The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-02
commanders have cotton safely away
with the transport.

those OF Gen French and zen RGndie
Nothing is said about the troops OF
Gems Brabant, Pole Carew, Hart and
CEernside, bus the indications from
hliwal North show that several small
commanders are still lowering in the
vicinity of Springfield. causing
certain amount of danger. and the
advicee from Dewet's Dorp outlining
the duties of Gen Chermside. justify
the conclusion that it vii! be still
necessary to employ considerable
bady Of troops to keep the Free
State clear of Beers.
The position is that the Beers who
began their raid month ago by com
pe1ling Col Broadwood to retire to
Bloemfontein, have cotton safely
away to the northward, practically
without loss. but with the advantage
of seven guns, together with a hun.
dred prisoners captured
Meanwhile, the advance to Pre-
toria has not begun Small wonder
is it that muf1ed complaints and
criticisms are beginning to be heard
here and there against Lord Roberts
Two thirds of his entire force have
been employed in effecting this
small satisfaction, and the probability
is that the whole force must be again
concentrated on Bloemfontein before
the main advance begins As similar
raids ou the British communications
are likely to be repeated it is eviden.
tly still far cry to Pretoria.
The signifcenc Of Gen Hunters
division going to Kimberly, where
mounted troops are also arriving
daily, is now said to be serious
attempt to deal with the strong Boer
forces on the Vaal river, now threat
ening to retake Barkley and then en-
deavor to relieve Mafeking. 1t will
be borne in mind that Gen Hunter
paid hurried visit to Lord Boberts
at Bloemfontein
A temporary railway bridge has
just been completed at Betbulie,
where hitherto railway trucks had
been transferred over the wagon
bridge. This will greatly facilitate
getting stores up to Bloemfontein
Mr. PouItney Bigeiow, discussing
4he treatment of South African rebels.
says that the wisdom of the United
States government in not Furnishing
the Confederates after the war OF
secession has borne good fruit, and
be suggests that similar result
would follow similarly liberal policy
in South Africa.
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
the Morning Post, teIegraphing
Thursday, says "Most satisfactory
progress has been made in the accu-
mutation of stores during the present
week Supply park now presents q
respectable appearance The pros
poets of general sdvaoce are more
favorable I"
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
the Times. telegraphing Thursday.
Gays "There appears to be little
chance of iufictiug effective punish
ment on the retreating Beers Com
mandant General Louis Botha who
arrived at Dewet's dorp Monday
realized the situation at once aud
ordered the immediate Withdrawal! OF
the Beers both from there and from
WepeDer +"
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
the Chronicle, telegraphing Thurs
day. says: "The latest reports show
that the Beers passed cas-. of Thaba
n 'Chu. when going north A pris-
oper reports that a commando which
doubled back on the pursuing British
is now making it's way ives. in the
direction of Leeuw kop "
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
the Daily Telegraph, under Thurs
day date, says : 1.-The Beers who
retreated from Dewet's dorp kept
we'll ahead Of Gen Frenchs cavalry
Unless the enemy should make a
stand ct Kroonstad Lord Roberts will
rapidly cross the Vaal river y
Other Bloemfontein dispatches
throw interesting points of light upon
the situation. One special says !:
"seven hundred and fifty wagons of
Boer heavy transport train have
reached Kroonstad from the south,
Only light wagons have been left
behind. The Beers have organized
specially mounted corps for forag
ing and other work requiring special
mobility"
Another dispatch reports that be-
fore the Beers were driven from
Dewet's dorp about 1000 of them
had been slowly retiring toward
LadybraDd where large supplies are
stored and immense corn6elds are
ready for harvesting.