The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-26
LORD ROBERTS TACTICS.
Meeting the beers with Their Own
System of Fighting, hut In Larger
Force-SituatiOn Outlined.

NEW YORK. April ga dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
The news from the Free. State presents
clear view Of the situation on Monday
night, and partial glimpse of yesterdays
Vision remains at Karee siding, with the
reserves at Wtnburg One brigade has
moved eastward The Sixth division is en-
caIhped at Bloemfontein.. Gen. Pole-Ca-
airy. has occupied Leeuw kop. after driv-
ing the Beers from. series OF strong po-
sitions without meeting with serious re-
Gen. Hamilton, occupied the water works
and the Beers held the line of hills further
east. Gen. French sent out cavalry to-
ward Dewetsdorp yesterday and infantry
followed. communication being opened
with Sir Henry Rumble during the after
Gen. Rumble was still marking time in
front Of Dewetsdorp. with the Beers well
intrenched. Brabants colonials. with
Harts brigade supporting them, had flank
and forced the enemy to retire. They
had then continued the advance toward
Wepener. having had running fight with
within eight miles Of Wepener at noon
yesterday, and were In a fair way to re-
lieye Col Dalgety's, plqcky Australians.
rently preparing to retreat, without wait
ing to meet tho relieving force.
These various operations are illustrated
board, both armies being echeioned at four
stations. Gen Brabant. In the southeast.
IL ready TO make a move which will secure
wards Dewetsdorp or Ladybrapd Gems.
Rumble and French. In the two middle
squares. are preparing to drive the enemy
ward Thaba N'chu. and Gen. Tucker, in
the north. Ia threatening Brandfort- The
result of theee operations Is favorable to
cess apart from the relief OF Wepener.
which has virtually been effected. The
military experts have been hoping that
i'S but there l. no proof that
the lines Of retreat are cut on either from
Wepener, pewetsdorp or korn spruit. al
though one road has been blocked by Gen.
The effect Of the British operations. II
there be no setback, win be the clearance
sns Ronsss tact tactics are de-
vised He meets the Beers In their own
way. but In superior strength. Their plan
in touch with one another. He adopts
the same system. placing his divisions in
echelon and outnumbering them at every
ierestins touches. aithoush the fightins
| has been desultory and indscisive. Thou
sands OF Basutos are following the forces
sSs ss On s
s sas point points Of the gam. Ths %hits races
I are ONSrlOK tn0 Didcka
sport. even II they are not helping to
| ChristIaniss them.
Lord Roberts report at midnight con-
| tanned lucid summary OF the situation,
with one or two now features. The Ninth
| division had been sent from Bloemfontein
10 support Gen. Hamiton's mounted bril-
gadc at the waterworks, as the Beers were
| holding the outlying hills In some force.
Gen Maxwelrs brigade of the Seventh
| division had also moved eastward and
/ seized the hills covering the wagon bridge
! over the Modder river at kranz braal.
! thereby closing an important line OF the
| Boer retreat northward from various po-
sltions In the south. There is still, how
ever, another road open to them further
east
The missing patrol of the dragoon
! guards had rejoned Gen. French. Lord
| Roberts was evidently well satisfied with
| the situation and the movements of the
| entire army disclose unity of direction
! and ciesrness OF purpose.
/ The Bocrs are apparently attempting the
l diversion IN the direction OF Lord Methuen,
/ having reinforced their commanders in that
| quarter.
| ported on the way to Kimberley from
! Cape Town