New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
NAY UNDERR4TE CRONJE.
TEE WARY BOER COMMANDER PROBA-
BLY, NOT WHOLLY SURPRISED
ICoPyrgtt: 1900: By The New-York Tribuue.I
IBT CABLE TO TIE TRIBUSE.I

ICoPynght: 1900: BY The New-York Trib1ne.I
IBT CABLE TO TIE TRIBUSE.I
London, Feb. 16 g. m.-There was no report
from General Roberts of the progress of his
turning movement when the War once closed
al midnight ard FIeet-st was without dis
patches from either Riet or Modder river. The
lack of news was explained serni-of1ciaIy as
probably Que 70 a halt Of French's cavalry until
he infantry could reach Kip Drift by slower
march There was 10 uneasiness in any official
quarter over General Roberts's silence
The details Of this turning movement are not
understood by military writer's with precision.
owing 70 the innpracticability OF identifying the
drifts and villages mentioned in the official dis
patches with the fording places and settlements
shown On the maps OF the Intelligence Depart
z1en1 But there is general agreement upon
1hs tactical effect Of the whole operation. Gen
erzl Cron5e VIII either abandon the siege OF
Kimberley and retreat by the only road left open
70 him. or his position will be encireled by e
superior force, which viii cut OF his supplies
and compel him 70 fight under conditions more
favorable for the British than those Of Magers-
<oatein- Military writer's unite in praising Lord
Ro5erts's strategy as the best work displayed
On the British side during the war, but they are
rot sufficiently On their guard against under
rating Cronjes defensive resources and prac-
teal sagacitv. He cannot have been wholly
taken by surprise. although President Steyn.
from political reasons. MAJ have forced him 70
send z portion OF his force 70 Colesberg against
his viii He is a resourceful general, whom
many Of the best Informed South Africans con-
cider superior % JOubert in craft and subtlety-
KIMBERLEY N GOOD SHAPE
The general impression that Kimberley is near
the end II its resources. and that General Rob
srrs considers II At urgent duty to relieve the
garrison and town with the least possible de-
lay is probably Inaccurate A high authority in
:ae War Ofhce when asked whether Cecil
Enodes ard Colonel Kekewich were eating their
horses has assured me that no apprehension
was entertained respecting the power Of kim
be-ey 70 hold out Indefinitely.
= wish ! could say the same of Ladysmith."
he added, graveIy.
The secret Of Lord ROberts's choice OF Mod
der River as the centre Of concentration and
operations neither the desperate condition
ot the Kimberley garrison nor political pressure
sor the deliverance Of Rhodes. There were sound
military reasons for General Roberts's course
General MerhUens army could not be massed
with the Sixth and Seventh divisions without
raising the siege Of Kimberley and the railway
Under guard from Orange 10 Modder River.
e convenient line Of supplies from his base for
en adrance toward Bloemfontein without the
delay which would have been inevitable if the
Colesberg and Stormberg districts had been
cleared The Dutch were anxious TO have Gen
eral Roberts conduct his campaign IN these
mountainous districts, but he has not consulted
their preferences
One result Of the sudden revelation OF q great
ErIny corps Of fifty thousand men Of all arms
marching toward Kimberley with remarkable
nooility and perfection of organization has been
the dimiuution Of public interest IN the opera
tons IN other portions Of the field. A clear
Perspective view mas been obtained after
long period Of darkness and fog. and Natal.
storrnberg and Rensburg are now seen in re-
nuced proportions. with the march Of Roberts's
army as the one great fact Of the situation
For this reason there has been shrinkage Of
news from al other sources, Natal has fallen
into the background. although the public is re-
minded OF Ladysmith by long detailed accounts
p1blsheo this morning OF the experiences Of
the garrison when they were Witnessing Cen
era Buffers show fight
LOSSES AT RENsBURG
The Rensburg casualty lists are incomplete,
but they include several gallant officers as killed
wounded or missing. The retirement Of the
Skeleton Of an army which was left al the scene
OF FrenchE uanGuvres was not effected with
OH considerable losses. which are rot get ac-
curstely estimated
The Only official news a. midnight was series
= dispatches from Colonel Baden-PoweH. dis
Losing the steadiness. courage and ingenuity
rirh which the defence of Mafeking was main
aimed 70 the end Of January. Later reports
troagh Kimberley have indicated that the siege
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