The evening times., 1900-03-16
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
FRIDAY. MARCH 16. 1900.
The south African situation.

The south African situation.
Reviewing the events Of the past week or
ten days in South Africa. it must be con
oeded that a great deal has been accom-
plished by Lord Roberts with relatively
little bloodshed. II is perhaps too early
TO say that the occupation Of Bloemfontein
ard the establishment of a military go:-
ernment in the Orange Free State has re-
suited in detaching that territory from the
Boer cause. But It is apparent that it viii
have some such effect. at least. in part.
Il is known that a very large element in
the Free State were opposed to the alliance.
and have never approved Of the way. Since
hostilities began facts have transpired to
show that President Steyn and his imme-
Giate political associates were anything but
STRAIGHTFORWARD I'm dealing with the Legis-
lsture or people. who. indeed. were dragged
and dragooned into war with England
against which power the Free Staters had
no grievance. This conservative element
Ted by Mr.. Frazer and many of the most
intelligent men OF the country. may now be
expected TO seek peace, knowing that the
sooner that is secured the easier will be
the terms and conditions affecting the fu-
ture of the colony. Steyu is reported al
Kroonstad trying to rally his forces: but
with the region south of the Vaal certain
10 be in undisputed British control within
a very short time, the chances are that
most OF the Free State farmers will abar-
don a hopeless cause and return to their
homes and herds.
n~F Pol h1g
tuuate in some minor but. nevertheless.
greatly important achievements Of his sub
ordinate officers. The success Of French's
cavalry in getting around to the north cf
Bloemfoutein and cutting the railway PIE
vented large accumulation of rolling
stcck rom being taken away By the re-
treating Beers. Il was utilized at on-e
by the British commander IN providing
transport for General Pole-Carew with TWO
thousand men OF the Guards Brigade and
some mounted infantry, who were sent
south to effect junction with General Cat
acre north Of the Orange River. The d1r-
ing i5at OF arms performed BY Lieutenant
Popham and some men of the Derbyshire
Regiment. i'm saving Bethulie Bridge from
destruction by the Beers. enabled Gatacre
to cross the river. He had previously
come In touch with General Brablnt at
Burshersdorp. General Clements is sup
posed to have crossed into the Free State
at Noryals Pont. as the Beers are report
ed retreating northeastward from DO
CoIesberg and Bethulie. They may or may
rot know OF the fall OF Bloemfontein. In
any case there appears TO be some chance
Carew and Gatacre.
So Il will be seen that before many days
have passed Lord Roberts will probably
aave the southern half Of the Free State
clear OF enemies, and will be able to or
ganize his communications with the coast.
Below Bloemfontein it is evident that he
does not anticipate any further serious
trouble. This is shown in his turning back
Wsrren's division. which was starting by
sea from Durham to re-enforce Catacre and
Clements on the Orange River nd order
ing it to the Natal front again.
AS far as one can Judge from dispatches.
active military operations need not be ex-
pected for ten days or two weeks to come.
Lord Roberts viii probably rest his main
body a BlOemfontein, reOrganize his trans
port. and keep his cavalry busy scouting
and reconnOitring in the directions of
kroonstad and Winburg. The London
military critics do not look for any impor-
liant movement on the part Of Sir Redvers
Butler until his superior is ready for an
advance to johannesburg and Pretoria.
That JOubert should turn about and take
the offensive is considered out Of the ques-
tion. The remainder of the war will
doubtless be mostly confined to vigorous
defence OF the Transvaal territory. finally
ending with the siege OF Pretoria. for
which the most comprehensive and scien-
tifc preparations have heen under way for
years.