Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-31
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Boer Opposition Practically Crushed
r. and Their Territory Annexed.
The beginning Of the present year found
the situation in South Africa decidedly
gloomy for the British arms operating
against the Beers The close Of the year
1899 had been marked by a series of bril-
liant operations on the part of the Beers
and serious reverses for the British. Gen,
Buffers efforts for the relief Of Ladysmith
had all proved unavailfng as well as disas-
trous. The garrison at Kimberly and Mafe-
king were also reported to be in dire straits
and 1t was a serious question whether any
of the beleaguered cities could hold out un-
til relief came. In England there were
speeches In parliament were of the most
pessimistic character. A few of the gov
eminent leaders, however spoke out firmly
and boldly for carrying on the war to a
successful issue. They went into detail to
show what was being done and what were
the resources of the empire to meet the
emergency. George Wyndham, the under
secretary OF state for war, pointed out that
ample preparations had been made to bring
the war to speedy and successful issue
Counting the troops under General Butler
and those on transport, en- route to South
Africa, together with those about ready to
SAIL he said Great Britain would soon have
over 100000 men in South Africa These
statements, though reassuring to the Brit
ish public, were largely counteracted by the
news from the front. General Butler met
with continued reverses In his attempts to
cross the Tugela river and turn the Boer
position which barred the relieving army,s
road to Ladysmith.
On January II he made a second attemp.
to relieve Ladysmith. which resulted In a
serious disaster at Spion Kop on the night
of January %. No full official report of
the British losses on this occasion has been
made public. The estimate most commonly
accepted Is that 1t was about 1000, though
the Beers claim they found 1900 British
dead on the Kop and took $50 prisoners,
The Boer loss was estimated at about the
same. The British withdrew and recroesed
the Tugela to await developments. On Feb
ruary General Butler renewed his attempt
for the relief OF Ladysmith, but this third
effort. like its predecessors. was q failure.
Roberts on the Scene.
Meantime Lord Roberts and his STAN
landed at Cape Town on January 10 He
reached the Modder river February ..
Large reinforcements were beginning to ar
rive at the headquarters In the west. and
various mysterious movements OF troops on
new lines were reported or conjectured.
1t was reported that Roberts was executing
wide turning movement on General
Cronje's right flank to cut his communica-
ton and compel his immediate disband-
ment Of the siege at Kimberly and to COM
trenohed headquarters and supply depot at
Jacobsdal. near the Modder river. These
conjectures proved true. A great British
army had been quietly massed and invaded
the Free State and was swiftly turning
Cronjes flank tntrenched near Magersfon-
tein. The number of the British troops
was reported to have been 10000 infantry
and artillery. 1000 cavalry. with $50 guns.
General French. In command Of the ad-
vance force started from the Orange river
February II for the relief of Kimberly.
In about Ave days he succeeded in his un-
dertaking. entering the besieged city on
the afternoon OF February is. ending the
siege which had lasted LIB days. and re-
lieving the garrison Of $500 men, He met
little opposition on the way and captured
q great deal Of Cronjess supplies,
On February 10 General Cronje, with an I.
army estimated at 10000 men. abandoned
his fortified camp, where he had long held
General Methuen at bay. and started In full
retreat toward BIoemfontein. He fought a
rear guard action at Paardeberg on the
18th, which resulted In considerable loss
on both sides. Crenje's retreat was checked
by Keily-Kenny's cavalry and he was
forced to intrench himself IN the Modder
river valley to await reinforcements, These
reinf04cements cames but were not sum