The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1900-02-19
REVIEW OF SITUATION.
spenser WiIkfassn Says the Nsws Ia
Good, bnt Is Net 0yerconadsat.

Good, but is Net 0yerconsdsat.
London, Feb. 1S.-Mr. Spenser Wilkin-
son, the military expert, reviewing the
situation in South Africa, says:
Lord Roberts hns begun his campaign
by striking at the principal Boer force
in the western theater of war--that OF
Commandant CrOnje, covering the siege
of Kimberley. In little over three
weeks Lord Roberts had completed the
organization OF his force. He then quiet
~ massed some $4,000 men, four infan-
try divisions and q cavalry division, near
the selected point, reaching Modder Riv-
er station on Friday, Feb. 8. He must
have put his troops in motion with the
least possible delay, for on Monday the
action began. 1t was I'M attempt to turn
the Boer position by a march around its
seft, or eastern, Hank.
"On Monday General French's cavalry
seized the passages of the Riet river.
southeast of Jacobsdal and We're at once
followed up by two infantry divisions.
On Tuesday the cavalry moved nerth and
seized the crossings OF the Modder riv-
er, the infantry following at their heels.
On Thursday, when one division of in
fantry was on the Modder and the other
close behind it between the TWO rivers,
the cavalry moved forward toward Kim
berley, dispersed the besiegers from the
southeastern front and opened connection
with the town.
"Ihe same day the troops from the old
camp at Modder River station opened
communication with Jacobsdal, which
bad already been taken. Thus Lord
Roberts has IL semicirele around the Boer
position of Magersfontein, from Kimber-
Icy on the north to Modder River station
on the south, and possibly the line was
prolonged from Modder River station to
the northwest SO that General French
might hope by passing through Himber.
ley to complete the circle and thus en-
able Lord Roberts to envelop and cap
ture Cronje's whole force.
''This was the result hoped for. The
plan was brilliantly conceived and vigor-
ously executed. But Cronje has been
able to evade the blow. When General
French reached Kimberley. it was found
that Cronje, with the bulk of his force
had moved off toward Bloemfontein, ap-
parently by the BoShof road or by Il
shorter route along the north bank OF
the Modder. The laagers and stores
abandoned and the convoy captured
prove that Cronje left in haste, and ono
of General Kelly-Kenny's brgadcs was
last reported as pursuing and engaging
the BOer rear guard. General Kitchener
is experimenting the pursuit, which may
be effective
"Of the First and Ninth divisions NJ
mention has been made in the kilograms
and the inference is that paH of the de
sign is as yet undscloscd Possibly
their function is to complete the circuit
on the west. Perhaps. too Il force i.
making to the eastward south of thu
Modder river to intercept Cronje, thougl
as the mounted Beers cover 30 miles
day no infantry can catch them. A par
of the Boer force may have retreated t.
the northwest toward Barkley and viii
no doubt be pursued.
"There can be no doubt that Kimberlc,
is relieved aiM that the railway will sool
be reopened. This is success, but til,
more valuable result, the destruction of {
part of the I Der army, has not been Sc
cured. 1t .lnnot bc said in the circum
stances. that this is attributable to weak
ness in Il British generalship, whicl
seems to hotnshcan excellent.
"There l. -... 4 features in thu