Attempting to forecast the plans and ideas of a general
is a fascinating if not a very useful pursuit. If we may be allowed the luxury for a moment, we should say that Lord Roberts's chief aim and desire at present (after freeing gallant Mafeking) is, if possible, to catch as many of the enemy as possible. He will no doubt like to get to Bloemfontein, as it is a capital place for his headquarters and hospitals, with its fine water-supply, good air, large and commodious build- ings, well-filled stores, and good railway communication, but we may depend upon it that how to take another large batch of prisoners interests him far more than "an entry into the enemy's capital." We have just referred to the significance of Lord Roberts's silence. In this context we may note that we have lately heard practically nothing from Orange River station. Yet if the Boers who can now be best described as "late of Colesberg " are to be dealt with, an advance from Orange River to Fauresmith seems promising.
