New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-15

sist in the last struggle but will make the best
terms they can with the British-between whom
and themselves relations prior to this war were
always most agreeable. few detached bodies
may hold out here and there, and President
Steyn may succeed in keeping some of his per-
sonal followers together in further desperate
resistance, though his reported use Of the SIAM
box as a persuader is not calculated to inspire
his men with personal enthusiasm for him. But
all general cooperation between the two fac
tons of Beers is, unless reports are strangely
misleading, now at an end. That must mean a
speedy collapse of the whole Boer cause. divide
and conquer is sound precept In some cases.
But 1t is not conceivable that in these circum-
stances it will prove benehcent to the Beers.
Not the least satisfactory feature of the outlook
is that the Beers of the Orange State, who are
enlightened and progressive and worthy OF a
better fate than that which war has brought to
them. will speedily be relieved Of the woes
which have come upon them through the selfish
ambition of their President and their own almost
quixotic sympathy with their knsmen beyond
the Vaal. Thus far the Orange State has suf-
fered all and the Transvaal none Of the horrors
of invasion and conflict 1t will be stern justice
for the Orange State to suffer no more and for
the Transvaal to endure all the rest.
And it seems likely that such an adjustment
of the balance will be effected Lord Rob
erts is pushing right on. his cavalry vanguard
keeping constantly in touch with the retreating
Beers. How much further he can go without a
halt for rest and supplies is an interesting prob
lem. 1t NAV be clear TO the Vaal We may be
sure it will be just far as the utmost en-
durance can make possible. 1t is to be noted, by
the way that German critics, generally none too
friendly to British arms, are enthusiastic in
their admiratio of his march, likening it to
that from Cabul to Kandahar Meantime Sir
Redvers Butler is heard from to some effect He
has retraced General Yues track from Lady
smith toward Glencoe and Dundee. He has won
the passes of the BiggarSberg. but it is not GER
tain whether he is going on in that direction or
is simply clearing the country at his rear before
moving upon the Drakensberg and so over into
the Orange State. The latter is a doubtful
theory. He does not seem to be needed in the
Orange State. where the war has already passed
far to the north of him. The few Boer comba-
tants In the Harrismith- Bethlehem region can
surely be dealt with by detached bodies from
Lord Roberts's army. But the wedge of Natal
sorely needs to be freed from Boer invaders,
and then there will be an admirable opportunity
for counter invasion Of the Transvaal in the
direction of Vryheid, Utrecht and Walker
stroom. Such plan of campaign would be con-
sonant with the general plan Of advancing upon
Pretoria with main army through the Orange
State while strong flanking force moves
thither on each side--one from Bechuanaland
and one from Natal On the whole, the British
campaign appears to be prospecting nightly
and to be leaving little for mediation arbitra
ton even were either of these possible. We
shall not be surprised if the British have occa-
sion to celebrate their sOvereigns birthday this
year with an exceptional amount of military
enthusiasm and triumph