Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-02
ONE BRITISH VICTORY.

To the signal ability of General
French belongs the credit of the only
two victories of consequence the Drlt-
ish forces have won against the Beers.
He routed the Beers at Elandslaagte
and has just recaptured Colesburg by
a series of brilliant manoeuvres climax
ed by a night attack that took the
Beers completely by surprise. And
great is the rejoicing in London thereat.
1t is the first time since the begin
ming of this bloody war that the Eng
lish capital has had an opportunity to
pause and smile in the midst Of its
tears, lamentations and curses hurled
at the war office for mismanagement.
Unfortunately for the British, how
ever, their jubilation has not in this
case very firm foundation, as the war
Office doubtless duly recognizes.
French's Colesburg victory is very
small oasis in vast desert of defeat
and simply restores to the British one
of their own small towns in northern
Cape Colony, which the Beers had
previously captured with ease. 1t was
not disastrous, although complete,
rout for the Beers, whose losses were
very few.
London's wild rejoicing over this
small victory may seem rather unac-
countable to the outside world, although
1t is attributed to a hysterical revul-
metropolis of late has been subjected
to and to the fond hope it may give
rise to in sanguine minds that it is
the turn of the tide of victory in South
Africa.
Meanwhile, it must be borne in mind
that all the fighting UP to date has
been on British soil, which the Boer
forces have successfully invaded on
the three separate lines of fighting to
the extent of from fifty to one hundred
miles. Colesburg is still fifteen miles
from the Boer border, although it is
hoped in London that the recapture
will clear the way of the British on the
middle line to Orange river, the divid-
ing line between Cape Colony and Or
ange Free State.
On this. middle line the least of the
Sighting has been done, although here
q was that Gen. Gatacre met his seri-
Gus reverse. And by this line OF cam
paign also it is the longest distance to
Pretoria. the Boer capital.
Nevertheless, while Gen. Frenchs
victory may be Insignificant, credit is
due to that officer alone for the only
successes of the British arms in this
war. And, by the way, 1t also points
serious need OF the British-rapid
means of transportation and mobiliza-
ton. The fact that he had these at
command and utilized them wisely is
the secret of Gen. French's success in
this instance. He not only attacked
with cavalry and horse-artillery, but
uSSu WuSOlto " 1nONC Ills lAldulIy anu
consequently was able to out-manoeu-
vre and completely surprise the Beers,
whose own equipment for rapid mobili-
cation and sudden and complete change
of base is superb and is largely the
secret of their success elsewhere in out
generating the slower British.
What the latter plainly need in South
Africa is horsefiesh and also several
more officers like General French, who
know how to utilize it.
Unfortunately for the British, how
ever. Gen. French is farthest distant
frpm the Boer capital and his isolated
Aguccesses come where they do the Brit
~ the least good and the ers the
A British victor ap the