The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Spencer Wilkinson Discusses Opera
tions In Cape Colony.

uOhs In Sope Coionys
LONDON, Jan. 31.--Spencer Wilkinson
reviewing the military situation in the
Morning Post, says: There is again
remarkable scarcity Of information about
what is taking place in the theater Of war.
There must be more than 100 war cores
pondents at the front, but they are KEEP,
silent.
1.-The column under General Kelly-Kenns
has occupied Thebus, about ninety miles
by rail from Cclesberg. where General
French is operating. and about forty-fivs
miles from Stormberg junction, where thu
Beers opposed to General Gatacre are be
lieved TO be. The strength of General Kelly
Kenny's column is not told. but as thai
officer commands the sixth division. the
whole OF which has reached Cape Town and
as there is no word OF any part OF IL hav-
ing gone to Natal. the probility is that the
column is identical with the division. At
any rate its to be hoped that this is the
case, and that the last has been heard OF
breaking up divisions into Fragments. The
dispatch of this column. az must be pre-
sumed, it is strong enough for independent
operations, portends a great deal
in the first place, it means that the
campaign in Natal is to be left TO take
care OF itself. For. IL the sixth division
is at Thebus. there is no other force at
Cape Town capable OF turning the bal
ance in Natal. Ladysmith, then. is not to
be relieved. Its garrison must hold out
long as possible or make a desperate at
tempt to fight its way out, unless. indeed.
General Butler. with such forces as he
has, tries third time to drive back the
Boer army.
This discussion implies that the war
will be prolonged. and that the Beers are
to be given time to push their advantage
in Natal They will try 10 overcome SIR
George Whites force and TO take the Of
fensive against General Butler. whose army
they would I'm that case, perhaps. be able
to hold by putting several parts OF their
own more mobile force I'm positions on
his front, fanks and rear. General Butler
would keep them occupied as long as his
supplies and ammunition lasted
During the operations the British forces
I'm Cape Colony and the reinforcements on
the way would be collected into an army
10 march through the Free State. IL that
march could be rapid enough to produce an
effect on the mind Of the Boer commanders
in-chief. while General Buffers force Is
still occupying him. the plan might lead to
decisive result. but there can hardly be
a start for another month. and a march
through the Free State must take a month
at Ieast- 1t is not easy to-day TO foresee
what can happen in Natal by the end OF
March.
Meanwhile the mission OF General Kelly
Kenny does not altogether explain itself.
1t seems little strange that the new
column should not first have been sent
TO the assistance or General French who
has hemmed in force Of Beers. but finds
them reinforced from the north. Anything
like a division added 10 General French's
force ought 10 enable him 20 destroy the
Boer forces with which he Is dealing. by
completing his circle around them and
then gradually closing In upon them.
"The formation OF fresh column while