New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-09
VAR NEWS STILL MEAGRE.
SPECULATION IN LONDON AS TO THE
CHANCES OF SUCCESS ON
Icopy-,ght. 1900 by; The New-Tork Tribunal
IBT CABLE 10 IKE TRIsUSE.l
THE TUGELA

London Feb 8. a m--Probabiy there is no
Ibateu7ent OF the energy with which General
Eoberts's campaign has been opened in four
quarters Of tie field Of war but progress can
only be reported at a single point. It is not yet
clear whether General Macdonald's movement to
The west OF General Methuen's camp is any
thing more than q reconnaissance in force to
protect fresh advance from Belmont 10 Doug
las. and the skirmishing still in progress is in
decisive General Gatacre has strengthened his
outposts north and west of Sterkstrooni. which
we're threatened with attack, but has not nlassed
his forces for an advance toward the Orange
River General French was bombarding the
enemy's position vigorously yesterday from
coleskop. but his maneuvres have not yet been
crowned with success. The Dutch in that quar-
Ter have been heavily reinforced, and are no
longer acting on the defensive, but taking up
new positions between CoIesberg and Phillips
toWn, in the direction Of De Aar. the chief
British depot Of military supplies.
There Is no definite information respecting the
distribution Of the twenty thousand reinforce
nents with which General Roberts is opening
The campaign On the southern or western from
ter of the Free State.
OPERATIONS on THE TUGELA-
The only theatre where the drama Of war is
going O. without further pause is the Tugela
Tallsy. and even there the curtain is not lifted
ter anything more than confused and hurried
sAnpses. Semi-oficial explanations of General
BSlleTs movement offered on Wednesday night
have been fully confirmed by press dispatches.
Aolen Drift. where the real movement took place
across the river is indicated on the Intelligence
Bureau maps as sket or schiet Drift, short
osslance east Of Zwart Kop. While q feint at
iaek was made higher up, az Potgieters. the
min edge Of the wedge was driven into the
range of hills south and east Of Brakfontein-
he two hills occupied Monday were in
ffenehed by Lyttelton's brigade and held un-
Ger IRE from Brakfontein. Spion Kop and
Doorn kloof during the next two days. These
niils are On the direct road from Springfield TO
-1aaysrnith via skiet or Molen Drift
Ihere is no attempt TO turn the Dutch position.
General Buller is seeking 10 break his way
fhrough the Ditch line by means OF the ham
-lsi4hg power Of artillery. Large masses Of in
-SAtry were not exposed 10 attack during the
lFsl three DAYS. Artillery fire from thirty-six
guns az one point and seventy-two at another
vas concentrated upon the enemy's intrench
ns. General Butler was not in & hurry, but
content with holding the positions first
1~Esh ny Lyrtelton's and Hfidyard's soldiers. and
A moving his guns across the river 70 sup
mem The wedge had been driven in only
sest way, but il in the direction Of
ssaitn which was NOT more than ten miles
tas advanced British position. II II could
hammered forward another five raiies General
Mes men would be ena bled 10 cooperate
A General Butler The wedge, so long as ii
-slneo unbroken. operated 10 separate the
en forces Spion Kop and al Colenso. and
me OF cleavage was also the line Of least
1s'snee II Il could be not only held in place
- saso driven further il might draw the Dutch
- y Their fntrenched positions and compel
1n . concentrate on open ground near Lady
.-'Nh more favorable for British operations
H eilher colenso or spion Kop.
DEPENDS UPON BULLER's GUNS
ne Tsnes's" correspondent in a dispatch
Ashec this morning describes the stornling OF
she1ays position beyond the river by the
Aam Light Infantry as most gallant affair.
0lher accounts refer 20 the inpetuous eager
- " ne field batteries in bringing their guns
action The position first attacked was
- TAKEN with q rush at the point OF the
.oi-e1' Dnt not until two battaIions hae been
I-ec % heavy artillery and rife fire 10
. cover. Having occupied and intrenched