New-York tribune., 1900-05-12
MENA CLNG ROBERTS'S FLANK
ONLY METHOD OF EFFECTIVE RESIST
ANCE LEFT TO THE BOER ARMIES.

downright; 1900: BY The Nev-York Trbunel
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
london, May Il. / a. m.-Whie General Rob-
.rtss army is advancing from Ventersburg
toward Kroonstad the Beers are again menac
ing his flank This is evident from General Rob-
erts's statement at first suppressed and then
given out by the War Office that Smith-Dorien's
brigade was engaged for several hours Friday
in protecting the rear and flank of Hamilton's
force and also from press dispatches describing
what is going on east of Thaba Nchu Ihe
Beers being powerless to prevent the advance
Of Robertss army to Ventersburg and kroon-
stad are striving to capture conveys and break
up his lines Of communication in the rear, and
are also returning to Thaba Nchu in the hope
of overpowering General Rumble and making a
dash for Bloemfontein.
These tactics are excellent, since the Boer
commanders are outnumbered and outclassed by
the British army, and their best and possibly
only resource is that Of a counterstroke. Every
defensive position which they fortify can be
turned by General Robertss mounted force, and
their only chance of offering successful resist
ance lies in hanging upon the flank and rear of
the advancing column and capturing conveys
and harassing isolated columns. General Roberts
has evidently anticipated these tactics and
taken measures for thwarting them. He has
carried only three infantry divisions with him,
and has left three or four divisions behind in
addition to the regular troops provided for
guarding the lines Of communication.
Rundle's division, with Brabants cavalry, is
the first line of defence against flank attack
upon Bloemfontein, and the Third. Sixth and
Clements's divisions can be rapidly concentrat-
ed Rundle's division is on Little Leeuw River
between Thaba Nchu and Ladybrand, and a
considerable Boer force is holding the outlying
circuit Of kopies to the east. There has been
skirmishing during the last forty-eight hours
between the two forces, and Boer patrols nave
been sighted south Of Thaba Nchu- Smith
Dorien repulsed q direct attack upon the rear
guard Of Ha1nilton's column, but there must be
conveys further back which are exposed to at
tack. II viii not be surprising if the Boer COM
fnandoes succeed in picking up some or these
scattered conveys.
But warfare Of this kind, in order TO be sue
eessful must he persistent and sufficiently Ell
fectve 10 block Roberts's advance northward.
The details furnished by the War Office and the
press correspondents show that General ROD
ertss forward movement Is unchecked. The
mounted force on the left wing was at Nenters-
burg Friday night. and the entire column
was advancing yesterday toward kroonstad-
The right wing was also moving northward on
The Winburg- Kroonstad road. The fighting was
heaviest Friday on the British right. Hamil-
IONS column meeting with stubborn RESISTANCE
but driving the Beers from strong positions. Ihe
casualties were trivial on the British left where
iAere was series Of artillery duels, with steady
pressure from cavalry and gallant charges py
t~o b2ttalious. the Sussex and East Lancashire
upon kOpjes. The B0er line was thin, and was
readily broken IN that quarter when the bat
fshons advanced with bayonets- Resistance
was more strenuous in front Of Hamilton. but
"hen one BoeT wing retired the other was
1orced TO abandon its positions. There is no
accurate estimate Of the strength OF the Boer
4orce. II not a rearguard action. but an
Suempt 10 hold back Roberts's army with an
insufficient force and inadequate artillery
me news from other sections of the held Is
uiiihporiant The censor enjoins absolute
slehce from Natal which is a significant sign
hunters column reinforced by Harts brigade
reported 10 be advancing northwaTd from
Fourteen Streams
ihere are vague rumors. probably sensational
oin Cape Town OF another assassination plot
uiae against Sir Alfred Mner.
from Pretoria there is epitoEle of re-