The evening times., 1900-02-08

The curtain has riser on the Opeuin of
Field Marshal Lord Roberts campaign 10
so4tb Africa. and at last there is news "
operations both in Natal and the west. %
;ar former Sir Redvers BulIe~ ~---- . -
~---- '-r.-"- - -nc lessons of expert
cnc9. and ia be doing some good tactical
work. I'm striyras ~trast with his from
al attack at Cclen5o. on Monday. as the
ness desps tohes relate, he made "a feint
sttucl I'm the direction Of Brakfontein.
which is to the right OF Spion Eop. and
succeeded i'm occupying the Beers atten-
tion while his right centre crossed
the Tugela on pontoou hastily con
struclod. and by four O'Clock in
the afternoon nad assaulted and occu-
pied Krantz Klcof a continuation OF
the Brakfoutein ridge. On Tuesday the
Beers attempted TO retake the position.
but were repulsed. The casualties In The
- movements are placed at two hundred
a1d fifty. not heavy price TO pay for the
advantage gained il il amounts to all that
the British authorities seem to think it
does. We are without definite information
as TO- the further course Of events except
that General Butler reports his progress
as momcntarily checked as the Beers are
in force in front Of Krautz Kioof which
also is enHladed by the batteries on Spion
Kop and Doom KlooL
The British tactics. as represented i'm the
dispatches. appear TO be about as We con
iectured they would be O week ago Butler
has developed his right centre and driven
q wedge into Jouberts line. Whether he
can hold Krantz Klo0f or not, is perhaps
a question: but if he can. it should I've
possible for him TO pursue the advantage
with a fair chance of dividing the Boer
forces. and even the probability of his
success i'm such an undertaking would be
serious for his antagonist. a few miles
gained now would greatly change the
local situation. It is probable thar Sir
George White is trying to execute a con-
forming movement. There are good rea-
sons for thinking hat be was actively
engaging the besiegers south or southwest
OF Iadysmilh on Sunday This was doubt
less with the intention Of drawing the
Beers from Buffers front. and very likely
may have rendered it easier for the British
right centre to carry Krantz Kloof.
Lcrd Duudonald is reported in the Ac-
ton Homes-Tintwa area. and he is prob
ably watching for an opening to get In
touch with Sir George White in the Lady
smith hills. in case the oper,tions TO tht
east should serve to weaken the BOer right
materially. II it we're possible for BuIlel
10 drive his wedge home. and thus GU
.s--n.N .-r. q
portunity for White 10 effect a sortie {,
the west and catch the Boer right betweeI
his own and Dundonald's forces. Their,
are strong indications OF intelligent co
operation between the relief column an,
the Ladysmith garrison, which are calcu
lated TO bolster opinions favorable tc Bal
ler's ultimate success.
Both Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener
have gone TO the front The general for
ward movement Is believed TO have begun
The Beers have again attacked Genera
Gatacre's position at SterkstrOom an,
fighting was in progress at that point OF
"Wednesday. French is strongly posted il
'front.' of Colesberg. We DO not hear any
thing further of the infantry force re
Gently reported as on its way from Naauy
Poort to seize Norval's Pont, and it ma,
be several days before any part Of tn
plan OF Lord Roberts definitely develops
Probably the situation on Modder River /
suggestive Of a part at least of the gen
cral scheme How far Lord Methuen ma
have been re-enforced is not announced
but he must be greatly stronger in troop
and artillery than when he fought IN
battle Of Magarsfontein. His pres
ent movements indicate that h
is about to make a vigorous attack ol
Cronje's left in the direction OF Jacobs
dal. doubtless supported by column whicl
It Is srrmised Roberts has sent up iron
the Cape. The new force would be apt &
move across froh the railway az Hone.
Nest Kloof, or in ;hat neighborhood, an,