The evening times., 1900-01-12
BULLER,S TURN AT LAST.

Sir Redvers Buller does not appear tc
be as badly done UP as the dispatches OF
yesterday reported him, for, like a sho
from masked,battery, comes the exciting
news that theSlong turn against Joubert's
right has begun, and that it's preliminary
step has been successful. From Springfield
Butler cables that on yesterday he seized
the bridge at POtgieters Drift, which is be-
yond the first named. He is, therefore,
attempting the movement which We ex-
planned several days ago would, in ouI
judgment, involve his best chance to re-
lieve Ladysmith. Details are entirely lack
ing but there ought to be no doubt that a
hard battle is in progress.
Springfield, as has often been noted in
these columns. has been reported and as
sumed to be the extreme right of the Boer
line, sixteen or twenty miles long. 1t has
always seemed the vulnerable spot, on ac-
count of the fords and roads to the west
of it, as these offer turning possibilities.
Joubert has an indeterminate force at his
command but, at the most liberal estl-
mate it would not be sufficient to admit
line and we do not believe that he could
have entrenched another five miles west
ward without SO weakening points be-
tween Springfield and Inhlawe Mountain
as to have made an attack even to the
east seem feasible.
Moreover. the long turn against Jou-
berts extreme right il effected, would
than
movement in any other direction. With
the bridge and ford at Potgieters Drift in
possession, Butler will be able to cross the
Tugela. There is one feature of the situa-
ton. however, disclosed in the few words
of his message, which is not apparently IA
vorable. He says the river is in flood,
which means that he must depend upon
the wagon bridge for crossing. 1t may or
may not be defended on the north side,
but probably is. There will be hard fight
ing in that case. and slow passage, after
the fight. Nevertheless, on the whole the
despatch reads well With the men and
guns al his disposal Butler should be able
to swing around the Beers flank and take
them in reverse from Zunckles or Acton
Homes. and then he would be within can
non shot of Ladysmith.
We may be sure that if there is a battle
going on at or beyond Springfield, the fight
ing is not confined to that locality. For
basic military reasons it does not appear
possible that Butler should take the step
he has so far from his centre and communi-
cations without the intention of bringing
on a general engagement The probabilities
are that he has also made an attack on
Joubert's left some miles east of Colenso.
where the heavy scouting was reported
yesterday. Incidentally he is doubtless
threatening. and vigorously Smelling the
centre Out original surmise was probably
correct, thjd Sir Charles Warren's divis-
ion at Esteour4 was intended to act as a
flying column against the Boer right, and
would move up the main road which leads
to ZunckleS With a cross road south OF
that point to Springfield.
Sir Redvers Butler must have approxi-
mately thirty-four thousand troops. in
Guiding five thousand cavalry. He IS be-
lieyed TO have sixty-six guns. and some Of
them are siege howitzers and long-range
naval guns. He has evidently taken plenty
Of time to get ready. His initial move
ment looks sensible. reasonably practicable,
and like the opening Of a scientific cam
paign. 1t will be very surprising if we do
not have stirring news from the Tugela
before tomorrow morning.