The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-04

brlTaIeS on separate recOnnalSSanceS
around the hills east of town. The
enemy. it was found held the hills
strongly though evidently only a rear
guard, as no transport was visible. The
Beers are now holding very steep
row of hills east.
London. May 1. - The only dispatch
from Lord Roberts since yesterday was
the usual list of deaths and sickness.
The flood Of newspaper dispatches to-
day describing the present operations
throws no light whatever upon the
present position of affairs. or Of the
great question as to when the main ad-
vance is to begin. The Standards an
nouncement that Gen. French's cav
airy are returning to Bloemfontein is
clear proof that there is no further
hope of capturing the retreating Beers
and the London papers are beginning
to display impatience at the practical
failure of the elaborate operations of
last week.
The Standard says: sit is dishearten-
ing to find that these elaborate ma
neuvers have brought so small 4 re-
suit
The Chronicle remarks: "We are re-
luctaDt to criticise Lord Roberts. but
it is impossible to shut our eyes to the
fact that during the last ten days we
have gained very little from our enor-
nous display of force
Without doubt these operations have
been Of a very eXhausting nature and
will entail further delay. The Bloem-
fontein correspondent of the Times.
writing March 3. after the Paardeburg
affair." describes Lord Roberts army as
a wreck. because it was without horses
and without transport. There is very
little from other quarters.
The sudden decision of the Boer
peace delegates to go to America is at
tributed to the fact that the govern
ment of the Netherlands. after sound
ing all the European capitals, told them
they had nothing to hope for from Eu-
rope.
Col. Dalgaty's force at Wepener num-
bered 1.7OO His losses during the
siege were 80 killed and 149 wounded.
It is reported that there was an en-
gagement yesterday at Karee Siding,
but no details have been received.
Beers Will Make IL Stand.
London, May /. - The Bloemfontein
correspondent of the Chronicle, tele-
graphing Saturday, says: A Cavalry
reconnaissance three miles northeast
encountered 400 Beers The British
drove them out of Il kopje north Of
Karec. Our outposts are still harrassed
by moving commanders. In an out
post affair OH Thursday several Beers
were killed. The enemy will certainly
make stand at Kroonstad, where
they have constructed miles Of
trenches.
Suited to BOer Tactics.
Lordon. May 1. - The Bloelnfontein
correspondent of the Standard says:
The Beers have taken every advantage
of the mountainous nature of the cOun-
try. which marks their retreat to Lady
brand. Their manner of retiring is
beautiful and it is doubtful if they
can be reduced in a district so suited
to their tactics. l have visited the
British outpost, the one nearest Brand
fort. The Beers show the deepest
anxiety to learn the probable action
of Our advance and they declare they
will not fire shot from Brandfort. as
they wish to save the town from bonn
baItlment. The enemy are intrenched
on the hills southeast Of Brandfort. but
they are not likely to make any serious
stand until we reach Kroonstad.
Comm mandant Olivier Wounded.
,.-Aliwalnorth, May 1. 1t is reported
here that Commandant Olivier was
wounded at Wepener last Monday.
Six New Zealanders. while. scouting,
fought six Beers, killing three and
WOunding three. One New Zealander
was wounded. The Inhabitants of
Riouxville do not know to which gov
ernment they belong as there is no
civil administration there.
5Bocr Commissioners Coming.
The Hague, May /. - The members
Of the Boer peace commission will sail
from Rotterdam for the United States
next Thursday evening by the Holland
American line steamer Maaslam. DR..
! Leyds and DIR. Matter will not accom-
pany the delegates.
sa FOrestnlled by Botlla.
London, May 1. = The Bloemfontein
correspondent of the Standard, under
Fridays date, describing the manner
) Of Gen. Botha's retreat which enabled
the Beers to evade being surrounded,
says: Gen. Botha arrived at Dewets-
uOEp luulSuuy anu iululcud1tclS uAS~
patched a commando to oppose Gen.
French's column. We appear to have
been forestalled by Botha by just
twenty-four houhs. According to the
/. latest reports from Thaba N'Chu the
enemy are still withdra wing their
wagons and guns.
British Will Hold Thaha N'Chu.
Bloemfontein. May 1. - 1t is under
stood that the British will continue to
hold Thaba N'Chu owing to it's STRAIT
egic Importance, especially with view
Of checking future raids. The COM
mandoes that had recently been operat-
s ing in the. direction of Thaba N'Chu
I are melting away, the Beers quietly
Z returning to their farms and many of
them taking the oath of allegiance.
Experience has shown, however, in
many cases that this is only pretence
4 to enable the Beers to create disturb
ances on the rear of the British, and
vigorous methods will probably he nee.
I. easary to force real disarmament.
Beers Disappointed.
!Ws9r.n5ox Mov 4 - Tho Standard n