Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-02
British are EIated at His Triumph
Over the Beers,
SAY HE KNEW HOW TO DO 1T
Won the Battle of Elandsiaagte-um-
portance Of His Success-nove-
menis Elsewhere.

New York, Jan. "A dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
In advance Of the arrival Of Lord
Roberts, and the concentration OF the
sixth and seventh divisions, for march
upon SpringfonteIn. the most strategic
point In the Orange Republic, General
French's occupation Of Colesberg Is a
distinct gain for the British cause
Even II II was brought about cheaply
end without pitched battle, II Is Of
the highest value as an object lesson Of
what British generals can do when they
go about It in the right way, and with
mobile force adapted for operating
against mounted infantry.
General Gatacre attempted TO sur
prise the enemy at Stormberg by a
night march, but was entrapped in am
buscade because he did not have mo-
bile force capable of good scouting.
General French attempted the same
tactics with mounted force, and sue
ceeded in entrapplng his willy enemy,
who had fallen back from one in
trenched position only 10 be surprised
at daybreak on the second line. Since
the week of disaster military croakers
have been calling loudly for some
heaven-born general who would point
the way TO Bloemf0ntein and Pretoria.
General French's success in outmaneu-
verlng the enemy Is proof that super
natural powers are not required for
this campaign, but mobile forces led by
generals who know how to direct them
with wary skill.
In only one battle has there been any
thing like flank attack or a turning
movement. That was at Elandslaagte.
In which guns and prisoners were taken
by the British That battle was
planned and won by General French,
whose stan college training came out
brilliantly in recent operations from
Naauwport to Coleeberg. He had been
constantly maneuVering and within
forty-eight hours has compelled the
Dutch to evacuatc two good positions
by turning movements In place Of
frontal attacks. His success is due 10
good leadership and TO the mobility Of
his forces, and IL illustrates what might
have been done by other generals II
they had not been bent on frontal at
tacks, and II the headquarters staff In
London had adapted the army corps to
the requirements Of the campaign, in
stead OF carrying out a pre-arranged
mobility scheme without any degree OF
fexibillty.
From Modder river there is a series OF
press dispatches indicating renewed ac-
tivity. The Boer position on the left
is reported TO have been weakened by
a withdrawal OF the burghers from the
trenches. but this Is explained in the
midnight dispatches by the heavy can
nonading towards Kimberley. Appar-
emily the bombardment was renewed
In that quarter while Lord Methuens
men were commenting upon the folly
OF the Beers in wasting shot upon the
Modder river camp. General Babington
has condusted a reconnaissance east
ward with large cavalry force.
The most important news from Natal
relates TO a fresh reconnaissance from
Chieveley camp 10 ascertain whether
the Beers have vacated their strong po-
sition south Of Colenso. They are stu
intrenched on 1langwana mountain.
The German emperor's New Years
address, In which he promises that the
navy VIII be reorganized and strength
ened until it will be equal to the army
in efficiency, IL commended warmly by
the English press. which four years ago
was exultng over the mobilization OF |
a flying squadron as the proper answer
to the kalser's Interference in the Trans !
Naal affairs. Germany is now an Eng !
lish ally In spirit, even II the agree |
ment respecting the Portuguese possess |
slons in Africa remains a state secret. |
The seizure Of the Bundesrath is an in
cident which still interrupts the good !
feeling between Germany and England. |
The ground Of justification is reported /
TO be large shipment OF army sad
dies for the Beers. In that event the
German officers will probably be al
lowed to take another steamer back
from Delagoa bay,