at the earliest possible date.

5. My hope is that the Boers at Colesberg will have been defeated
before Lord Methuen returns from Kimberley.

On his return he should send a force to attack the Boers at
Burghersdorp. There should then be 1,000,000 rations at Orange
River and 1,000,000 at De Aar, and I have directed that supply
should be accumulated at Port Elizabeth and East London. He can
then open new lines of supply as he moves eastward.

6. As soon as they can be occupied General Gatacre's force should
be advanced to Molteno or Stormberg, and any force at
Burghersdorp should be attacked.

If the Burghersdorp force has meanwhile advanced south it would
be attacked by Lord Methuen, aided by part of General French's
force, the two being based on Naauwpoort or Middleburg.

7. The exact nature of this operation must depend on the actual
circumstances at the time. The main point is, there will be
rations at De Aar and near it to enable a force under Lord
Methuen to move along the line eastward, repairing it as he goes,
and strong enough to clear the northern districts.

8. As soon as ever circumstances admit the bridges at Norval's
Pont and Bethulie will, of course, be seized; in short, the plan
is, clear the northern districts by working from west to east,
seize the bridges, and, as occasion admits, bring the shorter
lines of supply into use. Then concentrate for an advance on
Bloemfontein.

9. I think there are enough troops in the Colony to work this
programme, except that:

(1) There should be a battalion at Port Elizabeth.

(2) General Gatacre wants another battalion and a battery of
field artillery.

(3) General French should have the second battery Royal Horse
artillery, and eventually three cavalry regiments, and, if
possible, one more battalion.

10. With regard to Natal, I propose to send the 6th Dragoon
Guards and 10th Hussars, the 63rd, 64th, and 73rd batteries Royal
Field artillery, the remainder of General Hart's Brigade, _i.e._,
three battalions, as soon as they come in. We must do with them
the best we can.

11. I think the Colonial contingents had better go to Natal.

12. In my opinion, so long as General White holds Ladysmith the
force able to attack you from the Orange Free Stat