The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-19
BULLER is AGGRESSIVE.
tcontinued from First Page.1

WHICH ATEnEIdl ETEnE4 lNlI5 0DAtAIAA-4
was allowed to penetrate into Kimber-
ley without resistance, for practlcally
he was unopposed. Also we have no
definite knowledge what has become OIL
the Boer 4 army. TOday'S messages
speak of 10000 men under Cronje flying
before the pursuing British, with their
stores lost but this must be nonsense,
because 1t is improbable that half Such
a number has been anywhere near the
NGodder river or Kimberley this last
month Until Lord Roberts appeared
on the scene it must not be forgotten
that our troops lay idle, merely eating
their supplies. No effective forays were
made, nor any reconnaissance worth
anything, and at least ten days ago
some press messages were allowed TO
escape the censor telling us that fewer
men appeared to be in the Magersfontein
trenches the inference drawn being
that Cronje had taken his men away to
press Kimberley.
Almost simultaneously, however, came
the news that the Boer forces operat-
ing around Colesburg, in Cape Colony,
had been largely increased, and thaL
was soon followed by a description OF
q British retreat there still in progress
1 am not a military critic, but 90
know something about the climatic con-
ditions prevailing in South Africa at
this season of the year, and something
also about the characteristics ana
modes of warfare practiced by the
Dutch. Presenting upon this siendeF
knowledge, L have from the first con
sidered it unlikely that the Orange Free
State farmers would attempt TO SIauQ
up to a great army of we'll disciplined
troops. If the advantage OF these
troops could only be delayed until the
dry season had fairly set in, as 1t mas
been. then all that would be necessary
for the Free Staters and their allies in
the south to do would be to leave the
British troops to founder about among
the burning sand hills and valleys OF
their country great desert, frequent
" Waterless-and devote all their ener-
gies to preying upon the British lines
of communication.
1t seems to me that the events around
Kimberley point to this forecast OF
Beer tactics as being not far from the
right one Those burghers have no lives
to throw away in pitched battles par
ticularly when largely outnumbered, as
they would be. by the force under Field
Marshal Roberts a force at it's striking
point probably amounting to at least
10000 men.
When, therefore. the commander of the
Boer army saw British troops being hur-
ried up into the sun parched and over
heated sandy region forming so much OF
the Orange Free State, he would probably
slip away with the bulk of his men. his
artillery and all that he could convenient
" carry off of his supplies eastward to
Bloemfontein or southwark to attack the
British long line of communication
On this Interpretation the relief of Kim
berley does not mean much. and our vic
tory gives no scope for great rejoicing.
am bound to state however, that no
journal published in London. coming un-
der my eyes. has given any such inter
1jretaffon as this of the Free Staters' tao
tics and Intentions. and you must put
your own value upon it. All l insist upon
is that during the dry season, now fully
entered upon, the more British troops in
the interior of Africa. the greater the
danger of perishing from hunger and
Before passing from this subject, may
note that a curious change has taken
Rhodes. When the news of French's
successful dash first spread over town yes
terday it was common enough to hear
people say, amid their mutual congratu-
lations over the event Only thing We
that beast Rhodes.
IN other words. it is now beginning to
be recognized, even by the strongest par
tisans of the war, that it is to this. mans
schemes more than anything else that we
owe the dangers now threatening our en-
plre not only in South Africa, but at other
points.
As for General Butler we have almost
toEsoLleh MN these Iast rev Gays ana
Joke about them. Nfmbie wits of the
stock exchange have nicknamed him the
ferryman' and Sir Reverse Butler" The
old tale of his wonderful laundering in
been revived and put into circulation with
gusto how he Nas then put in command
of an army corps and ordered to locate
the enemy and beat him. Up to the time
limit given, he never even discovered the
enemy This was notorious at the time, yet
such is the power of press puffery that
the poor man was sent out to South At
made reputation of a great military com
Inander. feel sorry for him and think
used. having been given task that even
q first rate military genius might have
failed in.
Before leaving the subject of fighting it
may be interesting to just mention that
the celebrated army surgeons sent out
also with great drum beating. and trum-
pet blowing, calling attention to their I'M
selfish patriotism, have in reality consent
ed to serve their country at the gentle fee
OF $4,000 per annum each. The ordinary
army surgeons, who are probably more
have to do, receive 825 to $40 a year The
fact is this war has been regarded by our
brave but somewhat bratnless aristocrats
as sporting expedition on a gigantic
scale, and as they are risking their lives
now and then with true old British logged
courage, they have insisted upon being at
tended to by the highest men in the pro
ana py we shall nave pretty rows in par
lament over this
BULLER'S FLANK MOVEMENT.
London, Feb. 19.-3:20 p. m.-The war
office has received the following dis
patch from Gen. Butler:
ChieYeley Camp, Feb. ~ yesterday
moved around the eneny's flank The
queens who had bivouacked on the
northern slope of Cingolo, crossed the
Mex and supported by the rest of the
second brigade under HiIdyard assault
ed and took the southern end of Monte
Christie.
The Fourth brigade on the left M
western slope and the WEIGH fusiIeers
supported by the rest of the Sixth bri-
gade assaulted the eastern flank of the
enemy's position, while the Second bri-
eade cavalry on the extreme right
watched the eastern slopes of Mount
Christie and drove back those of the
enemy attempting to escape there from
our artillery fire. Assaulted by heavy
artillery fire on their front and flank
and attacked on their flank and rear,
the enemy made but slight resistance,
abandoning their strong position and
were driven across the Tugela. 1 have
taken several camps, a wagon load of
ammunition, several wagons of stores
and supplies and few prisoners
The weather has been intensely hot
and the ground traversed was exceed
lngly difficult. . But the energy and
dash of the troops have been very
pleasant to see. They have all done
splendidly. The work of the irree.11l I