Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-03
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Probability That Further Fighting vii
Take Place Within a Few DAYS.


Though there have been columns and
columns of kilograms from South Afri.
ca since the disastrous defeat of Gen
eral Butler at Tugela river; there has
been but little news of additional fight
ing, and not u great deal to indicate
clearly the general situation.
According TO all published reports,
General Methuen is still in camp on
the Modder river, some Is miles south
of Kimberly, and in photographic COM
muuication with that town; but with
the Boer army that recently repulsed
him, still in his front. Generals Gotta
ere and French are at a standstill on
the border of the Orange Free State,
and General Butler is still on the
wrong side of the Tugela river with
the main force of Beers between him
and the relief of General White in
Ladysmilh.
General Methuen is reported to have
been engaged since his battle in ell.
trenching his position 50 as to make it
impregnable against attack, and in.
stead of attempting to attack him the
Beers have merely been terracing the
hills and arranging barbed wire entan'
clements against his further advance.
Generals French and Gotacre are rath-
er more at liberty than is General Me-
thuen, in that the armies which oppose
them are not so strong in proportion ;
but still they are unable to advance
because of the hills which the Beers
can make so hot little further on.
Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking
are all holding out stubbornly, the
beleaguered forces making occasional
sorties more or less successful to their
immediate objects. For instance, one
sortie might be made to capture or
dismount gun that is doing especial
damage and another to check the ex-
tension of outposts that are becoming
uncomfortably close. Each of these
movements is attended by greater or
lesser number of casualties on both
sides; but comparatively speaking
they are not of especial interest.
The next important move, it is
thought, will be made by General Bull
Ter. There is feeling that not only
this commander but his men also, are
chafing severely under the check they
received, and the general is anxious to
do something to retrieve his reputa-
ton. AS to whether he has been
strongly REINFORCED since the battle is
not known; but there is every reason
to believe that the Beers have not
only been putting in the time strength
eniug their Notifications but have
been doing everything possible to per-
feet their plans for meeting the next
attack. The chances of success for
the Beers ought to be greater in the
next battle than in the last. At any
rate the British, to win, will have to
do considerably more stubborn fighting
than they bave ever done up to this
time.
The feeling few weeks ago was
quite general that the British must
inevitably win in the long run. This
feeling is based on the knowledge Of
the British resources in men and mon
ey and their historic reputation for
stubborn courage and perseverance.
The most general opinion as to the
ultimate result is unchanged; but quite
a number are beginning to believe that
the outcome is not so certain even in
the long run. The natural strength of
the Boer positions is something unus-
ual, and the Beers seem to be as stub
born as the British. TO many the
task of driving the Beers from their
fortresses is beginning to look like an
mpossibility, and even the British are
unable to accomplish impossibilities.
The following Associated Press dis
patch of yesterday morning from Lon
Ion summarizes the situation as it was
understood in that city at that time
The success of General French in
Irving the Beers from Colesburg has
shot a welcome ray of light through
he gloom of the campaign in South
Africa. Everywhere it is commented
Ipon as an example of sound tactics
md as an illustration of what may be
lone when the right methods are en-
,loyed with the Beers. The govern
nent is urged to take the lesson to
leart and to see that no stone is left
lnturned in the endeavor to get the
argest possible forces of cavalry and
mounted infantry to the front.
Now that General French has the
Beers on the run the hCpe is expressed i