The evening times., 1900-02-05
=. The Mystery of Natal.

1t is perhaps more than possible that
some of the opinions prevalent in London
as to General Buffers movements since
last Thursday result from confidential
hints dropped by officials connected with
the War Office. At all events the impress
sion is strong in that city that the British
Army is again on the move for the relief
of Ladysmith. But facts are not TO be had
as yet Messages from Spearman's Camp
ostensibly sent thence on Saturday rep
resent the situation in front of Potgieter's
Drift as quiet: but it is not improbable
that the dates of these messages have
been changed to suit the purposes of the
authorities. There would seem to be little
doubt that Dundonald's light brigade has
recrossed the Tugela at one of the fords
unused in recent years which are known
to exist 10 the west OF Tritchard's Drift,
and has been recommending around Acton
Homes and perhaps above that place to-
ward Tintwa. Buffers guns heard in
Lady ysmith on Friday very likely may have
represented an engagement of more or
less consequence beyond the Boer extreme
right. Further than This anything would
be couiectural Clery's division which has
never been satisfactorily accounted for as
a separate entity since the movement from
Frere and Estoourt began. but has been
mixed M with Warren's division in the
reports is doubtless on Buffers left. and
may have moved around by Acton Homes
to support DundOnald.
Tho pF littla
can get would appear to favor the theory
that Buffers force is greater than was
supposed at the time of the Spi0n Kop
fight II considerably greater, then it is
quite possible Thar a second attempt to
turn the Boer right aud crush il from a
position between Acton Homes and the
Ladysmith hills might be successful. This
would be rendered probably feasible by
ability on Buffers part to attack simulta-
neousIy from Zwarts Kop on the centre
and Cheyeley on the right Such tactics
should keep the Boer forces from concen-
trating al one given point as their habit
has been, and might result in victory at
the point of real attack But it does not
follow that the movement by Acton Homes
is necessarily the main one although ii is
as likely as not to prove so 1t is quite
conceivable thai Butler may contemplate
a double barreled battle with the object
of striking hard both from his left and
centre. and developing according to initial
results and the ultimate chances they may
disclose.
The hying column reported near Eryheid
in Northern Natal. is exciting much pro-
fessionaI curiosity. and many comments |
some of them the reverse of intelligent |
For example one of the London writer's |
surmises that Sir George Whites cavalry |
and light artillery may be preparing for /
a sortie TO join this flying column which is 1
at least eighty miles distant from Lady |
smith across about as difficult mountain |
as could be found even in South |
Africa What the column consists of or !
amounts 10 We have not the faintest idea. |
1t is very apt TO be made up considerably /
Of irregular horse and be intrinsically lit /
tie more than scouting force. Still after
it moved west from Zululand and came
within reach of the British military sphere
east of a northeast and southwest line
drawn through Weenen. it might be sub
ject TO support by column moved up |
from that locality; though this is doubt
full, since movement of that kind would |
have been reported 10 Boer headquarters
and something should have been heard of
it.
The English experts are laying a great
ieal of stress upon the argument that the
menace to Joubert's communications rep
resented by the flying column referred TO,
and the pressure which Roberts and Kitch-
sner are eNerting in Northern Cape Colony
and on the Modder River, must have COM
Delled the Beers to withdraw an important
part of their force from the vicinity of La
dysmith. Ii would be hard TO say how
much weight should be accorded to this |
view. There is probably something in it. |
If it has been possible TO increase Buffers |
strength to the extent of ten or fifteen |
thousand men. and Joubert has felt obliged /
to detach even a few thousand, the game /
ought to be in the British generals hands |
The first reliable battle news from the Tu- 1
gela line, it is to be hoped. will furnish
key with which TO unlock the mystery of
the situation.