New-York tribune., 1900-01-03
THE NEWS CHEERS ENGLAND.
BRITISH SUCCESSES GIVE HOPE OF
FURTHER VICTORIES
EXPECTEn SOnN
EXPECTED SOON.
Tcopyrght; 1900: By The New-York Tribune 7

Tribune
tBy CABLE THE TRIBuNEI
LONDON, Jan 3, ! a. m.-General French's ex
plot in surprising the Boer camp at coleshere
was not the only cheering incident of the open
ing Of the new year. Colonel Pitcher with a
foroe Of mounted infantry from the line of Lord
hethuens communications attacked and de-
feated the Dutch commando at Sunnyside thirty
miles northwest of Belmont taking a. laager
and forty prisoners. This is a fresh proof Of the
efficiency of mounted troops in South African
warfare General Methuen's line is secure
against raiding when scouting is so we'll done
that the presence of the enemy thirty miles
away is known and the troops are mobile enough
to strike an encampment at a long distance
from the line which they guarding
Colonel Pitcher belongs TO the famous Fight
ing oth' which was caught in the ambuscade
under General Gatacre. but is veteran in South
Africa and is on special service. His casualties
We're confined To the Australian troops three
being killed and one officer dangerously wounded
The Queensland Mounted Infantry has the
distinction of being the first body of colonial
troops coming from over the seas 10 have the
credit of the gallant exploit unless Reuters
Agency is right in stating that the Canadians
were also engaged. The Canadian contingent of
one thousand men will certainly give fine ac-
count Of themselves. for they are a picked body
of rihemen Why the military authorities have
been so slow about taking a full advantage of
the colonial offers one of the densest mysteries
of red tape system.
FRENCH CONFIRMS THE VICTORY.
General French's official report, posted at the
War Office in the morning. incomplete but
confirmed the previous nights news, with the
additional detail that the artillery fire was hot at
daybreak before Coesberg and that the enemys
guns were senced. the British casualties being
three killed and few wounded. The Central
Newss wide awake correspondent follows UP his
success in furnishing news ahead of the War Of
fee by supplementary accounts describing the
skill with which General French's plans were
made, the remarkable mobility of his force and
the completeness with which the enemys camp
was surprised and the cleverness of maneuvring
in order work the Horse Artillery around TO the
rear where the heavy enfilading shell fire could
be brought to bear upon the Beers. The enemy
were utterly demoralized by the unexpected at
tack and by the double fire, and in
full retreat. leaving guns and stores behind
them This account is exhilaratng reading after
the long series Of costly frontal attacks without
mannuvring THE Times's' correspondent
ports that the enemy's strength was from 5000
to 1000 men, but these figures probably too
large. General French had cut off the retreat TO
the road bridge over the Orange River. but the
enemy were in line for the railway bridge at
NorvaPs Pont. which the more important
crossing.
General Gatacre has given official account
of the spirited conduct shown by the Cape
Mounted Rifles in the recent skirmishes near
Dordrecht All these episodes point with cumu
lative force the same moral marcy, that the
only effective method of fighting the Beers is
with mobile forces which outmaneuvre
them and not be closely confined TO base OF
supplies and lines Of communication.
These three successes, while not in any degree
decisive have had most inspiriting effect upon
tie public here.
FEARS FOR LADYsMITHS SAFETY.
There is, however, deepening sense or anx-
iety respecting Ladysmith. whence most dis
heartening reports OF the prevalence Of sickness
are received. General White reported a list of
nearly twenty deaths yesterday from enteric
fever and dysentery and seventy-one serious
cases In the hospital DIR. Jameson has all the
work he can do in that fever nest II is evident
that the garrison cannot hold out long, and that
Sir Redvers Butler will not allow many days TO
psss before striking blow. Transports with
fresh battalions and batteries arrived at Dur
ban yesterday and within forty-eight hours SIR
Redvers ought 10 be I'm readiness for a supreme