The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-02
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ?, 1900.


At any moment there may De ucNelup-
ments on Buffers Tugela line of charao-
ter which would preclude prediction, in
view of our vague knowledge of the &C.
tuai conditions between the two extremes
OF Cheveley and Zunckles report yes
terday stated that he was vigorously en-
gagged at three places. Today we may
hear definitely that a serious. If not a
decisive battle. is in progress, either in
consequence of Boer attack from Colenso
or an attempt on Buffers part to push
out his centre most lately reported as
holding zwart's Xop and Mount Alice in
front CT Dewdrop. As we have yenturei
to remark before, if Butler had ten or
fifteen thousand more men than have been
generally credited to him, it might be con-
jectured that he would take the aggressive
Immediately again; probably not on his
LETT, because there he seems TO have en-
countered an impasse; but on his centre,
the nearest point to Ladysmith.
Yesterdays dispatches did not tend to
encourage the idea that Buffers strength
had been greatly increased of late, al
though we must not forget that. since
Kitchener reached the Cape, there has
been something approaching scientific
management of the censorship. conse-
auently. it may be that the disposition of
the fresh forces has been in a way to
create surprise when the truth finally
transpires. On the surface of things, Kit
chener appears to be gradually re-en-
forcing Gatacre, French, and Kelly Kenny,
and getting ready for an invasion Of the
Orange Free State. The last named has
moved from Rosmead Junction. just above
Naauw Poort toward steynburg where
Gaiscre's advance guard is supposed to
have met him. French. operating around
colesberg, is reported on Boer authority
TO have sustained a small check. but prob-
ably is able TO hold his own aud perhaps
to preserve the integrity of the Colesberg
Bridge across the Orange River. Cen
orally. there are indications that an ad-
vance by that line is in contemplation.
and. as far as 1t is possible 10 judge.
Kitchener has managed up 10 this time to
keep control OF the northern railway
quadrilateral, the salient of which is
above the Orange River at the railway
Junction. Mt the place called Springfon-
TEN. not named on the war maps
Control OF the quadrilaterai means. in
the absence OF hostile movements in the
rear, open communication with Cape
Town. Port Elizabeth, and New London.
IL the detection in northern Cape Colony
can be quelied. and a sufficient force as
SsAgpllp1 camauhara bot
and Colesberg, there would be a chance
for a forward movement with reasonable
prospects for success. In this connection
il is well TO note that the position of Lord
Methuen in front of Magarsfontein is not
TO be ignored. Apparently. he is boxed
up and unable to break the Boer lines
opposing him either by frontal or flank
attack If well re-enforced, or If diversion
is sde in his favor by movement against
the Boess left at Jacobsdal. perhaps he
might be brought intc active participation
in the game again. II will be observed
that we're Jacobsdal taken. and Methuen
relieved of pressure on that side. his force
OF fourteen or fifteen thousand men might
be utilized for the purposes of a movement
against Bloemfontein. or initially. for the
relief of Kimberly. by Ranking TO the east
OF it. Will the other object later In view.
We are too far in advance OF definite in
formation TO guess what-the immediate fu-
ture has in store in the western field; but
1, is not presumable that vigorous
Berserker like Kitchener is wasting his
time. He is up to something in the
Colony.