The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-17
The South African Campaign.

HeI OF hltHDerley ny int coiuiiH uh"eA
| Gen. French, carrying out the plans laid
| by Gen. Roberts, that a turning point
had come in the campaign in South At
RIGA, and that from this time forward
something more can be looked for than
a constant succession of frontal attacks
against strongly intrenched positions,
verse. which has been the record Of
British generalship SO far. Some EVIL
| dence of military skill is now being dis
played. and for the first time the Brit
ish strategy has proven of higher or
der than that of the Beers. although
up to the time of this last movement
but little of real strategy had been dis
played on either side. In all of the ear
lier stages of the campaign since the
investment of Ladysmith and Kimber-
ley the British relief columns have
tightly Rugged the railroad lines, along
which the several columns have pro-
ceeded, and the Boer defense has been
rendered very simple problem. All
that has been necessary for them to do
has been to intrench themselves strong
ly in strategic positions along the lines
OF the various railroads and await the
inevitable British attack in front, with
practical certainty of being able to re-
pulse 1t.
her nprniiar NJ tho prft-
ish campaign heretofore has been the
| tendency to rest and recuperate after
every movement. The battle OF Modder
| river. for example, might fairly have
been considered victory for Gen.
Methuen or would have been so con-
sidered II he had followed up his ad-
| vantage. He attacked the Boer forces
In front. as usual and after a days
| hard fighting the Beers abandoned the
strong position which they had held and
| retired. The position which they sub
sequently assumed on Magersfonten
was no stronger than the one which
they had abandoned on Modder river.
| and II is safe to say that they never
would have left the former position IL
they had not felt that they were de-
feated. Instead Of following up his
slight advantage. however. Methuen
elected TO rest and recuperate his forces
and procure heavy reinforcements. and
by the time he was ready TO reassume
the offensive the Beers had recovered
their morale. undoubtedly shaken by
their first reverse had strongly In
trenched their new position. had pro-
cured achievements at least equal rel
atively TO those which Methuen had re-
eeived and the second frontal attack
was followed by the disastrous repulse
at Magersfonten. Since this time
Methuens force accomplished nothing
until the arrival OF Gen Roberts on the
scene OF action.
There in probably this to be said In
defense OF the absence OF any OF the
qualities OF strategic generaiship by the
British heretofore, that the deficiencies
Of transport were such that II was i'm
possible for them Ia advance other than
by the railroad lines. and that there was
neither cavalry nor mounted infantry
In sufficient force 20 engage in any sue
cessful thanking movement against such
mobile force as was presented by the
Boer army Of mounted rihemen, who
could establish new front on the
threatened flank before the turning
movement was well under way. az was
done twice In the campaign before La
dysmith.
The presence OF Roberts and Kitch-
ener on the ground has brought new
clements into the game which bid fair
% make decided change in the aspec {
~ AFFAIRS. the first Illustration ~ which
Is seen in the relief Of Kimberley. The
force under Gen French is as mobile
az any which the Beers possess and is
handled with a dash and elan which are
up TO the best traditions OF the cavalry
arm. The perfection Of transport sys-
tenn. through the indefatieahle labors
OF Kitchener. Ia shown by the fact that
the British are now enabled 10 engage
in operations away from the Immediate
neighborhood Of a railroad line. This
acquisition OF transport system and a
mobile force ~ cavalry. horse artillery
and mounted infantry. gives the FIRST
Opportunity for the display OF tactical
skin. and as a result the Boer army is
FOR the first time outmaneuvered. It's
flank turned. and the relief OF Kimber-
ley accomplished without serious light
ing and with a small fraction Of thu
loSs which would have foglowsa an al.