The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1900. A TRIUMPHANT PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 55, 20 March 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1900. A TRIUMPHANT PROGRESS.

The rapid and everywhere-victorious advance of the British forces under Lord Roberts may be taken as indicating that the enemy have practically lost heart, and are only fending oft' the day of submission and final discomfiture in the forlorn hope of European intervention —a hope which even to the most sanguine Boer must grow more forlorn every day. The fact that the Free State capital was occupied by Lord Roberts' army not only without any attempt at opposition but with the glad acclamations of its citizens is an omen of most happy portent, besides being an event that must have pro-j foundly impressed the European I Powers. If the sentiments voiced at Bloemfontein represent in any large measure those of the Free Staters generally (and there is no reason for thinking otherwise) there is likely to be a continued defection of their troops from the enemy's forces ; a defection, by the way, that is likely to infect the Transvaalers with a similar notion. The final phase of the war may be the defence of Pretoria by the foreign mercenaries now in charge of the Transvaal artillery, the burghers having had enough of war to last them for the present generation at any rate. It would be a piece of magnificent irony if Kruger, who all along has played into the hands of foreign adventurers at the expense of the best interests of his country, was at the last repudiated by the burghers and left with his favoured foreigners to finish the business out by themselves. The Free Staters have already repudiated Steyn, and it would be an instance of classic retribution if Kruger were similarly treated. But whether this comes to pass or not there are many indications that Kruger has lost the influence he lately held over the Boers, and no longer possesses the power to rally them for any serious stand against our victorious troops. Everything points to the probability of Lord Roberts continuing his triumphant progress in the direction of Pretoria, and to the melting away of the Boer forces that are now between our troops and their objective. A noticeable feature of the present victorious operations is the prominent part played therein by General French, it is not too much to say that this able and dashing officer will share with his Commander-in-Chief the honours of the campaign, aud colonials will feel gratification at the thought of their favourite General coming in for special recognition at the hands of the Empire.