The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-28
The Crossing of the vnnl.


the vaal on Saturday. Our late dispatches,
via London, this morning are likely 10
show that the main body made the pas
sage Yesterday From the north side OF
the stream the British general-in-chiet
is but two days march from Johannes
burg. Yesterday the censorship had again
become rigorous. and details of the move
ment are lacking. But something may be
assumed on the basis Of the status quo
ante.
Surprising that Roberts decides to push
ahead at once, it is probable that his
mounted divisions, under Ian Hamilton on
the right and French on the left, viii be
advanced rapidly with the view of turning
the Boer tanks. The result no doubt,
would be another footrace rather than a
fight. There is no room for question, on
military reasoning, that the thing for the
British commander to do, il he can, is to
envelop the principal Boer force in his
front and capture it. Success in that oper-
alton would save vast amount OF trouble
and disorder in the future. 1t would pre-
vent execution of Botha's design to retreat
into the Lydenburg hills in the north and
there carry on guerrilla warfare perhaps
for months 1t goes without saying that
nothing in the present state OF affairs Is
SO important as the development OF 3D.
tha's army would be. The correctness OF
this proposition is fully recognized by the
military writers in England, the best OF
whom refer to ii with an air of repression
which strongly suggests that they are
holding back something they have heard,
or confidently deduce from the nature OF
Roberts concentrations and dispositions.
Spencer Wilkinson, perhaps the ablest OF
the war reviewers in London. wrote on
Saturday: THE Beers. as usual, must
either be enyeIoped or go. Very special
exertions will be made to cut off their
.streat, as Lord Roberts is now deter
mined to capture them if possible"
It would be interesting to know of what
these very special exertions'' will consist.
If suspicion which may be allowable has
anything tangible in it. the first of the
exertions will be a. rest for few days.
ostensibly to repair the railway and
bridges. and get the transport in trim
for the final march on johannesburg and
Pretoria. That might serve to give Butler
time to move up from Laings Mex. from
which point. IL free from opposition, he is
only nine marches from johannesburg. 4
movement of conveyance by Butler from
Laiags Mex. and by Methuen from Klerks-
dorp. with Heidelberg as the objective,
might end in cutting off Botha's retreat.
although We are indisposed to think that
Roberts is counting altogether on such an
eventuaiity. Still, it seems to US that the
movement indicated is likely to play an
important part in a problem which the
shrewd old field marshal is working out
with forceful deliberation. Hunter, when
he reaches Mafeking, will be eleven
marches from johannesburg and is likely
TO be on hand for the round up. If there
is to be one. But there is. in our judg-
ment an unknown factor loose somewhere.
and We would greatly like TO be able to
guess just what 1t is, and where its work
is to come in.
For "A considerable time reports from
South Africa have been absolutely silent
regarding the whereabouts or activities Of
Lord Kitchener. The same may he said
OF Darlington, who is somewhere, worming
his way with a column through Rhoiesia.
1t is the former who most interests US.
He has been dead to the world long enough
TO impress professional minds with the
idea that he is doing something in the
line of his peculiar abilities, AID that Ia
due course OF time he may appear On the
scene In place where the Beers do net
expect him, and in a way to dislrrazge
their plans. Should Roberts wait for some
days before moving upon Johannesburg.
this suspicion would be strengthened, and
1t would not be dispelled even If an imme-
date advance were made. johanna sburg
may be short Of the locality where the
net is TO be spread. Our view may lie
without good foundation. but we cannot
get rid of the presentiment that the vi tor
of Gmdurman. the indomitable wilderness
campaigner. will shortly turn up in
Botha's rear.