The evening times., 1900-01-22
MONDAY. JANUARY %, 1900.
The Operations Before Ladysmith.

The Operations Before Ladysmith.
The news today OF General Sir Redvers
Buffers operations for the relief OF Lady
smith is much more important than might
appear on the surface. 1t entirely justifes
the theory OF events On the extreme British
left advanced in these columns this morn
ing and sunday morning. Whatever may
be the ultimate results OF the general
movement and they may be yet greatly
affected by possible counter movements on
the part OF General Joubert and his dis
tinguished military adviser. Count de VII
lcbois-M -MareUil. it may be set down as an
undeniable fact that Butler has gained a
substantial and. according to present ap-
pearauces. a decisive advantage equivalent
to victory. in the fighting of Saturday
Nnd Sunday. His brief report dated at
Spearman's Camp, near Potgieter's Drift.
last night is modest soldierly, and to the
point. lie might be doomed to defeat for
anything that could be positively prediCated
upon his achievements so far but his long
turn by Acton Homes against the magnih-
cent defensive lines OF the Boer army, new
ertheless would live in the history Of war
as a brilliant strategical and tactical con-
ception carefully and scientifically planned
and executed, and, professionally speaking
in every way worthy Of success.
As we had hitherto concluded, Clery
with his division consisting OF the
brigades OF Woodgate. Hart, and Hid
yard from right to left in the order
named. occupy the extreme left of the
British column. Warren. who seems TO
command Buffers left wing. is on the
right of CIery. his line extending to
Potgieter's Drift, or beyond: while
another division. not reported and not yet
In action. is probably in reserve at or near
Springfield on the road to that place from
FTeTe Lord DundOuald. with the light
brigade. is around the BOer right flank in
the direction OF Mount Tintwa. and, sup
ported by Clery. holds the approaches to
Dewdrop. These dispositions agree with
the assumptions in that regard upon
which we have already ventured
The stronghold of the B0er right is un-
derstoOd TO be Spiou Kop, a strongly de-
Tended position about midway between
Potgieter's Drift and Acton Homes sun
days lighting was principally directed
against this place. which was attacked by
Ciery's right. Although il is not made
quite clear. We think il can be assumed
with safety that Clery's left swung around
by Acton Homes. following up the clear
ancc work OF Dundunald's Horse. and that
the position was effectually turned, plac-
ing the British left in a situation to take
the Boer right in reverse, which movement
we feel confident will develop today This
idea is supported by the statement that
the swing OF CIery's left forced the Beers
back ON SpiOn Kop showing that the same
has been turned and envelOped Thus.
Clery. with Dundonald Ranking on his left
beyond the Dewdrop Road in case he can
drive the Beers from their semicircular
line bending outward from Dewdrop as a
centre. with its nose at Spion Kop. will be
able TO strike Dewdrop at once. make il
feasible to close in the whole British line
10 that parallel. and. with the LadysmIth
garrison, 10 complete the development of
Joubert. rendering his position west OF
the railway untenable. Clery. it will have
been observed from the dispatches. Sc
cured what appears to be the KEY of the
situation, and without serious loss. He
was gre atty aided by a vigorous demonstra-
tiOn beyond Potgieter's Drift. which served
TO keep the Beers occupied in that part
OF the field and prevented their re-enforc-
ing their hardly pressed right.
All the facts. as far as reported. appear
to presage a victory for Sir Redvers Bull
Ter and the relief of Ladysmith within
three or four days. But the time has not
yet come to indulge in confident prsdic-
tOns. There are hints of doubtful value
that Joubert. in case his right is doubled
up at SpIon Kop and Dewdrop. will hasten
TO leave the western side of Ladysmith
and fall back on the Drakensberg range.
That is probably only a writer's deduction.
although reasonable one. The Boer gen
eral may yet have a card up his sleeve for
Butler, Notwithstanding the fact that sll
signs at this moment point to the formers
defeat.
What We may term the eastern atti-
tude'' Of the London critics. is in evidence
again. in the shape of expressed regrets
that Butler should have ianked by the
west instead OF TO the east of CoIenso.
They argue that the western movement
throws the Beers back on the railway.
their line Of communication to the Trans
yaai. We are unable 20 take much stock
in ,ie argument II Butler had attacked
on the east and defeated Joubert. the Free
state passes would have been open 10 the
latter. and he would have fallen back and
defended them. compelling his British foe
TO take the Tintwa. Van Reenen. De Beers
and Cundy Cleugh passes to his left, and
the Thermopylae Of Laing's Mex on his
right. Besides all which there are appar-
emily many obvious reasons for consider
sns the movement actually made great