New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-05
EXPERTS UNABLE TO PREDICT
NEWS EMBARGO DEPRIVES THEM OF
THEIR OCCUPATION.
copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Trbune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.1

copyright: 1900: BY The NewYork Tribune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUsEl
rondon June , a. m-There has been q
connlete embargo upon war news for twenty
four hours. A column can be filled with things
which the public is not allowed to know, such as
General Robertss plan of campaign against Pre-
toria, General Buffers progress in turning the
Boers out of Laings Mex. the direction and ex-
tent of the movements from the western border
into the Transvaal under Hunter. Methuen
Baden-PowelI and Darlington. the whereabouts
Of French and Hamilton and the full effects of
the counterstroke planned by the Free State
generals against the British line of communica-
tions A few lines will suffice for exposition
of the scraps of information which the censor
permits to pass over the wires. These relate
mainly TO General Warren's fight with the rebels
in the poor white district. General Rundle's
reconnaissance in force, which converted
into serious engagement: the capture of two
of Brabant's patrols near Ficksburg. the uncer-
tainties of the situation at Pretoria and the
fight of the Boer officials to the coast or to the
mountains. News Of real Importance is sup
pressed and it is not practicable for the shrewd-
est expert TO ascertain what is going on at the
front or to forecast the date for the occupation
of Pretoria The War Office closed at midnight
without throwing any light upon the confused
situation.
II is probable that General Robertss inaction
at johannesburg is due TO the necessity for re-
ceiving reinforcements before ordering fresh
advance He has only four brigades of infantry
on the advance line, and of these must be
left behind TO guard johannesburg. Three bri-
gades Of infantry, as many brigades Of cavalry
and division Of mounted infantry hardly suffice
for the occupation of Pretoria, especially when
the railway needs to be guarded. 1t is reason
able to assume that he is waiting either for the
columns TO appear from the western frontier
for reinforcernents to arrive from the south.
There is no evidence that his line of communica-
lions has been broken by the raiding operations
Of the Free State commandoes that the
Dutch operations on the eastern flank have been
successful at any point General Roberts is wait
ing until he is fully prepared to drive the Beers
from Pretoria, and possibly to intercept por-
ton OF their force.
The mystery with which General French's
movements are invested has not been explained.
The military experts agree that he is the only
general on the British side who has devised new
tactics during the campaign. He has taught his
troopers TO ride fully ten yards apart and TO ad-
horse and rider when in motion being a less ex-
posed target than an infantryman The mount
ed infantry are trained by him to approach at
intervals in threes, one trooper holding three
horses while the other two fire their rifles and
al galloping on for a fresh rush. French's cav
airy tactics. in the judgment of experts, are
likely TO revoutionze modern warfare.