New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-09
REVIVAL OF BOER ENERGY
SEQUEL OF THE INACTIVITY OF THE
BRITISH COMMANDERS.
copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l


IBY TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London Ap-il 9, 1 a. na.-The sequel 10 British
inaction is the revival of Boer energy all along
the line General Butler. after remaining idle
thirty-nine days, is now menaced with raiding
operations similar to those from which General
Roberts and General Gatacre have suffered.
The Beers have been reinforced in Upper Natal.
where the commanders have reappeared with
guns and wagons, and it is reported that raiders
are on the way TO the Tugela TO cut off the COM
munications of Ladysmith with the coast. The
Boer plan of campaign in that quarter only
BE- surmised, but II is evident that Buffers army
will be harassed in flank in rear. Action is
indispensable 10 the Beers undiscpned
force cannot remain passive without suffering
from desertions and dependency.
II is not improbable that General Methuen
captured near Boshof the advance guard of
similar force of raiders operating against Kim
berley and the railway line south Of Modder
River. and that there may be a renewal of the
fighting in that district, where communications
lightly guarded.
ROBERTS EXPOSED TO RAIDS.
General Roberts's army is still exposed to
Dutch raids south Of Bloemfontein, although no
fresh mishap defeat is reported. Details of
the Reddersburg affair indicate that General
Gatacres five companies were surprised while
marching across the country and compelled to
surrender TO a superior force which completely
surrounded them. One account states that they
were returning to Bethany the railway, and
fought until their ammunition was exhausted,
while according TO another version they were
their way 10 Smithfeld, by way OF Dewetsdorp,
and were without guns. General Gatacre seems
10 have given marching orders for these com
panes which had survived the disaster at
Fl,r+ he Of
short supply Of ammunition not explained.
II is clear that the raiders are reinforced by
the burghers who had previously made a pre-
tence Of giving up their arms and taking the
British oath Of allegiance, and that Mr.. Steyn
Is hoping TO bring back into the field the bulk
Of the Dutch deserters through these tao
tics Military here remark grimIy that
General Roberts, who left General Gatacre in
what was considered a safe position in the rear
may now be regretting his choice OF a general
IN command Of the communications south OF
Bloenlfontein. this promises to be response
BE and difficult post. It is probable that the
risks from raiding are exaggerated. the Beers
cannot be in great force; but, the other
hand, the district 10 be guarded is a broad one,
and garrisons cannot in every case be provided
with artillery. The task would be easier if the
British forces We're in the habit of using the
spade and intrenching themselves, or If
'ahgements for signalling by wireless telegraphy
or otherwise were complete. Well in
formed soldiers here are convinced that raiding
operations instead Of retarding General Rob
ertss advance viii hasten Il. as the movement
hofthward by two divisions Is apparently the
most practical eXpedient for compelling the
boers 10 concentrate their forces and draw off
Their flying columns.
DUKE OF TECKS RESPONSIBILITY.
Great interest is manifested in the questions
winch will be asked in Parliament to-day re-
specting the identity of the officer responsible
ior the loss Of the guns in General Roberts's
lIst reverse. IL has been asserted that the
luxe OF Teck was in charge OF portion OF the
ieheating column which entrapped, but
ie iacts are not known. Social influences
eoosnlzed by practical soldiers a serious
@"pack upon the discipline OF the officers Of
the British army
eNH Rhodes remains silent and will not be
-" INTO print. II is known that he enter
Hs FEELING OF hearty admiration for Generals
S'eis' Kitchener and French but that he is
,, IA MS censurss Of Butler and Mstbuen.
S'0ekr!y true that there was 4 sharp ex-