The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-20
THE PROGRESS OF THE sOUTH
AFRTC/N WAR.

The troops that.are TO form the column for
the relief OF Kimberley began to assemble at
the Orange River station Wednesday. On that
day brigade OF the Guards arrived there from
Cape Town. and have since then been prob
ably Joined by other regiments. They are to
move lightly equipped. so that II seems In
tended to push forward by forced marches
From the Orange River to Belmont the railway
Ia in the hands OF the British. but on the
Kimberley side OF the last-named place the
track has been taken up and the Modder
River bridge destroyed. and the railway beyond
that again has been damaged. so that from
Belmont on the advance will have to bo by
road. From Horetown on the Orange River
there are two rosds. one direct to Kimberley.
the other to Barkly on tho north side Of the
Vaal River. which has been occupied by the
Free Staters. The distance to be covered be-
tween Belmont and Kimberley is only about
hfty-fve miles. but there are some obstacles in
the way that will retard the advance OF the
relieving column. to say nothing Of the prob
ability OF It's being harassed by the Beers
while on the march.
very interesting account Is given In another
place OF the wande rings OF the British officials
who wore turned out OF Vryburg, between
kimberley and MnfekInG. after the Beers had
occupied the place on Oct II and installed Boer
administration. According TO the statement
OF ono OF tho British officials. Mr.. Penrose. the
Transyaal burghers manifested much moro
personal hostility toward them than the Free
Staters.
A delayed despatch OF Nov. IA from Estcourt
speaks OF the arrival there OF two long-ranRe
naval r. FOUNDER guns and OF their having
been placed In position for the defence. Later
news shows that one OF these guns had already
been brought into action against Boer scout
Ing party. From the reports OF scouts sent out
from Estcourt. the Beers have n considerable
force stretched out along tho British front
south OF the Tugela from Springfield on the
northwest TO the Bushman River VAL
ley. keeping watch on the British move
ments from the south. but there are no
indications rs yet OF an intention 10 seriously
dispute the British advance south Of the line OF
tho Tugela. To do so would require a larger
force than can be spared from round Lady.
smith. and might hazard the whole situation.
good deal depends on tho strength and
whereabouts OF the Boer com mando that has
been at various times reported at different
points In Zuuland and suspected OF having
Greytown on the flank OF the British advance
from Pietermartzburg as their objective.
A report says that moro guns have been
brought down by the Beers to aid In the re-
duction OF Ladysmith and that force has
been sent to the south OF tine Orange Free
State to aid In repelllng the British invasion
from the direction OF Kimberley. This proba-
bly, 10 the same force alluded TO several days
ago as having left the Transvaal to re-enforce
the Free State army Statements are be-
ing made that Basutos are with the Beers.
aiding them in various ways. This gives color
to the reports Of the detection from tho British
side OF ono OF the most i'm portant OF the Basuto
chiefs. Khsma. chief OF the Bnmangwatos. ap-
pears to have been definitely taken into alliance
by the Rhodesian authorities. in which case
the Beers can lsgitimately accept the assist
ance OF the Basutos and Zuius who offer their
service.