New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-15
TURNING CRONJE's FLANK.



and Seventh divisions are now encamped on the
ca~t bank OF that river.
The Sixth Division is Kelly Kenny's. which has
been reported to be cooperating with French
end Gatacre for the clearance of the country
south of the Orange River. His division is now
officially reported on the Riet River with the
Seventh Division fuckers. which has been be-
lieved TO be at Modder River These two divis-
ions, with French's cavalry brigade and the
new infantry brigade made up from battalions
lining the railway from De Aar Junction, are
now cooperating with General Methuens army
ia great fanking movement on the Riet below
Kimberley. II is concentration of British
forces on a large scale in an unexpected quar-
ter and the whole movement has been clev-
erly concealed that no military writer in Lon
don has been able 10 forecast the precise
direction Of Lord Robertss advance. What
is more important, the Dutch themselves have
apparently been misled. for they have weakened
their forces in a quarter where the attack viii
be made and strengthened them where the
British will remain the defensive.
HANNAY's SUPPORTING COLUMN.
This general Ranking movement has been sup
ported by a movement of mounted infantry
from the Orange River Railway crossing to Ra-
NAH. This a strong column, described
a mounted infantry brigade, and Colonel Han
nay, who commanded 1t, had an engagement
with the Beers the hills, and finally pushed
his force through to its destination Tuesday
with comparatively slight losses, the casualty
list amounting TO thirty-nine This entire
movement. with its concentration of nearly all
the British battalions outside Natal, and slen-
der columns left under Gatacre and Clements,
has been brought about by scientific strategy
under rigorous operation of the censorship,
the utility of which has been demonstrated at
last An army corps and strong auxiliary forces
have been massed where the enemy the
weakest, and the previous balance Of forces in
the military problem has been suddenly upset.
This column the Riet has a promise of po-
tency for the relief of Kimberley and a subse-
quent advance upon Bloemfontein. and is
great diversion of military resources that
Ladysmith may yet be rescued
At midnight report from Lord Roberts de-
scribed brilliant cavalry raid by General
French with three brigades OF cavalry and
strong force CT horse artillery, in which three
Boer Iaagers were captured, and a supporting
movement, conducted by General Gordon. by
which two Iaagers were taken These dashing
movements which recall the best work of
airy raids in the American Civil War. are proofs
that the British campaign has entered upon
entirely new phase. The relief of Kimb, ley will
evidently be the first work of Lord Roberts. and
march upon Bloemfontein the sequel TO il.
IN NORTHERN CAPE COLONY.
Press dispatches from Rensburg continue to
record with signs of depression the retirement of
the British forces from a position where they
have been menacng Colesberg and the bridges
across the Orange River. Mail letters written
three weeks ago describe the British force in
that quarter superior TO the Dutch army.
Special correspondents now complain in their
cables that the Beers outnumber the British,
have brought up heavy artillery and forcing
them back toward Naauwpoort. The evidence is
clear that General French has not been manoeu-
wiring in vain for many weeks. He has drawn a
large hostile force from Magersfontein into the
Colesberg district, where Lord Roberts is con-
teri with defensive tactics General French
himself. with his cavalry, is now at work
other line of operations. There will be an oppor-
1unity for an effective counterstroke If the
Dutch arn1ys of superior force succeeds in de-
feating Clements and in striking De Aar, but
there is nothing as yet in the dispatches to in
dicate that there is any great reverse impending
in that quarter.
An official bulletin states that the British posi-
tions were seriously attacked Monday, but
the troops appear from special dispatches to
have held their ground obstinately, and to have
retired with elaboration and in excellent order
10 a better defensive position.
Lord Dundonald's skirmish near Rustenburg
while trivial outpost affair, involving a dozen
wounded and prisoners receives an especial
report from General Butler to the War Office,
whereas he took his time about describing the
recent movement across the Tugela and sent
this dispatch through LORD Roberts. This is
fresh proof that he then acting under Lord
Roberts's orders and that there was no serious
intention Of relieving Ladysmith. Dundonald's
troopers were first driven back by a superior
force, and when reinforced returned the compli-
that Springfield is still held by Buffers cavalry
and field artillery, but that the Dutch have
crossed the river and are lowering about his
western flank. This is the closest approach
which has been made to confirmation of recent
runors OF extended hanking movement by
Jouberts army. l. N F
LOWERING on RULERS FLANK