The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-02

New Year Day brought the people Of
Great RrI'ain the first ray OF South Afri-
can comfort they have been allowed 10 en-
JOY for a long time in the shape Of news
that Major General French had driven the
Beers out of Colesberg by a clever flank
ing movement The incidental engage
ment was unimpOrtant. considered as a
fight, but the adventure as a whole reflects
great credit upon French. and will settle
the point in the British mind official OF
unofficial. that there is but one way to
conduct the war in South African. and that
is to render the British army at least as
mobile as its antagonist.
For weeks French has been maneuvring
from his base at Naauw Poort with a small
column Of troops which fortunately in
cludes some regular cavalry. and. what is
even better considerable number Of ir-
regular horse. the most efficient soldiers
in the theatre of war today BY keeping
constantly ON the move thanking threaten
ing. retiring. and never allowing the Beers
10 know where ne would turn up next. he
has prevented them from concentrating
their forces ON MoJhusu.s rear and line OF
communications. and az length has sue
oesded i'm turning the important strategic
position OF CoIcsberE and taking ir.
French is the one British general IN the
field who has not been defeated. He has
had tie advantage of q mobile column
and has made The most Of iJ. But IL would
De injustice TO him TO assume that the
single fact mentioned has been the sole
cause of his success. Whatever may De
said OF his colleagues. French has shown
strategic ability wherever he has been
stationed. from The beginning Of ho-uii-
ties This was demonstrated first at the
battle Of Elandslaage where his tactics
resulted in doubling up tho Boer left So
FAR he stands oUt In brilliant contrast with
the other Iold com handlers. VINO. how
ever ar, not to De- criticised too severely,
because vs have no means of knowing
what they would NJ could have done. il de-
feat HAD not been blGndcriugIy planned for
them i'm the London War Office in advance
II French has OF can quickly secure the
force necessary 10 hold ColesbUrg, its la'm
possession should exert marked influ-
,ncc on the fortunes OF war i'm the central
field. The town is near the Orange River
ON the direct line to Bloemfontein. The
bridge al NOrvals Point. reported intact
at latest accounts. is within easy distance
Of Colcsherg. and if il could be seized and
protected would be Of much advantage 10
The British. 70 is as yet doubtful whether
the Beers ON their retreat crossed over It
into the Free state. Ercn if they did. IL
may be doubted that they would destroy it.
as that would hamper their own operations
against Northern Cape Colony. and prob
ably would appear unnecessary while
French IS confined to the south side Of the
river by the necessity Of guarding The stra-
tegic triangle, and Of keeping an open door
behind Ncthuen So. it is possible that
he may yet have a chance to save the
bridge by again outwitting his opponent
and jumping IL at the proper time
Nothing Of prime Importance is az hand
from other points. The arrival Of an OoeIn
liner at Durham with two thousand fresh
troops c-eases Sir Rcdvcrs Builer'r force
TO thirty thousand o. more men, and be IS
now stated TO have sixty guns. including
some Of the hOwitzers from the second
siege train. The opinion continues ina.
he is about to move and that he is booked
for desperate fight. wherever he may
elect to attempt the passage OF the Tugeia
River.