MAIL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 2

MAIL NEWS.

THE PROGRESS OF THE

WAR

DETAILS OF LORD KOBERTS' OPERATIONS

The following graphic narrative of the success attending the early movements of Lord Roberts' army is a compilation from files to hand to-day by the Alameda: — THE INITIATION. A "Tribune" cable from London, February 15th, says: Roberts and Kitchener, having concentrated a full army corps, with v cavalry brigade and artillery, could be trusted to tind better employment for it than that of lining the railway between the Orange and the Modeler rivers. They have done so, and their secret is at last out. French's cavalry brigade, which was moved from Colesbevg, seized Monday the crossing of the Reit river at Dekil's drift, and the Sixth and Seventh divisions are now encamped on the east bank of the river. The Sixth division is Kelly-Kenny's, whicti has been reported to be co-operating" with French and Gatacre for a clearance, of the country south of the Orange river. His division is now officially reported on the Riet river with, the Seventh division, Tucker's, which has been believed to be at Modeler river.

These two divisions, with French's cavalry brigade and a new" infantry brgade made up from battalions lining the railway from De Aar Junction, are now co-operating with Methuen's army in a great flanking movement on the Riot below Kimberley. It is a concentration of the British forces on a large scale in an unexpected, quarter, and the whole movement has been so cleverly conceived that no military writer in* London has been able to forecast the precise direction of Lord Roberts' advance. What is more important, the Dutch have been apparently misled, for they have weakened their forces in a quarter where an attack will be made, and strengthened them where the British will remain on the defensive. This general flanking movement has been supported by a movement of the mounted infantry from the Orange river railway crossing to Ramah. This was a strong column described as a mounted infantry brigade, and Colonel Hannay, who commanded it, had an engagement with the Boers on the hills, and and finally pushed his force through to his destination on Tuesday with comparatively slight losses, the casualty list amounting to thirty-nine. This entire movement, with its concentration of nearly all the British battalions outside Natal, and the slender eohvmns left under Gatacre and Clements, has been bought about by scientific strategy under the rigorous operation of the censorship, the utility of which has been demonstrated at last.

The army corps and strong artillery forces have been massed where the enemy are weakest, and the previous balance of forces in the military problem has been suddenly upset. This column on the Riet has the promise of potency for the relief of-Kimberley. and subsequent advance upon Bloemfontein, and is so great a diversion of military l-psources that Ladysmith may be rescued.

A midnight report from Lord Roberts described the brilliant cavalry raid by French with three brigades of cavalry and a strong force of horse artillery, in which three Boer laagers were captured, and the supporting movement conducted by General Gordon, by which two laagers were taken, These dashing movements are proofs that the British campaign has entered upon an entirely new phase. The relief of Kimberley will evidently be the first work of Robert?, and the march upon Bloemfontein the sequel to it.

LONDON, February 15, 3.30 a.m.

Mr Spencer Wilkinson,in the "Morning Post" to-day, says: "There is good news to-day, for a new campaign has begun. The movements oi Lord Roberts are a practical illustration of the principle of concentration of action in time and space. The unexpected presence of the Sixth Division makes Lord Roberts stronger by 10,000 men than anyone had ventured to hope. Evidently he ordered General MacDonald's reconnaissance to Koodoosberg in order to draw the enemy's attention westward, away from the contemplated move through the Free State.

"The Boer army is barred from the direct route to Bloemfontein, and even on the road by Boshof it would be exposed to a flank attack during the march.

"General Cronje, on learning1 of Lord Roberts' disposition on Tuesday and yesterday, must have had an interesting problem. He had to consider whether to hold on to his positions at Jacobsdal, at Magersfontein, and to seize Kimberley, or to raise the siege and move off—-and, if so, in what direction, whether to Bloemfontein or northward across the vaal.

"This event forms the brilliant opening of a new campaign, which is being marked by concentration of purpose and by an energy and rapidity that augur well for the future. The public must wait patiently' for the result of these operations, remembering that the distance to be covered is considerable and the heat great. Possibly enough, there may be no general action until Friday."