The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-21
The south African situation.

military point OF view, Dut Is especially So
in connection with the battle of diplomacy
which is about to be fought at the White
House and the State Department between
the President and Secretary Hay, and the
Boer peace ENJOYS.
The opinion in England, that the end OF
the South African war is practically in
sight. probably is justified by the military
conditions on the vaal River line. which
Lord Roberts appears ready to attack
probably has attacked by this time. Judg-
ing from reports which represent the Boer
leaders as depressed and nearly hope ess.
and hastily preparing to move the Trans
vasl seat of government from Pretoria to
Lydenburg, 1t is very possible that they
may have Information of British movements
which have not been made public by the
War Office in London, but which may be
guessed at with some confidence. 1t is
apparent that no mistake was made in
giving the chief command in the field
to Lord Roberts. He has shown ability
to evolve a comprehensive plan of
campaign. which promises success in
accomplishing maximum results with a
j
his long line Of advance. stretching fon
Hunters position on the extreme left at
Christiana, to Buffers on the tight at
Laings Mex, that meneees the Transvaal
and its cities. There are fanking move
ments in course of execution by flying col
umns. which 1t is fair to presume have
been carefully timed TO coincide with
~ <nf tAa N.al lx.xs ~ -,
army. Within few Gays the garrison at
Mafeking which must now aggregate five
Thousand men. including Plumer's cJm-
mand, will be REINFORCED by three thou
sand or more, representing, the less mobi e
body of the relief column. From the
Mafeking base it will. therefore. appear
that johannesburg and Pretoria are Imm.-
nently threatened from the west. 1t is al: 0
known that Darlington is moving steaCily
through Rhodesia. and the chances are that
he may effect junction with the troops
from MafekinG, and Jointly with them, be
able to head off a Boer retreat n3rthvard.
Effective resistance to Roberts advance
from the Free State is no longer possible.
He has at least hundred and fifty thou
than forty thousand. The Beers are ut
terly incapable of a serious stand, since it
will be impossible for them to find any
position which the British cannot turn and
surround. Practically speaking. 1t does not
seem that anything but rear guard fight
Ing. or guerrilla warfare is now within
their ability. As Lord Roberts advances
his centre, Buiier will be able to strike
Tor the Beers left. and Hunter for their
extreme right. They must retreat or be
enyeloped, and that speedily, because the
dispositions Of the British divisions strong
ly suggest a design to swing the cavalry
around to their rear: a movement which,
II executed suddenly, might result in bag
ging Botha's main force. French, it will
be observed, was close to the vaal River,
above Rhenoster, at latest accounts
The foregoing. as gathered from our de- |
spatches yesterday. leads US to credit the
report that Presidents Kruger and Steyn
have asked for truce, and have demanded /
belligerent treatment for the Cape Colony,
Natal, and Grigualand Afrikanders who
have been. or are. in rebellion against
Great Britain, on pain Of destroying the
johannesburg mines. The effort to secure
Immunity for their allies may well be an
Indication Of early submission. 1t is said |
that a peace at-any price party has de-
veloped in Pretoria and elsewhere in the
Transvaal. and it may soon become strong
enough to control the situation.
In the circumstances stated it does no;
require the spirit Of prophecy to predict
what will be the course of the Mckinley
in its dealings with the
Boer ENJOYS. From official sources we are
already in possession of hints sufficient to
show that the watchwords will be unctuous
and delay. II is said that. II
the ENJOYS present plenpotentiary creden-
tials, the State Department will at once
begin an investigation to determine whet1l-
er or not there was anything in the Lon
ION Convention of 1884 which. by implica-
ton. might show that Great Britain then
abandoned all suzerain rights over the
South African Republic. OF course care
Jul consideration Of such a grave matter
would take time, and the preparation of
several sets Of opinions each by Magoon,
iriggs. George F. Edmunds. Richard OIL
ley. and others. All this would be merely
~ way Of subterfuge, as the principle
aw agree that the convention OF 1884. in
smuch as 1t prohibited the South African
Republic from making treaties with other
;tates-the Orange Free State excepted
without the consent Of the British Gov
rnment, left the first named In condi- ,
ion Of international dependency. to the
xtent specified. AS far as We are advised, ;
he nominal position of the Free State is
ifferent. as 1t appears to have been regard
d as fully Independent, no restrictions that
re know Of being put upon its information .
relations. But. practically. 1t Is to be
QUILTED IL. in international law. the Free
tate has any well defined status as a State
t the present time. Its territory Is In the
ards of an invading army. Whatever 1t
nay be de jure. its position de facto is
hat Of a State whose control and govern 7
lent are wholly In the hands of a con- I
ueror. t
These considerations have all been dis
used and weighed in advance by Mr. Nc g
.inley's diplomatic advisers. Neither he C
or they are in any doubt as to what the h
administration policy is to be. But. they O
re quite aware that the coming of the p
Ger ENJOYS to this country has dropped ri