THE PROBABLE THEATRE OF WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9876, 17 October 1899, Page 2

THE PROBABLE THEATRE OF WAR.

The configuration of the country at once marks- out the north-east corner of Natal as that likely to be the theatre of war. The Boers, of course, unless compelled to act solely on the defensive, will try and capture Kunberley ; ,but whether they desire it or not, some very hot fighting is bound to take place not far from Laing's Nek. Nor need we point out the great moral effect which, would be produced by a decisive British victory on. the very spot where our arms suffered a reverse in. 1881. It is impossible to overestimate the great importance of the pass through, the Drakensberg Mountains into the Transvaal. It is aa well to>_ bear in mind the exact geographical position. A comparatively narrow neck of British laud— forming part of Natal — runs up between the Orange Free State on the west, and the Transvaal to the east. On the west of the range of the Drakensberg divides the Free State from Natal; oa the east is the Buffalo River. Just before the Natal frontier is reached the Drakensberg is crossed at the pass known as Lang's Nek— s399ft above the sea level. Across this pass, for the rise is fairly gradual, a bicyclist could ride. However, the railway is not taken over it, but tunnels through, it. Beyond Laing's Nek is Charlestown, the last placo, on British territory, and/ just beyond the river, which forms the boundary, is. Volksrust, the first town in the Transvaal. Charlestown, therefore, it will Be seen, guards the pass ob the hither side, wlule Newcastle is on the south. The possession of the pass— i.e., Laing's Nek— is the crucial point. It is needless to dilate on the military advantage which would ensue, v, say, 5000 men were -stationed at

Laing's Nek or Ingogo, Majuba Hill being a couple of milea west of tho pass. While Laing's Nek is of a very great importance, our military base would be further south, namely, at Ladyamitli. This town, as a writor in the Africnn Review points out, is the key of the strategical position in Natal. It commands the cbiei passes through the Drakensbeig into Orange Free State. From it troops may be readily sent forward to Newcastle, Dundeo and Charleston n; while Ladysmith itself ib capitally adapted for defence. This town and places to the south of it are already strongly garrisoned. Ladysmith ie only about 190 miles from Durban; thr railway runs through friendly territory tho whole way, and is not exposed to a flank attack till the neighbourhood of Ladysmith is reached. Tins trunk lino from Capetown to Buluwayo, on the western side of the Boer Republics, in addition to its very much greater length, would bo exposed, as we recently pointed out, for a very considerable distance, and it is highly probable that sections of it would bo destroyed in the event of war by Africander sympathisers with the Transvaal Boers.