As a, result of General Buller's victory both sides of
Laing's Nek tunnel, Volksrust, Charlestown, Wakkerstroom, and the surrounding country are in our hands. The importance of the movement is very great. It should, to begin with, soon enable us to open railway communication between Pretoria and Durban, and thus give Lord Roberts a sea base very much nearer to him than that he now possesses. Next, it will enable us to drive a wedge between the Boers who are retreating to the Lydenburg district and the Boers who are still fighting in the Free State, and so ensure the capture of the latter, if they have not already been caught by
General Rendle, from whose army we have only received rumours, but who seems to have the Boers well in band. In addition, we may note the welcome news published on Friday afternoon that Klerksdorp has been surrendered to Hunter by General Cronje, son of the general now a prisoner at St. Helena, and that a number of Boers have given themselves up. On the whole, then, the immediate prospects at, the front are good. The Boer counter-stroke has failed, and we can now begin to fill in the chinks between Pretoria and Laing's Nek and make all secure. This process make take another fortnight, and then we shall be able to attend to President Kruger and the Lydenburg district.
