The suburban citizen., 1900-02-24
ROBERTS OPERATIONS.
Spencer wilkinson Says There Is No
Doubt About the Relief OF
of Kim hcrley.


of Kimberley.
London, (By Gable. )-spencer Wilkinson,
the military expert. reviewing the situation
In South Africa. says:
Lord Roberts has begun this campaign
by striking at the principal Boer forces in
the western theater Of war-that of Com
mandant Cronje, covering the siege OF KIM
oerley.
I'm little over three weeks Lord Roberts
had completed the organization Of his force.
He then quietly massed some $4,000 men.
four infantry divisions and a cavalry divi-
sion. near the selected point, reaching Mod
Ter River Station on Friday. He must have
put his troops in motion with the least posi-
bic delay, for on Monday the action began.
Il was an attempt to turn the Boer position
by march round its left, or eastern, flank.
ION Monday General Frenchs cavalry
seized the passages OF the Biet River, south
EAST Of Jacobsdal, and were at once followed
up by two infantry divisions. On Tuesday
The cavalry moved north, and seized the
crossings OF the Modder River, the infantry
following at their heels.
Tho Relief of Kimberley.
"On Thursday when one division Of infan-
try was on the Modder and the other close
behind it, between the two rivers, the cav
airy moved forward toward Kimberley, dis
persed the besiegers from the southeastern
front, and opened connection with the town.
Tine same day the troops from the old
camp at Modder River Station opened up
communication with Jacobsdal, which had
already been taken. Thus Lord Roberts had
semicircle around the Boer position at
Magersiontein, from Kimberley on the north
% Modder River Station on the SOUTH and
possibly tho line was prolonged from Mod
Ter River Station TO the northwest, so that
General French might hope, by passing
through Kimberley to complete the circle,
and thus enable Lord Roberts TO enyelop
and capture Cronie's whole force.
This was the result hoped for. The plan
was brilliantly conceived and vigorously ex-
9cuted. But Cronie has been able to evade
the blow. When Gen. French reached Kim.
berley it was found that Cronjo with the
bulk OF his force had moved Off toward
Bloemfontein, apparently by the Boshoi
road, or by shorter route along the north
bauk Of the Modder
Cronjc Left I'm Haste.
"Ihe laagers and stores abandoned and
the convoy captured proved that Cronie left
in haste, and one Of General Kelly-Kenny's
trigades was last reported as pursuing and
engaging the Boer rear guard. General
Kitchener is experimenting the pursuit,
which may DO effective.
"Of the first and ninth divisions no men.
tion has been made in the kilograms, and the
Inference is that part OF the design is as
yet undisclosed. Possibly their function is
to complete the circuit to the west Per
haps, too. a force Is making to the eastward
south OF the Modder river, to intercept
Cronje, though. as the mounted Beers cover
thirty miles a day, no infantry can catch
them. A part of the Boer forces may have
retreated to the northwest, toward Blrkly.
and will, no doubt, be pursued.
There can be no doubt that Kimberley is
relieved, and that the railway will soon be
reopened. This Is a success; but the more
valuable result-the destruction OF part OF
the Boer army-has not been secured. II
cannot be said in the circumstances. that
this is attributable to weakness in the Brit
tsh generalship which seems to have been
excellent.
There are disquieting features in the
news. The capture by Beers, said to have
come from Coles berg, Of n large British con
yoy may diminish the mobility Of the British
force and Is proof Of the judgment and
energy OF the Boer leaders. The vigorous
attack on the British post at Rensburp
shows that the Beers mean to reply to Lord
Roberts advance by striking at his commu.
nicatons Until the issue Of the operations
around Kimberley is fully known it is use.
less to speculate upon the next move OF
Lord Roberts. The fact that Kimberley has
been relieved and that Cronje has to make
hasty retreat are to the good side Of the ac.
count. but the fact that Cronie has not, al
any rnte up to the date OF the latest tele.
grams, been well beaten in a fight. is q dis
appointment. The opinion is widespread
that the Invasion OF the Free State will bring
the Boer army or at least the Free State
contingent out Of Natal