The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-11
MERELY PAUSING.
When Roberts Gets Ready He Will
Go Ahead.

New York, April IA dispatch to
the Tribune from London, says:
BY the grace of the censor the mill
tary situation is confusing. but it is
not an unintelligible maze. The British
inaction in the Free State and Natal is
not caused by an impasse like that re-
Sulting at Chieveley, MOdder river and
StOrmberg from the reverse of Decem-
Der. 1t is halt rendered necessary by
systematic preparation for an ire
SiStible movement into the TranSVaal.
Lord Roberts and Sir Redvers Butler
VIII advance when transport and equip
ment are in readiness and they will Op-
crate simultaneously and not be divert
ed from their goals by attempts of Boer
raiders to scatter their forces.
This is the view. of close observers in
touch with the war office. who assert
that the British communications are
not in danger and that the offensive
operations against the railway lines are
not serious. They add that Lord Rob
ertS viii pay as little heed to the raider
In the southern and eastern districts of
the Free State as he did to the Dutch
operations around Colesberg at the op
ening of his campaign, but will strike
nOrthWard toward his own objective
point with the certainty that the field
south of BlOemfOntein will be cleared
by his own advance. They also affirm
that some fresh surprise will be plann-
ed by which Gen. Warrens division will
be brought into the Free State over the
! mountains in cooperation with Gen.
/ + -A4LIi cavalry DIlSdQeS, I4eY neg
| lect to give practical evidence in sup
/ port of their cOnjectures
| Press dispatches make it clear that
! there has been fighting for two days at
/ Wcpener, where Gen. Brabant, with the
1 colonial forces, has been attacked by
| three BOer cOmmadOs with several
! guns. The result of Mondays artillery
/ practice was favorable to the colonial
! troops, but yesterdays attack was more
/ severe and determined. Gen. Bra bant' s
/ forces are reported to be we'll supplied
! with provisions and ammunition and in
/ occupation of a strong position. TIE
| Basutos are greatly excited by the Boer
/ operations on the edge of their terri
tory, and it is most difficult for the
| British agent to hold them under re-
/ Stralnt The nearest point garriSOned
by British troops is Aliwalnorth, but
| Wepener is apparently isolated and
| completely surrounded by the Beers.
Ihere IS no confirmation of the report
| that a large Boer force is marching to-
ward SpringfOntein and there is no proof
that the railway or telegraphic communi-
cation has been broken south of Bloem-
Sir Henry Runden and the advance
| guard of the Eighth division are now re-
20 t5 t5u ~ 20 ps heaqlng 1or Sprlngfontein IN
Sttiid Oh klmberley- If this be true. Ma
feking will be compelled to shift for it.
self until Lord Roberts compels the con-
ceniratlon Of the Boer forces by an in
vasion of the Transvaal although the
| latest dispatches show that the garrison
is convinced that a relief column is on the
way from Kimberley.
The towns of the Free State, through
which General Clements recently march
ed are showing signs of uneasiness an6
revolt but the alarmists are not justified
IN their assei lions that Lord Roberts
army is in danger of being cut off from
its base of supplies. The inventions will
winch the papers are filed are baset
upon the absurd exaggeration of th'
strength of the Boer raiders.
Heavy cannonading is reported from
Elandslaagte and Sunday river. but ther
Is no decisive news from Natal
The Boer peace commission has arrived
IN Europe, where it will be coolly receives
, at every continental capital. Whateve
popular sympathy there may be for tn
Dutch cause, no European government
prepared to declare war on Great Britain
nor to undertake to dispatch an army o
several hundred thousand men to Soutl
a Africa Those are the only condition
under which Intervention would serv
any practical purpose, after the explici
warnings given by the British govern
ment- 1t is expected in diplomatic circle
= that Messrs. Fischer, Wolmarines an
Vessels will make a short stay on tn
? continent and will cross the Atlantic i
. hope of drawing the Americans. with tn
. help of politicians, into some kind of am