The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-02-26
ROBERTS SCORES.

The situation in South Africa has a
brighter aspect for the British arms.
Lord Roberts plans for pushing into
the Orange River territory have been
successful, and General French's rapid
march turned the Boer position, reliev-
ed Kimberley and cut General Cronje's
communications with Bloomfontein, the
capital of the Orange River Free State.
A large quantity of stores and ammuni-
ton has been captured by the British,
and at last accounts the British were
in pursuit of retreating forces.
The plans of the experienced old gen.
eral have been well laid, and it looks
as if the master mind of an able tao
tician had replaced the plans of men
whose one idea seemed to be to hurl
devoted troops against an enemy which
had all the advantage of practically
impregnable position and faultless
arms.
The Beers forces were kept busy and
interested in the movements of Sir
Hector Macdonald, which in measure
masked General French's advance. AS
soon as this had done it's work, it was
Withdrawn and for a day it was sup
posed that Sir Hector had been forced
to retreat, while we now know that he
fell back under orders, having accom-
plished the purpose for which he had
been pushed forward by General Rob-
erts.
1t is quite possible that the falling
back of Butler at the Tugela may be
/ part of the plan. And that the retreat
/ there may have been ordered, the at
/ tention of General Joubert having been
purposely kept busy for the needed
time during the third crossing. One
thing seems certain a master mind is
in charge of the war, and it looks as
if it had entered upon an entirely new
phase. 1t is very evident that Roberts
is not going to waste his troops by hurl-
ing them unnecessarily against In
trenchments.
While there is no reason for the SYM
pathisers of the British to be over jubi-
liant, they certainly have every reason
to be encouraged Their long lane has
had turning, There is an apparent
weakness in the line of communication
at Rensburg. But Lord Roberts is not
the kind of man to leave anything to
chance and it may be fairy depended
on that he has supports which he can
concentrate upon any point in his COM
munications which may be threatened
The occupation of the Orange Free
State will undoubtedly have it's effect
upon the Free State Burghers. There
has already been dissatisfaction shown
by them, for the Transvaal Beers have
domineered over their allies, and it is
stated that they have had an undue
share of the brunt of the fighting. II
will also prove a great menace to the
Transvaal which will now be threaten
ed from the South and West. and tn,
J position Of General Joubert will becom,
= somewhat precarious.
| Lord Roberts is following out a plaI
which has been suggested by militar!
critics. The British strategy has beer
severely blamed 1t is evident that il
his movement the relief of Kimberley
was but mere incident for Genera
French at once moved on. The adVanc,
has greater scope than mere relief. I
will be found that for the present Mafe
king will be left to take care of itsel
and that the movement forward L
Bloomfontein and then Eastward L
the Transvaal frontier will be pushed
as fast as soldiers legs can march.