te, and Laing's Nek (across and under which the
main road and railway pass into the Transvaal) are notable exceptions,
and the possession of these two passes necessarily carry with them
great strategical advantages.

"An appreciation of the relative importance of the defence of the two
frontiers of Cape Colony and Natal would, no doubt, be assisted if the
line by which the main advance on the Transvaal will ultimately be
undertaken were determined; but I am to say that in the
Commander-in-Chief's opinion the plan for offensive operations must
depend upon the political and military situation of the moment, and
cannot now be definitely fixed. The fact, however, that an offensive
advance will ultimately be undertaken, as soon as sufficient forces
have arrived, must be especially borne in mind in considering
arrangements for the first or defensive stage of the campaign."

The despatch then stated that the following should be taken as the
basis of Sir William Butler's arrangements for frontier defence: "The
latest information in the possession of the War Office as to the
military strength of the two States will be found in the recent
pamphlet entitled 'Military Notes on the Dutch Republics of South
Africa,' copies of which are in your possession. You will observe that
in that publication it is estimated that the total forces of the two
republics amount to over 40,000 men, and that of these some 27,000[53]
would be available for offensive operations beyond their frontiers. It
is known that projects for such offensive operations have actually
been under the consideration of the War department of Pretoria, but
although an attempt may be made on Kimberley and the northern strip of
Natal may be occupied by the Boers, yet it is considered to be
unlikely that any further serious advance into the heart of either
colony would be undertaken. Raids, however, of 2,000 to 3,000 men may
be expected, and it is against such raids that careful preparation on
your part is necessary."

[Footnote 53: A later edition of the Military Notes (June,
1899) estimated the total strength of the burgher and
permanent levies to be 53,743, and further that these would
be joined at the outbreak of war by 4,000 Colonial rebels. It
was calculated that of this total, and exclusive of those
detached for frontier defence and to hold in check Kimberley
and Mafeking, 27,000 effectives would be avail