“For if this movement is a true military movement, it shows as clearly as the sun in the sky to those who know the Strategetic Art, that the Boer armies are in transition from the defensive to an offensive plan of campaign, with the purpose of capturing DeArr and from thence advancing in force against the chief British depot, Capetown.” * * * * * The United States War Department, _Report on the British-Boer War_, published June 14, 1901, contains the following: (By =Capt. S. L’H. Slocum=, December 25, 1899. U. S. Military Attache with the British Army.) “I consider the present situation to be the most critical for the English forces, since hostilities began. Should the Boers assume offensive operations, the English armies with their long and thinly guarded lines of communication, would be placed in great jeopardy.” * * * * * (By =Chas. S. Goldmann=, war correspondent with Gen. Buller and Lord Roberts in the South African Campaign. MacMillan & Co., 1902.) “Had the defence (of Cape Colony) been entrusted to less capable hands than those of Gen. French, who, with a mere handful of troops succeeded not only in checking the Boer advance, but in driving them back on Colesberg, it is not unreasonable to suppose that the enemy would have been able to push on south and west to Craddock and Hex River range and thus bring about a state of affairs which might have shaken British rule in South Africa to its foundation.” SECOND EXAMPLE. (_Boston Globe_, Jan. 12, 1900. By =Franklin K. Young=.) “Lord Roberts’ first object will be the rescue of Lord Methuen’s army now blockaded near Magersfontein by Gen. Conje. “As the first step to effect this, the British commander-in-chief at once and with all his force, will occupy the line from Naauwpoort to De Arr. There, he will await the arrival of twenty-two transports now en route from England. “With these reinforcements, he will advance directly to the Modder River by the route previously taken by Lord Methuen.” * * * * * (By =Chas. S. Goldmann=, Sp. Cor. British Army.) “Slow to recognize their opportunities, the enemy were still in the midst of preparation, when Gen. French reached De Arr. Meanwhile a detachment under Major McCracken occupied Naauwpoort, to which place thirty days’ supplies for 3000 men and 1100 animals had been ordered. “In the ten weeks of fighting which ensued, prior to the arrival of the British main army, Gen. French by his skillful tactics held a powerful force of Boers at bay, checked their descent into the southern part of the colony, defeated their attempt to display the Vierkleur across the cape peninsular, and materially influenced, if not absolutely determined, the entire future of the campaign.” * * * * * (By =Chas. S. Goldmann=, Sp. Cor. with British Army.)