The evening times., 1900-01-18
THE NEWS FROM NATAL.

FA---@-
At last the censorship curtain has been
lifted sufficiently to relieve the suspense
which has been hanging over the British
public for a week, and we are allowed to
learn something of the Tugela situation
since Sir Redvers Butler seized Potgieter's
Drift on the eleventh instant. 1t appears
that up to yesterday no general engage
ment had been fought, but the strong
probabilities ara that one is now in
progress.
The character of the British movement
is now made plain and readers will OBJ
serve that it has been in complete agree
ment in generals and details with the
theory and predictions offered by this
journal during the past two weeks. The
British divisions at Estcourt and Frere
moved in the order named on the parallel
roads from those positions leading north
west to the extreme right of the Boer line
at Springfield. 1t is reported that Pot
gieter's Drift and Zwarts ,Kop having been
taken and held, Sir Charles Warren has
crossed the Tugela at Wagon Drift, six
miles west of Potgeter' S Drift, evidently
with an intention to envelope Joubert S
flank and take it in reverse, as suggested
in these columns some days ago. The
bulk of Buffers forces would seem to be
between Colenso and Wagon Drift accord
ing to the dispatches. A body of troops
as large as can be spared for the service
is no doubt waiting for a chance to cross
the Tugela at Colenso itself, and to move
up the Colenso- Dewdrop road.
The news of the advance is calculated
TO give the impression that Sir Redvers
Buffers plan and tactics are all that could
be desired. If Warrens attempt to get
around Jouberts extreme right should sue
ceed glance at the map will show that
the development of Buffers left TO Acton
Homes which would follow, would result
in two British advantages. 1t would bring
the relieving column almost If not quite
in touch with Ladysmith. But, what is
far more important to the immediate OPP
erations, 1t would directly threaten the
Boer lines OF communication with the Or
ange Free State by Van Reenen's and De
Beers passes.
Such a menace should have the effect
to concentrate Joubert's forces for the de-
fence of these outlets, which 1t would be
a hard blow to the Beers TO lose. They
are sources of supply, avenues OF escape
in the event of disaster, and. in British
hands, would permit of a sudden and de-
cisive invasion and occupation OF the Free
State territory, after the relief OF Lady
smith. In view OF these considerations, II
Buffers and Warren's first serious en-
counters with the Beers on the latter
line from Dewdrop to Acton Homes should
result in defeating Joubert's right, ii would
not surprise us 10 see the Beers abandon
Colenso and the siege Of Ladysmith and
move to the defence Of the Drakensberg
passes. which, We may be allowed TO as
sumo. they have made more or less de-
fensible. in anticipation of just such con-
tingency. 1t is fairly probable that were
such movement contemplated the COlenso
part of Jouberts army could move around
to the east and north OF Ladysmith and
form new line in front of the mountains.
the commandos on the west falling back
to It by the Van Reenen and Walkers
Hoek roads. When an intention OF this
kind should be suggested by the situation
at the British left, or otherwise. il might
be Clerys opportunity to cross the Tugela
and attack but if the Beers wanted to
evacuate rather-thsH- fight they would be
too mobile for bin to keep up with. un-
/ less they were Handicapped by determi-
nation to save and move their heavy ar
! tillery.
All conjectures like the foregoing must
/ be accepted as quite dependent upon the
( outcome Of a battle. if not of two battles,
! which have still to be decided. There is
/ not any firm ground upon which to indulge
/ prophecy as yet. We may express the be-
/ lief however, that if Butler and Warren
/ have any luck at ALL the gallant defend
/ ers Of Ladysmith will be released from
/ that trap before many days. Van Rec
mems and De Beers passes are much too
valuable to General Joubert in present cir
] cumstances TO be forgotten because of any
ambition he may have to take the town
before he shall be obliged TO emigrate.