The sun., 1900-02-02
THE SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

While there Is nothing improbable In the re-
port published on the authority OF London
journal. that Gen. Butler has again crossed the
Tugeln aud engaged tho Beers. the story can
not DO accepted without confirmation from
more authorized source.
Tho occupation OF Prieskn on tho most
southerly bend Of the Orange River has no
important bearing In the present phase OF the
campaign II has been probably made by
small iorce. and In consequences OF the uis-
affected state OF tho district, which was
placed under martial law a short time ago.
The news from MaiokIng Is unimportant as
tho fate OF that place will be settled
by the issue Of events In other directions. Az
Kimberley tho Beers seem becoming more
active. but whatever damage may be done by
their shells 10 buildings II does not appear to
bring the garrison to the point Of surrender.
The only way In which tho place can be
captured Is by an assault. and tho Beers
are not In position 10 make tho
sacrifice which II would entail its capit-
nation from famine before relief Is still
unlikely. IA though n portion OF the population
Is on short rations since some time back. there
Is understood to be sufficient supply OF
food for the fighting population for some time
longer.
OF what Is going on at the really important
points OF operations there Is not word, but
Lord Kitchener Is said TO be organizing and
planning for the move through the Free State
while awaiting the arrival OF the Cavalry
Brigade and other reenforcements about leav-
ing England
The very favorable news from Ladysmith re-
garding the health OF the garrison and the
condition Of the horses. which was given out
on Wednesday, Is rather contradicted by a
despatch from the Bocr Headquarters on the
Modder Spruit. east Of Ladysmith. saying that
many funerals are noticed daily Ia the British
lines from the Boer points Of observation. Tho
same despatch. which Is dated Tuesday. states
that Gen, Joubert had left for the Upper 1u-
gela. which indicates that his attention is still
given to that point
In England, the invitation Of the Government
to the people to come forward and volunteer
for service in South Africa is not mot with the
enthusiasm anticipated. Less than three
thousand Of the 10000 mounted volunteers
called for have been enrolled. and Ia one ease a
corps that had been formed disbanded on
account OF the general mismanagemcnt
OF the administrative stan. Tho serious
losses In the corps OF officers since the
beginning OF the war have led to the sugGes-
tlOn ty LOrl E0DertS that the JUNIOR grades
should be filed by promotions from the ranks
Of non commissioned officers This has not
been accepted by the War ONCE. it being
against tho traditions Of the British Army to
allow men from the ranks to rise into the
officers grades except under very ex-
ceptional circumstances Gen Hector Macdon-
aid. who has Just assumed command
OF the late Gen. Wauchope's brigade at the
Moddor River. 10 one OF only three or four
Generals who have risen from the ranks In
the British Army in its later history. There
Is also great friction between the regulars and
the volunteer organ nizations already in the field,
arising out Of the professional Jealousy of the
former: and there are many complaints
from tho officers and members Of
the Natal and Cape Colony volunteer
corps OF their treatment by the regular
stan. All which shows the necessity for some
strong hand to be charged with the duty Of
recognizing the British Army. The present
political conditions in England. however,
render It unlikely that anything more than
tinkering with the present system or want Of
system will be permitted by the party in power.