The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-08
IN SOUTH AFRICA.
The despatch from THE SUN correspondsnt
az Cape Town. Announcing the cutting Of the

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The despatch from The SUN correspondent
at Cape Town. announcing the cutting OF the
telegraph wires TO Bloemiontein. is very prob
ably correct, The numbers and activity OF tho
Boercommnndos that have thrown them selves
OH lord Roberts's communications not only
make II quite certain that they will cut on his
telegraph service II they can. but will seize the
first opportunity OF lnterrupting his railway
communication, and they will be the moro
urged to this. even at some sacrifice.
because they must be fully aware OF the
crippled condition OF his cavalry and mounted
Infantry, BY cutting his railway COM
munications they will be- able to arrest
N" supply Of remounts now on their way to
Lord Roberts, and to put a stop for the pres
tnt, at least, to the threatened advance to Pre-
torla. The rapidity with which the Beers have
recovered from the blow inflicted on them In
the surrender OF Gen. Cronje and the occupa-
ton OF Bloemfontein is m ore than astonishing.
and tho boldness OF the conception OF the plan
they are now carrying out with such extraor-
binary vigor. proves their new lender TO be
possessed OF the highest order OF military
genius which. like the great Napoleon. he in
fuses into those charged with the execution OF
his designs.
The telling blow delivered at Korn Spruit Is
followed by the stroke OF last Wednesday at
Eejdersburg. and bet ween the two the Beers
have carried away from the vicinity OF the
largest British army collected in the field
within the century. seven guns and nearly
a thousand prisoners beyond pursuit. 1t 10
not surprising that the London press IL
s%necring at the phrase in which Lord
Roberts described his last mishap. but when
it Is remembered that this Is not
n military war in which means are
rIgidly adapted to an end. but that Lord
Roberts and his Generals are urged forward.
Ike hard ridden steefs. beyond their powers,
by the clamors Of the owners OF the gold mines
Of the Rand, il is Just possible that other un-
fortunate occurrences may bring leisure for
reflection to the British people. who do not even
yet appear to understand the gravity Of the
adventure on which they 80 light-heartedly
embarked. The last report from Lord Roberts
regarding the Reddersburg affair gives no
details except Of the losses Of the British.
According to 1t the fighting does not seem to
hay" been very desperate. as oat OF the
total British force Of 59l. only forty-hve officers
and men were killed or wounded. The rest
surrendered. The Beers are now reported to
be giving their attention to Gen. Braba "a
column, which Is at Wepene. at the southwest
'lu = VI bdSutpIuuu, uul II u ItuIcd ehVS
may succeed in turning his position and isolat-
ing him. in which case the road to the railway
bridge on the Orange River at Bethulie would
be omen to them. A panic seems to have seized
the Basutos employed by the British on rail-
way work. and they are hurrying back to their
own country.
The campaign has undoubtedly entered on a
most unexpected phase. and II will be exceed
ingly interesting to see how long the Boers can
keep on their present career without q serious
check. Their immunity for the present lies in
the immobility OF the bulk Of Lord Roberts's
army, but the growing danger Of his situation
may Impcl him to gather what force he can 70
strike a rapid blow at the Boer base OF opera
tions IN the north, while the large force they
have projected behind him to the south is be-
yond giving assistance. Gen. Butler In Natal
may also be called to for help.
There il something in the present situation
thar begins to suggest Tint those critics we're
! i.ht who hold that tho main British dcploy-
meut shOul have been w the RAILWAY to
MafekinE, and no advance made into the Free
State except direct from the Orange River TO
cover the flank II tho main movement. The
mobility and u%hiquity Of the Beers. however.
make it doubtful whether any plan could
assure immunity from unfortunate occur
rences.