The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Possibilities of the Coming Week
Pointed Out by Wilkinson.

LONDON. May 2O.-Spencer Wilkinson,
reviewing the situation in South Africa for
the Associated Press at midnight says:
1.-The relief of Mafeking relieves Lord
Roberts of embarrassment. 1t was proba-
bly, necessary for him to move north from
Bloemfontain a little before he quite
ready in order that his pressure on the
Beers should prevent their reinforcing the
besiegers or detailing large forces TO arrest
the relief column. He has now nothing to
consider but the means of ending the war.
1t is a mere matter of time. Whether the
Beers stand south of the Vaal. on the Vaal,
at Pretoria or at Lindenberg, they must
be crushed, for they have only between
10000 and $4,000 men, and Lord Roberts has,
counting his own column and those of Gen.
erals Rumble. Butler. Hunter and Methuen.
not less than $4,000 men. all of whom short
~ will be ready to invade the Transvaal
position.
AT the date OF the last kilograms re-
ceived Lord Roberts was at Kroonstadt
with his mounted troops spreading out
some forty of fifty miles on either flank
General Rumble was at Clocolan ready to
move on Ficksburg and drive back the Free
Staters. who. in diminished numbers still
hold the field. Hunter at Fourteen Streams
with his advance guard at Christina
and Buffers advance guard at Laing's mex,
with his leading infantry division at Ingogo
in the rear.
General Buffers advance at Laings mex
unopposed is important. for it shows that
the Beers are demoralized, and possibly
means that General Butler will get through
the mountains into the TransvaaI without
serious opposition. in which case no re-
sistance can be made to him before he
reaches Middleburg
"Of the destination of General Hunters
force 1 cannot at present judge Some
force will be needed to open the railway
TO Rhodesia, and in a fortnight forces may
be wanted northwest of Pretoria. Posi-
bly,. therefore, the advance to Christina
was mere demonstration to distract the
enemy. 1t is said the Beers intend to re-
treat by Lydenburg with view to gain
time. always the one purpose of the de-
Tense Lord Roberts therefore must wish
TO prevent that.
General Butler cannot come up TO the
Kroonstadt & Pretoria Railroad in time to
stop Boer retreat. though if the Beers
stand at or near the vaal his advance must
IN time compel their surrender or retreat.
II, therefore, Lord Roberts thinks the time
opportune to try and end the war he may
deliver prompt blow against the Beers
south OF the Vaal or the Rhonester or at
Blaauwboschpoort. This he would do by
wheeling the cavalry wing so as to encircle
the Beers, while at the same time push
ing his division rapidly to the front. Such
move would have to be a surprise. Its
object would be to capture this whole Boer
force. and If successful II would probably
bring about the submission of the Trans
vaal.
IF this is the plan. which possibly may
be the case, it would be executed with
out delay and great coup would be struck
before May "a the Queens birthday
There is no telegram from Lord Roberts
to-day, which looks as though he were on
the move. Failing a. sudden stroke of this
kind the possibility is that Lord Roberts
would wait few days until General Bull
er was across the Vaal and cooperate
with inn