New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
BRITISH PUBLIC EXPECTANT.
BULLER'S OPERATIONS NOW REGARDED
As ONLY PART OF a GENERAL PLAN.
LCoryrght' 1900: by The New-YoTk Tribune.
lBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l


IBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London. Feb. ID l a ma hush of public
expectation has followed what is now generally
regarded as a reconnaissance in force on the
Tugelz rather than deliberate attempt for the
relief Of Ladysmith. Not only has Dr. Leyds
described General Buffers sham fight as a di-
version for covering Lord Roberts's larger and
more effective campaign in the Free State but
the Beers are indirectly admitting that they
have not understood the motive Of the British
strategy for while they are exulting over the
third retirement of the relieving force they are
also striving TO create the impression that they
have themselves taken the offensive. One
story is that General Joubert Is threatening
General Buffers communications with flank
ing column six thousand strong, and another
IS that two thousand Beers are advancing
Through Zululand to occupy Nyandhla and to
attack Eshowe. These reports come from Cape
Town and Durham, and there is other evidence
sn dispatches from Upper Natal that the Dutch
Sre attempting to make some demonstration
which win interfere with the main movement
OF the British army under Lord Roberts.
Belated accounts Of the retirement of Bull
se-'s army offer fresh explanations of the diff
culties Of the artillery problem and the 'ad-
vantases Of the Dutch positions, but the lack
OF earnestness with which the attack was
pressed, and the nonchalance with which the
passage Of the river. proofs that it was a
feint designed 10 cover the concentration of
British forces for an attack elsewhere. Lord
Roberts is said to be at Modder River, al
though there may be some fresh surprise. Po-
ntcal reasons are assigned for his choice of
the field Of operations. He is charged with
abandoning Ladysnith for the sake Of rescuing
Cecil Rhodes. A prominent Englishman may be
quoted saying:
General Butler yielded to political pressure,
tcre up his original plan of campaign and sent
General Methuen with the Guards to rescue the
great Imperialist. whose safety was considered
more important than anything else. Generals
Roberts and Kitchener, with a military prob
lem Of great compleXiJy TO work out. have again
sacrificed everything for the relief of Rhodes
These structures are unjust. Lords Roberts
and Kitchener, if they have made Modder River
their first theatre of operations, have probably
been Influenced by two excellent military
sons-hrst, the concentration of their forces by
massing fresh troops with Methuen's army,
and, secondly, the continued of the railway
Inc of supplies already in operation, instead Of
opening and guarding a second parallel line
from NorvaTs Pont TO BIoemfontein. They are
also striking at Cronje's army. whose strength
Is believed TO have been considerably reduced
by the forces sent to CoIesberg
There was no direct confirmation yesterday
--0--- --V NfoI OIIlce OF lNe lHeOIg lildl I|OIO
Roberts IS opening the campaign from Modder
River. but here was indirect evidence of it in
ne concentration of Boer forces in that quarter,
which was officially reported. There were two
bulletins from Cape Town. One repeated
Colonel Kekewichs report that the Beers had
4eit MafekiEg, and taken 10 Kimberley a six
lhch gun and several quick firing field guns.
1HiS statement was based on the report Of a
AdnFe VINO accompanied the Beers and the
eiX-lnch gun. and the opening OF fire upon the
garrison fully corroborated it. The siege Of
Nafeking has been virtually abandoned. and
me garrison no longer needs relief from Colonel
FIumer- The second bulletin reported an in
crease of the Boer fighting force before Kimber-
ley and the construction Of a and for1ni-
oa5le line Of trenches by the besiegers Lord
Roberts has concealed his movement cleverly.
but apparently the Boers are matching his con-
centration Of forces with one Of their own,
iesving Baden-Powen master Of Mafeking and
falling 70 take the Prime Minister'S to Pre-
toris
The War Office also confirmed the report that
the Dutch had been taking the offensive from
Colesberg. They attempted to turn the British
right flank Friday. but were beaten back.
This report came from General Clements who
vas IN command at Rensburg. As his brigade
Is with General Kelly Kenny this serves to con-
arm previous report that the Sixth Division
has reinforced French and Gatacre. and is not
al Modder River J. y. F.