The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-29
ENGLAND'S PLAN OF WAR.
ORANGE RIVER BRIDGE THE HEY TO
THE TRdNSVddL.

LONDON. Oct 2O-Now that war in South
Africa has become an actual fact. 1t is Deces-
,rrv to take cognizance In general prelimi-
nary survey OF it's chief military features. The
hattie at Glencoe and the advance OF tho Beers
into northern Natal have given fairly ade-
ouate idea OF tho character OF the campaign
which will be carried on in that quarter Tho
real Aghtinv the real war. according to the
Br,tish plans. will be carried on. not on the
eost but on tho south and west OF the two re-
rublics It is now quite clear that tho British
main force will go north from Cape Town. Port
rIizabeth and East London convergIng proba-
hv at some point near the southern boundary
MI tn. Orange Free State. Thencesit will In
,,de the Free State either In single column
mr. second division will follow the limo OF the
railway on the west and turn east toward Pre-
tori, perhap. at about the point where jane
,or and his misguided band crossed the border
/ shall deal in this letter with the key to the
prni.h plan OF operations This Is admittedly
,hs orange River Bridge. a spot about 800
rriIes northeast OF Cape Town and about 100
Villas southwest ot Kimberley II 10 both
natural battlefield and strategic position
which commands access to the entire region
north and east. 1t comprises merely a railway
s,ntion and in ordinary times no inhabitants
heyond two or three railway employees and
,.v natives. To-day. however 1t bristles with
..ti,Iery il transformed by hastily constructed
fortiacations and throngs with redcoats. Col.
kincaid an officer who won distinction with
Lord Kitchener in the Soudan. is in command.
and he has been busy for weeks In making the
position. as he hopes. impregnaole.
A CORRESPONDENT OF the TUneS. writing at the
and Of Septembsr gives an excellent descrip-
ton Of the position which is to be the military
Op0rAtiOnS.
rsstsrn frontier OF the orange Free State and
fine Transyaal Is not an imaginary line but
,enc., originally erected to prevent the en-
tr,ncs OF cattle infected with rinderpest: but
n basnow fallen into decay. The Immediate
borders OF the river at Orange River Bridge are
fiat the valley being enclosed by low-lyinR
hills which are better described as ragged.
steep mounds.
within the circumference OF the ridges it Is
sandy and fat and over its red eXpanse
stretches the haze Of the heat. The frontier
lies five miles down the valley. and should the
scene Of operations embrace the bridge. the
valley, and the immediate area-and IL 10 to be
hoprd it may be so-any advance blythe Orange
Free State troops would be under the concen-
trated fire OF British artillery from the heights
about the river. Nature has adapted the place
for battlefield. for the lie OF tho land marks out
from the Orange Free State troops will en-
anate The British position here is purely
defensive one. From the point where Col.
Kiucaids first earthworks begin until the from
tier fence il reached. the intervening stretch
OF country is broken into . series OF minor
ridges and dred-up watercourses. which. il
available for artillery. are equally calculated
to hinder any very rapid movements OF troops
upon either side.
The Orange Free State" the Times cor
respondent writes. has Communicated it's
forces ,ust across the border. and to-day We
saw the dust OF the irregular horse. But.
should fight come. 1t would be between bat
teries OF artillery from the dividing hills upon
the river. aided by AS great q variety Of guer-
rilla warfare as regular troops are capable OF.
The hollows Of the plain and short rises OF the
hillside provide very ample shelter to sharp
shooters. the lines OF earthworks which have
been raised in tho valley assisting the artillery
in its protection OF the camp and mora distant
approaches to the bridge.
In the opinion OF Colonel Kincaid tho bridge
over the river which is the main feature. will
withstand any attempts at demolition which
the Beers may mako. It is constructed OF iron
grders and supported upon eighteen concrete
pillars. 1t Is very narrow and about 300 yards
long. The artillerymen banker for few how
tiers. which. II In position at the base Of the
low-lying range surrounding the camp. could
be fred over the intermediate ranges while
the men enjoyed comparative immunity
and the consolation OF conjecture within
shelter OF the facings. The defenees which
are in process OF construction at Orange bridge
and upon adjoining heights may be regarded
as impregnable. Redoubts sweep the sur
rounding areas with deadly effect No attack
ing force can possibly sustain any advance in
face OF their FIRE Onc- within range OF these
batteries the Republican forces will realize
that they have had their day. For many weeks
past the troops from across the border have
had opportunity to seize the position. and had
this been accomplished by the Stats artillery
1t is doubtful il the com bined force OF the I'm
peria artillery In Africa to-day could have OK
PEELED Thorn. In this respect the delay OF tho
Beers to attack the British forces upon this
frontier is astounding to every member OF our
force.
the front Of the position has been thus
secured. the situation OF the field and Maxim
batteries which command the eastern and rear
Hank ofthe British position fills the hearts OF
the artillerymen with rapture. 1t will knock
saven into bleeding ashes said the sergeant
In command OF tho construction party OF tho
Royal Artillery to your correspondent to-day.
Ihe extreme lucidity OF the speech explains
tho beauty OF the situation. 1t hovers like an
aVengng angel over the place beneath. The
entire British lines are within tho area
OF its protecting fire To the northwest
IL will support the main position in
'he protection OF the Orange River bridge
should the bridge defences by the aid OF mira
cles be driven in TO the east and rear flank its
Maxim fire will lcp down the ranges with the
precision of garden hose. In the same way
mat the Orange River plain Is a perfect battle
held. the isolated group OF hills which embody
the position was designed for artillery occupa-
ZION. Alter scrambling over it, riding round 1t.
climbing up it. and performing a special in
speetlon with the aid OF Captain Mills. who has
developed the position. there is but one thing
70 add TO my description. 1t bears the luciditY
Of the Royal Artillery sergeant.
The world may possibly be anxious to learn
why tho British official Tyre OF which Mr.. Alfred
austin is the custodian has not been attuned
10 martial strain now that England Is really at
war II is not forgotten that the Poet Laureate
lros'ltuted his Office Ave years ago by singing
me lame OF Jameson and his raid. Why then
should he be silent now? He tells us why in
liz In, he