NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE military situation has changed very little since we last wrote. One fact, however, seems to be well estab- lished, and is of the very greatest importance. Ladysmith can hold out for another six weeks without difficulty, and probably, at a pinch, for two months. This means that the chief source of danger—i.e., hurry, and the consequent attacks by inadequate forces at moments chosen by necessity and not by forethought—can be avoided. There is no imperative necessity for General Buller to attack next week, or even the week after. He can get up more guns and more men, and, what is of even greater importance, he can collect transport for a wide flanking movement. When the American Military Attache was shown the Plevna that the Boers have created at Colenso, his remark was : "Colonel, was there no way round ? " The answer, of course, is : Yes, but we could not use it because we had not transport enough to form a column which might have to be four days out in a desert.' What is wanted is time to organise a force which can go round. As Ladysmith can hold out for six weeks, there should be no difficulty in doing this.
