POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 October 1901, Page 4

POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

A Hopeful View of the War,

A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, who takes a keen interest in the South African war, sends us the following communication, in which he gives his opinion that Botha cannot hold out much longer. “ The position of General Botha and his force becomes one of intense interest and assumes tho highest importunes. It is now evident that what may be termed the centre of resistance has shifted to South-eastern Transvaal. For reasons probtbly connected with effectual British cccupation. Botha has for some time located his main forces—which ore very large—below the Drakensburgs ; this practical y implies that he cannot now retirn to the plateau above He has moved for some time in the neighbourhood of Vreyheid, and is now eastward of that position. There seems to be ample British forces north and tooth of him, and the Drakensbergs hold him on the west. He has been surrounded, but has escaped the inner cordon. In ony case, our troops soem capable of holding him within narrow limits. To escape, he must move parallel with tho sea. It is, of course, possible that he may enter the native State of Swaziland and escape to neutral Portuguese territory. On the whole, we think that the outlook is favourable. Without renewing his stores, Botha cannot hold out in that country, and in a mountainous district tho facilities for slipping away after De Wet’s manner are uot so great as in the plains. It is true that such a force may disband and scatter, but in such case many would be captured by the successive cordons. The attack on Forts Italia and Prospect locked Ike a desperate attempt to break out of the toils, audit failed completily. I have a strong impression that the next few weeks will exhibit developments which will be some reward for the untold exertions of our troops in that quarter.”