New-York tribune., 1900-05-01
TACTICS STILL A MYSTERY.
LORD ROBERTS'S PLANS KEPT SECRET
MORE REPROACHES FROM
THE ANEER.
Copyright. 1900: BY The New-York Tribune
Inv rAPIr To TEE TRIRI-NFl

BY CABLE TO THE TRlBCNEj
London May i, l a. m.-Nether the War Of
fee nor the censor has thrown much light upon
the situation in the Free State during the last
twenty -four hours. Lord Roberts has reported
that the casualties at Thaba Nchu were few on
Saturday and special correspondents have de-
scribed the cavalry reconnaissance on Sunday
east OF the town which revealed the Beers in
considerable force on a line of steep kopjes.
The mobility of the Boer forces must be some
thing uncanny if all accounts worthy of
credence for they are reported as arriving at
Rrandfort Friday night from Wepener and
Dewetsdorp; as retiring 10 Ladybrand and re-
turning TO Thaba Nchu Saturday. and as
holding their ground in strong force in front of
General French on Sunday.
The British manpuvres are equally mysteri-
GUS general advance uorthward is described
as impending, Vet French IS alternately de-
scribed as harassing the enemy with artillery
fire and cavalry skrmishng and as thwarting
General De Vets efforts 10 turn the British
flank General French has four infantry bri-
sades and large cavalry force and clearly
must have some motive for haIting at Thaba
Nchu, and playing with the Beers, instead of
vigorously attacking them
POSSIBLE MARCH ON LADYBRAND.
The advance northward cannot be undertaken
until the force east of Thaba Nchu has been
dispersed, yet for three or four days there has
been shrmishing with the Beers rear guard. I'M
I'll II has been reinforced from Ladybrand If
Generals Brabant and Hart are moving north
ward from Wepener to Ladybrand these dfa-
tory tactics are inteligible since General French
IN that case would have an adequate motive
Tor holding and amusing the Boer force at
Thaba Nchu. The distance is fifty miles and
there Is reason TO believe that this march has
oeeh undertaken, although there is no direct
proof With Ladybrand occupied by General
mart General DE Vets retreat eastward would
Oe cur on. and General French would be in q
Posluon FOR attacking De Vets commanders
ano Following them northward
Inc situation. as far it could be made ont
CT H0tlght' was essentially unchaneed Three
0lflsl"hs Of Lord Robertss army were available
'oi oHect advance upon Brandfort by the rail-
way from Bloemfontein; two cavalry brigades
and the mounted infantry divisions were AZ
1h&pa Menu with the Eighth and Ninth Divis
iohs' the Third Division was within supporting
instance OF DeTetsdorD, and Generals Brabant
anu mart we're either at Wepener or on the
way 10 Lady brand. The Indications stll seemed
70 point TO turning movement from Thaba
Nchu northward TO the Vet River With the
SIKH Seventh and Ninth divisions co-operatine
near the railway line Lord Roberts.s secrets.
however are so well kept thai forecasts are of
little value
Experienced soldiers tell me that Lord Roberts
VIII secure the southern section of the Free
state against ralding operations by drawing a
00i0on across the country and permanently oc-
cupy-hE sannas Post. Thaba Nchu aud Lady
DF@hd' ana that he viii then push on as rapidly
as possible for The Vaal River. knowing that
S'eyhs men will not fight in the Trans
'aa4 ana that the strength OF the Dutch forces
vii be heavily reduced.
boEh FORCES REGAIN CONFIDENCE.
1he Boer army is well led and shows no sign
u aDahooning the struggle. It's Generals have
recovered from the panic caused by Paardebere
aAo nave demonstrated their ability to impede
"4e advance Of the British army and harase it