Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1900-06-02
REVIEW OFITHE.AFRICAN WAR.
FROM THE SEAT OF THE WAR
Lord Roberts is CnutiOus-WhoIe
Army Change Direction to the
Left-British Honor the Dead-A

London, May 2S.-Speneer Wilkinson,
reviewing the situation at the seat of war
in South Africa for the Associated Press,
says:
Lord Roberts is keeping tight hand
on all kilograms in order not to disclose
his movements. After occupying Rhenos-
ter, he pushed his left wing at once toward
Parys, where the Naal river was crossed
ON thursday. The whole army seems to
have changed its direction to the lett, as
General Hamiltons right wing was to-
day at Boschbank, halt way from Parys
to the railway bridge at Niljoens Drift,
which is being watched by Roberts
| scouts. General Hamilton probably cross
ed the Naal river today, assisted, ii neces
sary by march up the river OF the force
that crossed at Parys. The whole force
probably will be across the Vaal by Sun
day afternoon. johannesburg viii then
be two marches distant.
Il suppose that Lord Roberts viii push
forward General Hamilton and perhaps
General French to turn the Beers, while
Generals fucker and Pole-CMew will at
tack III front.
The Beers as usual must be enveloped
or go. Special efforts will be made to cut
OFT their retreat, as Roberts is now de-
| termined to capture them ii possible. lie
relies fully on General Hamilton, whose
combination of fire and prudence justi-
fies every confidence.
IF the Beers escape toward Pretoria,
Roberts will likely follow swiftly and be
at Pretoria in less than week.
The Beers say they have retaken
Hebron. General Roberts will neglect
that but will guard the railway, which,
think he will not wait to repair before go,
ing to Pretoria.
General Butler, at Laings Mex is eight
or nine marches distant from JOnanlles-
burg, supposlng that the road is clear
Roberts advance must make the Beers
at olksrust uneasy and so wall taclli-
tate Bulers advance.
General Hunter, when at Mafeking
will be II marches from Pretoria and 1t
is impracticable therefore for the Beers
to make any serious resistance at Pretoria
where, to wait, would mean to be hemmed
! between IuIee DIlllSI dIuuleS.
The Boer plan is to retreat to the Lyd
enburg hills to postpone the catastrophe
but the condition and strength of the
difficulty OF securing supplies may com
pei General Roberts to pause on the Naa
and repair the railway, thus giving time
to General Butler and General Hunter t.
invade the Transyaal. l fancy, however
that Lord Roberts will prefer the boldel
course and try to end this war night now
MANY points in the recent operation.
are obscure. Thus the long pause o
General Lyttleton at Sundays river and
the subsequent silence suggests that he
may cooperate with General Rumble tc
finish the Free Staters' resistance. There
has been no distinct report from Genera
Methuen since that from Hoopstad. He
probably crossed the Wall near Parys.
Lord Roberts marches i'll a very broad
front with his cavalry wing thrown for
ward. General Butler probably can not
adopt the same plans in the rugged coun
try of northern Natal, but once Butler
is up the hills or on the table lands of the
Transyaal he will be able TO spread out
and move rapidly.
Lord Roberts has a wonderful power
of picking a special man for every special
work. Ian Hamilton, the brilliant gen
eral was shot to pieces at Aajuba in the
first war. Since then he has made great
mark in training the Indian army to
shoot straight, and was himself one of the
best officers in India.
Another able officer is Sir Henry Mich
olson, who was chief of staff to General
| Lockhard in Tierah. He is now running
all the transports for General Roberts,
whose army, since it reached Bloemfon-
tein, has been well supplied, Nothing
shows the great commander more than
his finding his men and giving them free
hand. Roberts has incompatible dash
and boldness, coupled with great circum-
spection, hence l expect rapid strides now
that the crisis is at hand"
HOnOrs the Dead at Mafeking.
| Mafeking, May 2S.-The entire garrison
paraded to thanksgiving service. Colonel
Baden Powell addressed the men, saying:
1--WE have been unable to fire a volley
over the graves of our killed, being fear
full of drawing the fire of the enemy s
guns"
The garrison paid the last honors to the
dead, assembling in the graveyard and
bidding good bye to their fallen comrades.
Mafeking, May 2l.-The Beers to the
south retired from Kunana,, 10 miles east
of Martha, and are falling back further
on Burpilspan. The Beers routed here
rallied few miles east of Polfontein.