The evening times., 1900-02-15
The ADVANCE OF ROBERTS.

African maps within reach are so lacking
in detail that it is impossible today to fol-
low the important movements reported by
Field Marshal Lord Roberts with any de-
gree of certainty. The same handicap is
experienced in London, where one of the
best-informed writer's this morning makes
deduction that would put face upon
the situation on the Modder line totally
different to that which appears to us.
In short, this authority understands
French's advance to have been made
through the Boef line, extending from
Magarsfontein to Jacobsdal, distance of
fifteen miles Thus Cronje's left is repre-
sented as bisected and his Jacobsdal flank
hung u9 in the air. We cannot adopt
such theory on the basis of anything
we can find in the news. BY carefully
studying the sequences. directions, and
distances given in the Roberts messages,
and then noting a point or two on the
map issued by our War Department it is
probable that better idea of the opening
movement of the campaign of invasion
can be obtained than is conveyed by any
of the English military writers, whose
comments we have had the pleasure of
seeing thus far.
Some days ago. and following the nomen-
clature of our most reliable war map. We
yentured to predict on the assumption that
Lord Roberts would try to turn Cronjes
left at Jacobsdal, that French would be
sent with the cavalry. followed by one or
more infantry divisions and artillery. to
make a crossing of the Riet River at
point east of Honey Nest Kloof on the rail
way. This point. being ten miles south or
south southeast OF Jacobsdal coincides
with the place called Ramah opposite
which the crossing actually was made. A
brigade of mounted infantry on Sunday
last. under Colonel Eanuay. took the drift
leading to Ramahs and engaged the Boer
outposts holding the Kloofs on the north
side of the Riet They were dispersed and
Hannay held the crossing and pushed his
artillery and baggage through to the ham
let We assume deductively that the cross
ing referred TO, due east of Honey Nest
Kloof. is the Dekiel's Drift of the des-
patches. and over which French moved on
Monday. 1t is possible. inasmuch as Rob
eTts says the cavalry division under Gen
eral French seized the crossing Of the Riet
River at Dekiel's Drift that it may be a
little to the left OF Ramah. II not identi-
cal il seems reasonable to think that the
two points were moi widely separated as
Roberts would not BE- likely 20 give his
heavy British infantry a longer detour than
necessary.
French was promptly followed By the
Sixth and Seventh divisions. which campcl
above Dekiel's Drift Tuesday night.
Meantime, the cavalr.- division. on Tues
day. made forced march twenty-five
miles north, seizing Clip Drift and Ron
deval Drift. on the MOdder River. BY
this time if all has gone well the infan-
try should be well on French's heels.
Perhaps we should not b. too sure about
it, but we cannot see wherein the reports
indicate that French cut through Cronje's
lines II would seem more natural 10 turn
Jacobsdal TO the east and thus get in the
Boer rear without the necessity for a
fight against entrenched forces; FOR the
dai have been understood to be well en-
trenched. though lately they may not
have been adequately manned. owing 10
details sent 10 COIesberg. In the end it
matters little. French. at latest accounts.
was well around and behind Cronje's left
and threatening that wing in reverse as
well as cutting the Boer lines OF retreat
from Spytfoutein and Kimberley
1t Will be vastly interesting TO see what
Cronje may do on his side. in view of this
bold British opening That he was alto
gether taken by surprise We cannot be
lieve. since the movement under consid-
Grafton has been widely predicted in Lon
don and Washington for weeks. He may
be short of men. and it is even possible
that he has detailed a large part of his
force to execute a coup down in tho quadri-
lateral district leaving Roberts TO employ
all his resources against a position which
the Beers 10 not intend to hold OF course
this is guesswoFh. One thing is evident.
however: If Cronje is still in considerable
force at Mag2rsfontein and means 10 fight
he has a very serious problem before him.
Methuen is on his front with fifteen thou
sand troops with plenty of artillery and
behind good defensive works. Roberts
with thrty-hve thousand men is moving
around his left. and. if not checked will
be completely in his rear by tomorrow or
Another successful move in tbs
game, and Kimberley will be relieved ard
its garrison added TO the British column
1t would seem, then, that CrOnje must en-
trench his rear and draw in his left to
Magarsfontein. or if it be actually a fact
that he has been outgeneTaled and cor
nered. that he must make a break by
Methuen's right at Sand Drift. or take the
present and perhaps last opportunity to !
retire north by Kimberley to Boshof. and j
so out into the Free State veldt But it
is not improbable tfat the British cavalry |
might be at Boshof before he could get
there. The whole subject will be cOnsd- |
erably clearer after we are permitted 10
know what may have happened to the
Sixth and Seventh divisions, on their
march from the Riet to the Modder.
THE NAMES DESTRUCTION.
The Second Anniversary Of the Trag-
Pdy in Havana Harbpr