The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-07
SAME TACTICS.
JOubert and Steyn Prepare For
a Repetition
OF the Tugela River Campaign,
on the MOdder.
A LINE 1S MILES LONG
Has Been Stretched in Front Of
Lord Roberts.
aBlOemfOntein is Now Well
Covered From Attack.
A LINE Is MILES LONG

New York. March "A dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
The extent to which Gen. Joubert and
President Steyn have succeeded in
massing their forces is not yet clear
but they are covering Bloemfontein by
a long defensive line on the hills south
of the NIodder river. Their tactics are
the same as those which were employed
on the Tugela when the Dutch COM
mandoes covered a distance of Is miles
but the country is less favorable for
their system of defense. There is no
river in front of them and Lord Rob
erts has four mounted brigades with
horse artillery, with which their line
can be turned The seventh division,
under Gen. Tucker, has not yet been IN
action and will probably have the brunt
of the fighting if a battle precedes the
occupation of Bloemfontein, but II IS
probable that a frontal attack will be
avoided and that Gen. French's brig
AIDES win take a long circuit northward
SO as to shut off a retreat toward the
Vet river.
The Dutch forces, if defeated, will fall
back upon Winburg, and the high hills
between Ventersburg and Senekal, be-
tween the Vet and the ValSch rivers
the most formidable defensive position
in the Free State and lateral railways
lead up behind it at Bethlehem ana
KrOnstad The Vaal river is a long dis
tance behind these commanding kopjes
and the Witwatersrand ridge, of which
Johannesburg is the key, lies to the
north.
If Lord Roberts has sent a strong
body of infantry toward Vryburg and
Mafeking. it will naturally be reinforced
and converted in due time into a turn
ing column against that strong posi-
tion.
The results of the Dutch concentra-
tion are disclosed in the facility with
which the district south of the Orange
river has been cleared. Gen. Gatacre's
army is not strong, since an entire brig
ade was called back to reinforce Lord
Roberts corps, yet he has been able TO
take possession of StOrmberg without
struggle. The Beers had retreated from
that natural fortress to Rooikopand LETT
the road open to BurghersdOrp. The oc-
Cupation of StOrmberg gives to General
Gatacre the control of the railways
westward to AIiddIeburg and enables
him to advance northward toward the
Orange river.
BOUQUETS FROM BULLER.
Durham, March 6.-Gen. Butler in a
general order regarding the relief of
Ladysmith, says:
Two forces during the last few
months have striven with conspicuous
gallantry and splendid determination
to maintain in the honor of the queen
and the country. The Ladysmith garri-
son for four months held that position
against every attack with complete
success and endured many prlVatiOnS
with admirable fOrtitude. The relieving
force had to force its way through an
unknown country across unfortable
rivers and on almost inaccessible heights
face fully prepared, well armed and
tenacious enemy. BY the exhibition of
the truest courage, courage that burns
steadily besides flashing brilliantly, ac-
cOmplished its object besides adding
glory to this country.
'Ladysmith was successfully held and
relieved and the sailors and soldiers,
colonial and home born, who had done
this were united by one desire and in
spired by one patriotism"
The order congratulates both forces
on the martial qualities displayed and
thanks them for their determined effort.
Gen. Butler also sympathizes with the
relatives and friends of the gallant COM
rades who have fallen.
NO BOERS NEAR.
Ladysmith, March 5.-There are no
Beers within 20 miles of here. Plenty of
supplies are available and the troops
are quickly recovering their strength.
Many of the volunteers have been
granted furloughs.
JOUBERT IN COMMAND.
London, March IA dispatch to the
n. V.
March 4, says:
Gen. Joubert is reported to be in su-
preme command of the Boer forces
here.
Lady White, wife of Gen. Sir George
White, has been invested by the queen
with the order of the crown of India.
Lord Roberts still pauses in the
neighbOrhoOd OF OsfOntein, while stores.
remounts and fresh troops stream
toward him from the Cape The Brit
iGn nOGirinn also fr,
in the minor spheres of the campaign
Natal is clear Of Beers and Cape Colony
Is nearly SO.
The Beers seemingly are pushing the
course commended by the strategists
ana are concentrating to resist the Brit
1sh main army. Various messages from
correspondents with Lord Roberts re-
port that the enemy are Increasing con
tinually on his front, extending, as one
correspondent wires. eight miles and as
another says IS miles. The lowest estf-
mate of their numbers gives the Beers
from 5000 to 10000 men, with smaller
bodies moving north and south of the
British lines.
Each army is on both sides of the
MOdder river Although the Beers have
mounted eight guns on the tops of kop-
5es and appear to be too far away for
inspection, the British scouts report that
they are diligently using pick and shov-
el Military opinion is that their pres
ent position merely screens more easily
defended ones deeper in the region
None of the military experts endeav-
or to fathom Lord Roberts plans, but 1t
is suggested that he is quite willing to
give the Beers time to assembly all
their men in order to deliver a smash
ing blow more effectively.
The round robin in favor of the an
nexatiOn of the Transvaal and the Free
State. which is being promoted among
the supporters of the government in the
house OF commons. continues to receive
signatures. The signatories Of the me
mortal to Mr. Balfour affirm that. the
time has arrived for plain speaking in