New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-07
TRAPS ON BOTH SIDES.
A DAYS INCIDENT OF THE GUERILLA
WARFARE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-Tork Tribune.l
[BT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

TCopyrtght: 1900: BY The New-Tork Trfbunel
[BT CABLE THE TRIBUNE
London April :. a m-The game of counter
stroke has been played on both sides with
cess General Methuen has entrapped a small
body of Beers near Boshof. surrounding them
and taking ffty-four prisoners, after four
hours fight His force included the Imperial
Yeomanry whose exploit will be a popular one
in England, where great interest has been taken
in this body Of rough riders and. crack shots.
The casualties were nearly equal on both sides
apart from the prisoners
This episode throws little light upon the mys-
terious operations which General Methuen has
been conducting north Of Kimberley. 1t indi
Gates the facility with which the British COM
manders can adapt themselves to the guerilla
warfare into which the Boer tactics are rapidly
degenerating. General Vilebois Mareuil, who
was killed on the Boer side. was Jouberts mill
tary adviser in Natal, and was engaged by DR..
Leyds al the outbreak Of the His record
in the French army was brilliant and DR.. Leyds
made an excellent investment in securing his
services. He had been in the French War Office
and STAFF College, and was Chief Of Staff in the
Algerian army. French officers have considered
that his abilities were overrated, but he had
evidently been most useful 10 the Boer generals
ii Natal IN showing them how they could adapt
their tactics TO new conditions of warfare He
Was the best foreign expert on the Dutch side,
ana his death is a serious blow, especially as
the Beers have lost two Of their best men-Jou-
bert and CronJe If he suggested the new policy
OF counter attack upon the lines Of the British
communication. has been reported. he has
fallen victim to his own tactics.
BOERs MAKE HAUL
The Beers have followed up their success at
korn SDr1it by similar stroke aimed against
General Roberts's line Of communications They
surrounded three companies Of Royal Irish Rifles
anc two Of mounted infantry near Redders-
burg. about forty-fve miles south of Bloem-
'ontein and after fight lasting nearly twenty
foGr hours compelled the entire garrison TO sur
render General Gatacre was ordered up from
springfontein and the Cameron Highlanders
Hom Bloemfontein, but Reddersburg was
reached too late for the rescue. General Rob
arts did not have definite news of the surrender
" this force when he sent bulletin, but there
vas little reason to doubt that the five COM
ianes We're on the way TO Pretoria
me news OF this second setback was accom-
lsaed by the official list OF killed. wounded and
Kissing at Korn Spruit with total casualties re-
ported al 100. There no fresh details Of
rhe Redcersburg affair at midnight.
The new tactics followed by the Beers have
servers who had fancied that the war was Writ
1Siy over, but veterans in the service are not
lseoncerted by them seriously alarmed.
''suro estimates, printed by sensational news
PSpefs. Of the strength Of the Boer raiders are
s'ecled IN official circles as Unworthy of ere
4ehoe- Instead u having 200gO men and being
- readiness TO invest BioemfOntein. the Beers
~e not believed by cautious experts to have
.+'ie than 900 or 1000 burghers Inaction in
hoilA was fatal 20 them. and they were
-N1'ea TO adopt new tactics and attempt a Sc
u counter attacks. Veterans are surprised
'"t this has not been done before and that
Dsiefai Roberts's. General Methuen's and Cen
Dullers lines Of communication have not
- repeatedly raided. They add that the
oOeis' having discovered how effective these tac-
are VIII continue TO make use Of them in
"oopng down here ami there upon isolated
saia'sons and stations. Il is readily admitted