The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-22
Buffers Advance ON Lndysmitb.

reports which had been received IN Lon
don yesterday morning from Sir Redyers
Butler gave some additional information
concerning the details OF his turning move
ment for the relief of Ladysmith, but they
were evidently not intended to disclose a
great deal The one new point of impor-
lance deducible from these laconic mes
sages is that the crux of the operations will
be found on the extreme British left. all
the indications yesterday tending to show
that Butler was forcing Joubert TO extend
his right wing farther and farther, and
that the successful British blow would he
struck, if anywhere, by an attack in flank
from beyond Acton Homes-somewhere in
the vicinity of Mount Tintwa. 1t must be
distinctly noted that We are speaking OF
things as they were represented yesterday
morning. There should be no doubt that
severe battle was in progress Sunday. and
its results may appear in the news columns
of this edition. II is only safe. in advance
OF the London morning news, TO write re-
respectively, and there is not much to
discuss.
But one thing is easily discerned.
Butler has msssed heavily on the Boer
right. There is a confusing reference in
his dispatches TO the presence OF Lieu
tenant General Clery, with part of War
ren's division" on the left OF the latter's
main position beyond Spionkop, aud there
fore apparently in direct support OF Lord
Dundonald's light brigade at or beyond Ac-
ton Homes. The truth probably is that.
just as warren's division moved behind
and beyond the first division under Buffers
personal command, Immediately after the
seizure OF Potgieter's Drift, SO Clery's di-
vision has moved behind and beyond War
rem, and now forms the left Of the British
line. Theoretically. when Warren should
strike the entrenched Boer position, to-
ward which he was skirmishing on Satur-
day, Clery ought 10 be well around its
flank by Acton Homes and able TO attack
in the rear. The movements Of Dundonald
have been OF too great tactical Importance
not to be supported by strong force OF
infantry and artillery. The presumption
would seem to be that Butler is depending
upon the turn, no matter how long ii may
be, TO avoid the slaughter Of frontal at
tacks as far as possible. Incidentally, the
farther the lines OF attack are pushed up
the greater will be the extension OF Jou-
berts defensive line. the greater the ne
cessity to utilize all available men for re-
sistance at and above Dewdrop, and hence
the smaller will be any danger OF a Boer
counter attack on the British right at CO.
lenso.
Should Warren's and Clery's movements
prove successful the logic OF the situation
would appear TO point to an immediate at
tempt by the British to gain the ford and
Dewdrop Road just west of Groblers
Kloof-opposite Colenso. But the news
of today may 80 change the aspect of az
fairs that it would be useless to indulge
in further ooniectures. 1T is reported that
the active bcmbardment Of Ladysmith has
been resumed. apparently without much
effect. This probably indicates that Jou-
bert apprehends the possibility OF a sortie
en- masse Of the garrison, in the direction
of the relief column, ane should Dun
donald. followed by Clery, manage 10 work
around by Acton Homes TO Dewdrup or
Walkers Hook. such an attempt on the
part OF Sir George White might be ex-
pected and perhaps feasible. The impress
sion is unavoidable that the fate OF Lady
smith will have been definitely fixed by
Buffers operations OF yesterday and per-
haps Of today and tomorrow. The garrison
bids fair 10 be free or doomed to sur
render before the end OF the week.