The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19
INTSOUTH AFRICA.

because OF the confusing nature OF re-
ports, and partly because the whole COM
plexion of affairs may change at any min
ute. The best we can do isato consider
the subject from the viewpoint furnished
by our dispatches of yesterday ceiling
conscious, however. that it might be radi-
cally affected by news which the War OF
flee in London may be able or willing 10
give out this morning before we go TO
press.
Judged strictly by appearances the
movement inaugurated by Lord Roberts,
seemed On yesterday. to promise success
full results. Just how successful it would
be impossible to guess. as there are sew
eral matters to be considered about which
the news has been silent. Cronje is repre-
scented as in full retreat with ten thousand
men. This, of course. would not account
for all the force he had with him from
Jacobsdai to Magersfontein and so on
around up to Kimberley. The numerical
strength of the retreating force may be.
and is likely. TO be exaggerated IL IS
perhaps true that Cronje was surprised by
:he rapidity with which French was able
to circle around his left flank. and so mis-
calculated the time at his disposal to get
his transport beyond danger and well to-
ward Bloemfontein before his enemy
should strike. But of the contemplated
advance. and of its nearly certain tactical
features the Boer general certainly had
long notice and it would be strange In
IL he IN Mans 10
counterfeit its effects. seeing that he could
not defeat it ON the immediate ground. The
most. natural thing for Cronje 10 do in
the circumstances. We should think. would
be to make a pretence Of rctreating with
his main body. but in reality taking with
him only sufficient force for convoy pur
poses. This. he might argue. would lead
Roberts TO follow him with the bulk OF the
British Army. and leave an opening for
Beer operations against inferior numbers
on the quadrilateral and DE Aar lines of
communication.
On the theory. although intelligence OF
the situation which is yet to come may
show the opinion to be ill-founded We are
yet suspicious that more than half OF
= SDl away aAuto oNpS
Colony ten days or more ago. or pushed
out from Magersfontein as soon as French
appeared before Kimberley. Yesterday
there were two dispatches which seemed
to strengthen this surmise. One said that
the Beers were trying to get out OF
Magersfontein to the northwest, which
would mean that they were pointing for
II .bot
ton, and that Sir Hector Macdonald had
reoccupied Koodoosberg and the drift at
that place. He conveyed a report that they
had appeared at and were preparing to
attack the railway line at Gras Pan. where
Lord Methueu had a fight several weeks
Beers from Magersfontein had moved out
and crossed the Modder at Sand Drift. on
the left Of the old British line, and gotten
over before Macdonald could intercept
them. The alternative theory is obvious.
If the Beers are in any force at Gras Pan.
or in its neighborhood, they must have
moved, down from Magersfontein. or they
must have marched up from the quadri-
lateral which we should think is hardly
probable. Clements at or below Rensburg
was reported actively engaged against
a large Boer force from COlesberg. and
Gatacre. at MoIteno. was also fighting. In
these operations it is perhaps reasonable
to think there may be a suggestion of
what the Transvaal strategists hope to do
to countervail the campaign plan of Lord
Roberts. They seem to be pushing vigor-
ously for the British base line. Whether
they have force enough to reach and cut
ii or not, was rot apparent on yesterday
The reports from Sir Redvers Buffers
headquarters we're not satisfactory in
disclosing actual movements. II was said
that a fresh attack was being made on
Krantz Kioof. II so. then the British left
must have been again pushed up beyond
Springfield to Zwarts Kop and Mount
Alice-points that the news OF the past
week has appeared TO indicate had been
abandoned, although the fact has not
been admitted in terms. We had stories.
also. that Butler was about to hit Jou
bert's left beyond Colenso by attacking
Iuklawe Mountain. crossing the Tugela at
that place. aud trying turn by the east
ern route One or the other movement
may have been attempted; but whether
seriously or not would depend upon the
strength of the Boer forces in the Natal
field. II is Undoubtedly Lord Roberts
policy to have Butler keep Joubert as
constantly in play as possible in order
that the latter may not send re-enforce-
ments to Cronje There IL the possibility
also that the Free State commands to
the west and southwest of Ladysmith.
hearing OF the march OF Roberts toward
Bloemfontein. might make breal; for
home by Trutwa and Van Reenens passes
and thus leave Butler a fresh chance by
Tritchard's Drift and Acton Homes.
Finally. Joubert might decide to move
most of his army into the Free State. oc-
cupying and fortifying the passes behind
him, to keep Butler from following in his
rear. Speaking generally. the situation |
at large does not at the time of writing |
look hopeless for Ladysmith. if Sir George |
White can manage to hold out few days |
longer The Boer investment may there |
fall in pieees of a sudden rs it did at
Kimberley
Republicans and Trusts.
from i!se indianapolis Newsl
Probably there are no more men in the ranks |