison will be relieved before
many days. 1t is by no means out Of its
troubles as yet Should Plumer manage
TO connect it is not probable that his force
of mounted irregulars would De able to
carry in ANY quantity OF supplies to Baden
PCWells 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 a few field guns OF lignt
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
place is only about one-quarter of 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-
ies the theory that whatever troops Jou-
bert has been able to spare or raise in
the district, have been sent to contest
the ground Bur these may not be many.
II is certain that Lord Roberts considers
the position desirable enough to send a
strong column 10 take it. Whether or not
the garrison will be able to hold out until
it's arrival is still an open and serious
question. On March 10 The beieaguered
British were reduced tc quarter rations
and the boer trenches had been driven
hume within Baden-Powells first line of
defence. These considerations are any
thing but encouraging to the hope that the
slow march of a heavy force of infantry
will be ended in time to do any good.
That Mafeking VIII be taken when il
reaches that town does not now appear
open TO doubt: but Baden-Powell and his
companions might be in prison at Preto-
ria before the hundred and fifty miles
yet to be trayersed could be overcome
The anxiety of Kruger and Joubert to
get Lord Salisburss 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 than il
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 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 Cavendish-
Bentinck 10 the number thus 10 be made
targets for Lord Roberts guns would be
considered excellent tactics by the Boer
council OF war
In a general way the Dutch cause seems
TO be falling in pieces. The Free Staters
II We may fully credit reports, have about
thrown up the sponge. They are surren-
cering everywhere and accepting Drotec-
tion under Lord Roberts recent proclama-
tion. AS Pole-Carow has found it feasible
10 return 10 Bloemfontein from Norval's
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 Aliwal North has
not capitulated already it will no doubt