The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-17
CRONJE'S RETREAT.


The Latest news from the Modder River
country teBisAgs that cronje is in iuli Ie-
treat towand Bloemton5ein, and that
Kelly Kenny'ss division is attacking him.
This is the. most important information
possible. II shows, what We had Suspected
that the Boer general had withdrawn most
Of his forces from Magarsfontein before
the movement Of Roberts began. Probably
he had previously reno yed his heavy gins,
although it is possible mat he did not eN-
pect his opponent to move as soon or as
swiftly as happened. and so there is
bcre chance that If BADLY defeated in re
treat Cronje's artillery may fall into the
hands of the British.
II Lord Roberts is in a position TO fol-
low Cronje closely to do which the caval-
ry division must be employed, it will be a
highly useful line Of action. Because. as
Cronje retreats he will destroy any wire
cntangiements or other distractions which
may have been prepared for the invaders
and viii have no time to replace them The
net result will be that the British march
across the veldt will be rendered vastly
easier than might have been expected. We
are not strongly impressed with the idea
that Cronie has all or most Of his old Mod
/ der force with him. We fancy that as lately
( as ten days ago he sent strong column
/ from Magarsfontein to re-enforce Delaraye
and Grobler at Colesberg and Stormberg,
+ He may finally have left only enough men
/ in front of Methuen to keep up appear
4 auces.
! one exciting element In the situation Is
! furnished BY the steady retreat under
attack Of General Clements from Rens'
I burg. It appears that he had TO leave tha
( town so hastily as 20 force him to aban
don his supplies. The BOer movement is
plainly aimed at the British railway com
municatious and large force may b.
needed TO check it, As things look, VI
may have to wait day or two before w
can secure The data needed to estimate III
military value Of the successful prelimi
nary British advance.
Nothing OF much Importance reaches II
from Natal. Butler appears TO have with
drawn completely from the upper Tugel
region. Reports from Cheveley indicat
the imminence of some movement an
Z tulOAldl ODlulUu ldlufl iANOAa AAAf AAN
. that the British general may make an
- other Ranking movement against Jouber
q I this time 10 the east Anything may ;
g true OF a situation concerning which y
i arc permitted to know but little and thu
2 not reliably. II we were to theOrize at a
on the matter. we should say that II
S time is hardly ripe for Butler to strike
l. serious blow, unless IL should happen th;
ID his adversary became weakened By draf
e upon his force to defend Bloemfontein-
20 that event. of course. IL would be his bu
- mess to assume the offensive as yigo
ID ously as possible. In the course Of Il
next two or three DAYS We shall prObab
q be able 10 see bow important the Bo
a movement toward the Central Rsilw'
al may be. and 10 learn how considerable
, force Of. Beers. il any. have been shut
- AZ Magsrsfontein. II the menace 10 d
n base lines is not a grave one, and he h
.v no enemies 10 fight on the Modder, IN
MS Lord Roberts ought to be able 10 produ
f. developments rapidly and force the 30
As hand generally. II Ladysmith is reliev
e. it Is more likely to happen in consequen
~ J of J0ubcrt's Withdrawal to resist the
ed vasiou OF the Free State than on accou
o, of anything Sir Redvers Butler can do
t- way OF direct attack