SIEGE OF MAFEKING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3957, 24 January 1900, Page 7

SIEGE OF MAFEKING.

PROSPECTS OF RELIEF. The story that femes from Marking, (hat (he smgc was ••practically raised' inward- the end of November. mn-L he dismissed as another piece of misleading optimism { writes a London military critic). Obviously all that happened was that Cronjo withdrew part of the besiegers to reinforce the Boer commandoes who were gatherin''' to oppose laud Methuen's advance. We fear that the fact that he was able to do so and yet leave a sufficient fores to keep np the blockade of the place only shows that the power of resistance of the plucky garrison has been a good deal diminished in the long siege, so that with a smaller force the Boers can still keep up the blockade. There is, unhappily, reason to he somewhat anxious about the fate of Mafeking. Those who talk lightly of Lord Methuen pushing on at or.co from Kimberley to Colonel Baden-Pow-fll’.s relief do not realise tiie distance Hint 'would have to he covered. In bis advance from the Orange river station to the Moddcr. Lord Methuen marched fifty-three miles, leaving twen-ty-four more to cover before ‘ reaching Kimberley. But from Kimberley to Mafeking the distance is no less than 223 miles, and the railway lias been torn up ar.d bridges and culverts have been destroyed at various points along this extended line. Moreover, Lord Methuen, before leaving Kimberley, will have to send down some thousands of refugees and non-combatants, and arrange to ro-viettial the garrison and collect supplies for bis own large force. The most that we can expect is that a .small flying column will bo pushed northwards, and even this is doubtful. It is to be, trusted, however, that if tilings come to the worst. its cveri tncnrcofnl commander will find means to break out and got away with as much of his little garrison as may yet bo in a condition for such an enterprise.