The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-02
HOPING TO END THE WAR
British Successes in South Africa
Arouse Optimism.
DE Wet. However. StiII n Puzzle to
the English Troops south of the
Naal - Receives Many Recruits
Wherever He Appcars-situation
in the Vicinity of Hacsado;iorp.
fsneeial cahlerram-Ceprrighted. }


LONDON. Sept. 1.-The weeks opera
tion in South Africa have revived hopes
here of an early conclusion of the war.
These are based on General Roberts and
General Buffers comparatively easy dis
lodgment of Botha's army in its position
around Machadodorp and the capture of
Commandant Olivier near Winburg The
latter coup is the first British success
against raiding Boer commando. 1t was
due to the Queensland troops, who showed
an aptitude for Boer tactics for which
British cavalry is still hopelessly inca
pable, and may have important sequels in
abating the guerrilla warfare south of
the Vaal
1t would certainly be If General De Wet
were kept to the north. His whereabouts
is unknown. One report says that he is
still near Rustenburg with Delarey, while
another maintains that he is fastening to
Ladybrand, where 500 Beers are said TO
be preparing for an attack on the gar
rison. If the latter report be true Oil
vier's capture was barren success, as
De Vets complete mastery of the situ-
alton in the Orange Colony wherever he
chooses to appear will still certainly at
tract to him the entire Boer population.
Even where the latter have really sur
rendered all the arms they have, they win
Willingly help with horses. supplies, and
intelligence in regard to the British move
ment- 1t is safe TO say that while De Wet
? is still free and south of the Vaal, 10000
British troops will be detained there, who
could be moved into the Transyaal opera
tions were he caught The daring Boer
scout, Theron, tried one of De Vets tricks
this week in attacking the railway six
miles south of johannesburg, but it was
too near the big garrison there, and he
was easily repelled.
The entire operations outside the head
centre around Machadodorp, where the
main army is engaged, thus depend upon
the De Wet movement, though local fight,
ling will probably continue after his cap
ture or in his absence. There DOES not ap-
pear 10 be any other leader outside OF the
Boer Transvaal forces who has the prestige
to attract a strong fighting body with the
ability TO move over wide areas a. great
speed.
1t must be remembered that the Orange
Free Staters are taking a greater lisk
than the residents of the Transyaal in tleir
continued fighting. The former since the
annexation proclamation, have beccms
rebel colonists If they continue the war.
Moreover, were they disposed they have
no friendly or neutral territory adjoining
in which they can regather.
The position in the east Transvaal de-
pends greatly on whether Both2 viii make
his struggle at Lydenburg or at Barber
ton. The former is north and the latter
south Of the railway along which General
Roberts advanced from Pretoria. The pres-
ent halting place of the British main
column is in a healthy sheep farming dis
trict six thousand feet above Lorenzo
Marques. but il is the last favorable
ground they can expect. If they proceed
along the railway past Machadodorp into
the Glands River valley they will enter
a pestiferous. damp, and malarial hest
which continues until Delagoa is reached.
There is an oasis at Vallonder. where
the hospital is nearly always full, even
in peace time with stricken railway en-
ployes Indeed 1t is said that there are
sections Of railroads around komaLpooTt
where during the construction every
sleeper represents life sacrificed to ma
laria.
The Beers are likely to destroy the
great tunnel there, in which case the Brit /
ish troops will be delayed in the midst Of
the sick district. The only other road to
Iaydenburg from Machadodorp is over
mountain passes inaccessible to an army
and only practicable for a mail coach with
frequent relays. Even that ends in cul
de sac at Pilgrims Rest.
II the Boer forces choose Barberton that
will take the campaign south Of the rail-
way and nearer the Natal base. The POSI-
tion there is such that even Botha's diInin-
ished army viii probably for a time hold
General Roberts as they did General Butler
in Natal. II is moderate estimate to say
that the campaign will last till toward the
end of the year