The evening times., 1900-01-06
Listening for BuIIer,s Guns

Today London is listening in breathless
suspense Tor news from the Tugela All
last night men sat mp in the military clubs
expecting every minute to hear that Butler
had opened the fight for the relief Of La
dysmiJh. As far as the War Office knew
or would tell, nothing happened. But this
morning there is q hint in the dispatches
from South Africa that serious operations
have begun. 1t may be only that Butler is
maneuyring or feinting preparatory 10
movement in force. The English military
writers are working out his probable tao
teal plan with much elaboration. They
generally agree that he viii clean up The
south bank OF the river before attempting
ing to cross il. This may be true. but not
necessarily. The British right is threatened
by a Commando heavily entrcnChed on In
hlawe mountain. In ordinary circumstances
IL would be assumed that Butler would con-
slider il necessary TO take and occupy the
position before doing anything else. But.
II his own flank is sufficiently protected
20 make a successful assault from Inhlaws
improbable, he might ignore the mountain
for serious purposes and transact business
on the other end Of the line.
The disposition Ci the British forces, as
far as we know or can guess them to be,
seems to favor the probability Of q main at
tack on Jouberts extreme right. For tOpo-
graphical and other reasons. it has always
seemed to us that the chances Of reaching
Ladysmith were better in that direction
than to the east. On the latter side the
country is terribly difficult, abourding in
defensive positions and with narrow passes.
A turning movement from Buffers right,
even if successful at the start. would not
Immediately bring the attacking column in
touch with Ladysmith, while blow at the
Boer right IL successful. would at once
bring Sir George White, his guns. and gar
rison into corporation with the relieving
column.
The extreme length Of the defence line,
compared with the estimated force at Jou-
berts command, is an element of weak
ness which Sir Redvers Butler would natu-
rally take into account in his battle plan
Although it cannot be more than a sur
mise. perhaps the operation OF this factor
may be detected in the concentration Of
Sir Charles Warren's division at Estcourt.
From this point as the war maps show,
there is a main travelled road northwest,
by EhneTsdaIe to Acton Homes, crossing
the Tugela at Zunckle's. which is about
ten miles west OF Springfield the point as
sumeI as the extreme right OF the Boer
line. The distance from Estcourt to
Zunckle's approximately is thirty miles II
Butler could spare a column mobile of. say,
twelve or fifteen thousand men. TO strike
this point beyond Joubert's right. and at
the same time keep the Beers engaged by
gun fire at Colenso, and a feint attack at
Inhlawe. the possibilities would seem to be
in favor Of success, since the farther Bull
Ter can compel his antagonist to extend his
wings the less will be the Boer power of
resistance at intervening points, and the
less JOubert's superior mobility will count
The turn at zunckle's if effected would
enable Bdller to develop the left wing Of
his centre toward Springfield and Zwartz.
which might become quickly untenabIe for
Joubert. with Warren on his right and
rear; and then the British line as reform
ed would extend from Bethany to Chevelev
and close enough to Ladysmith for juno
tion by advance and sortie.
OF course this is merely theory and con-
secture, but the idea is borne out anna.
rently by the movements of Sir Redyers
Butler. preliminary to the advance. Il will
surprise us If he does not attempt a far