New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-09
GENERAL BULLER' S EXPLOIT.
HIS PART IN THE CLOSING OPERATIONS
OF THE WAR CREDITABLE.
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-Yori Tr1bune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tr1bune.I
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSE.I
London, June 9, q. m.-One of the inscruta-
bic mysteries of the week explained when
the War once closed at midnight. This was
General Buffers share in the final work of the
campaign. After sending two divisions across
the Buffalo River TO Utrecht and Vryheid, he
recalled them and made a close approach to the
Boer position at Laings Mex from Newcastle
The operations began on Wednesday with the
seizure of Van Wyke Hill by the Tenth Brigade
after sharp skirmshing. Heavy guns were sent
10 the crest Of the hill and to the spurs Of
Inkwelo Mountain, and yesterday Hildyard's di-
vision, formerly commanded by General Warren,
carried the mountain heights between Botha's
Pass and Inkwelo. These heights were to the
west Of Laing's Mex and Majuba, and when
taken involved the retirement of the Beers from
strong positions where they were intrenched.
Buffers men had done some fine mountain
climbing. and while their casualties were light
they had gained positions from which he hoped
to render Laing's Mex untenable. If this result
be secured IT will be q brilliant achievement
and the Beers will be driven back into the
Transyaal, and forced to retreat toward Ermelo
and Lydenberg.
Otherwise there was little information from
South Africa The mystery enveloping the fate
OF the British prisoners at Waterfall had not
French ought to have reached Waterfall Tues
day or Wednesday, and to have released at
least three thousand prisoners, if only one thou
sand were carried east by the Beers But Cen
eral Roberts has remained silent respecting this
important detail The motive of the Beers in
taking off the prisoners is obvious. While the
prisoners are with them there will be less risk
Of starving out the Beers themselves by the
seizure of Komau Poort the investment Of
nh
ton Of the burghers against starvation, and in
crease their resources for drawing the British
Government into negotiations of some kind.
Rundles and Methuen's operations against
President Steyn at Bethlehem remain unex-
plained. A reconnaissance in force occurred on
Tuesday and there was some skirmishing.
The Chinese puzzle is the most inscrutable
mystery in Pandoras box A crisis has arisen
which affects England more deeply than any
other Power, since she has about three-fourths
OF the foreign trade of China, yet there are no
signs that the emergency has been foreseen
that there is any understanding with Russia
that the Foreign Office has any definite policy.
A large force Of British marines has been landed
and there is vague talk about a cooperation Of
European Powers, but there is no evidence that
the Foreign Office is well served in Peking,
where Sir Claude Macdonald is in poor health
and no match for the Russian Ambassador,
whose secret allies the Dowager Empress
and Ii Hung Chang. nor is there any proof that
il is prepared to take a line OF its own which
viii prevent Russian intervention on a large
scale The Boxers are certainly playing into
Russia's hands, whatever may be the origin of
their intrigues. and the Dowager Empress in
extremity will be forced to call in the Cossacks
and they are not likely ever TO go out again.
The Salisbury Government is clearly adrift on
the China question. L NF