New-York tribune., 1900-01-02
A STRATEGIC POINT TAKEN.
ColEsBERG'S CAPTURE NAY HAVE M
PoRTANT BEARING on CAMPAIGN.
tco5ynEht 1900: By The New-York Tribune.l

rce5yright 1900: By The New-Yo Trbunel
LBr CABLE TO TRIBUNBl
London. Jan q / a. m.-The new year has
opened with a brilliant exploit by the only Brit
ish general now in South Africa who has not
been beaten General French has been operat-
ing with a mobile force during the last month
from Naauw Poort to protect Lord Methuens line
OF communications by keeping the Free State
force from Colesberg fully occupied. French's
force while too feeble for frontal attacks upon
a strong position, has been constantly in motion
around Arundel. alternately advancing and fall
ing back but always manGuvring cautiously
and skilfully After threatening the enemy's
communications with the Orange River and
compelling the Dutch to retire from Rensburg,
General French decided upon sudden stroke.
AS the story is told in Central News and other
dispatches in this mornings papers, he ordered
the mounted force and the artillery to advance
rapidly on Sunday night with the infantry in
wagons behind them and by daybreak had sue
ceeded in turning the enemys position at Coles
berg. The infantry and batteries made feint
attack on the front whilc the light artillery and
the cavalry were massed the right flank
The Dutch camp surprised by the
pected night march of which it had not received
warning. and the Free Staters did not attempt
TO defend their position but retreated eastward,
leaving Colesberg in possession of General
French's forces.
VALUE OF THE VICTORY
This exploit brings the British troops within
striking distance of Norvaps Bridge and
Botha's Drift. Apart from the occupation
Colesberg is important border town and il
the town can he held and the bridge and drift
secured the two gates leading into the Free State
viii be under British guard.
In advance of the arrival OF Lord Roberts
and the concentration of the Sixth and Seventh
divisions for a march upon Springfontein the
most important strategic point in the Orange
Republic. General Frenchs occupation of Coles
berg is a distinct gain for the British cause
Even il il vas brought about cheaply and with
out a pitched battle it is also of the highest
value an object lesson of what British gen
erals can do when they go about it in the right
way. and with mobile force adapted for oper-
ating against mounted infantry.
A RESULT OF MOBILE FORCES
General Gatacre attempted TO surprise the
enemy at Stormberg by a night march, but
was entrapped in ambuscade because he did
rot have a mobile force capable Of good scout
ing. General French attempted the same tao
tics with mounted force. and succeeded in
ehuapplns MS WHY enemy. who had ALLEN back
from one intrenched position only to be sur
prised at daybreak on the second line. Since the
week Of disaster military croakers have been
calling loudly for some heaven born general
who would point the way to BloenfoIHein and
Pretoria General French's success IN outma-
nnuvring the enemy is proof that supernatural
powers are not required for this campaign. but
mobile forces led by generals who know how to
direct them with wary skill.
FRENCH's FORMER WORK
In only one battle has there been anyt hing
like flank attack or turning movement
That was al Elandslsagte. in which guns and
prisoners were .aken by the British That
battle planned and won by General French,
whose staff College training came out brilliant
ly IN recent operations from Naauwpoort
TO Colesberg. He has been constantly ma
aeuvring. and within forty-eight hours has
compelled the Dutch to evacuate two good po-
sitions by turning movements in place Of frontal
attacks His success is due 10 good leadership
snd TO the mobility OF his force. and it illus