Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-05-12
Meets with Little Opposition at
Headquaflers OF Orange
Free State.
a FEW IRNIsKILLlNGs KILLED
A Decisive Battle Expected to
Take Place South of
Johannesburg.
HAVE 100 BoER PRISONERS

London. May 12.-It is officially an
nounced that Lord Roberts reports
that he marched twenty miles yester-
day and is now within fourteen miles
|of Kroonstadt.
London, May 12.-Lord Roberts tele-
graphs the war oftice from Geneva
Siding. May IL. evening: my head
quarters, with Pole -Carew's division,
marched twenty miles today and are
now at Geneva Siding. four miles from
Kroonstadt and about six miles from
Boshrand. where Beers are holding en-
trenched positions. Gordon's brigade
is in the touch with them; fuckers
division is short distance south
east; Hamilton's force is still further
east. Broadwood's brigade overlook
part Of the enemy's convoy at Pot
gieters Laager. southeast of Venters-
burg. and captured several wagons,
and some prisoners. French, with
Porter's and Dickens brigade and Hut
toms mounted infantry, is some dis
tance due north of this place. We
have taken nearly 100 prisoners in
the last two days. All Free Staters
who could give good account Of
themselves have been disarmed and
allowed to return to their farms. The
nights are getting much cooler"
Geneva Siding, May II, morning.
British forces arrived here, marching
splendidly, General French in advance.
Firing was heard yesterday in the
direction of his forces. Some Innis-
killings approached a Kraal where
Beers were concealed. 1t is expected
that the railroad to the Zand River
will be completed tonight. The line
was almost entirely destroyed north
of the river but beyond, where the
British are, the Beers retreated too
hastily to do much damage. The
Beers are reported entrenching them
miles on. Where the force of Beers
were concealed a white flag was flying
from the kraal. While the troopers
were unsaddling their horses deadly
fire was poured in upon them from
the windows of farm house, killing
several Innskilllngs. A score of them
were also captured, most of whom had
been wounded.
! London, May 12.-Lord Roberts is
now face to face with the BOer position
at Kroonstadt and despite the reports
of its strength the result Of the meet
ing OF the opposing forces is expected
to be very similar to the outcome fol-
lowing the British advance in Brand
fort and the Zand River Roberts is
apparently keeping the Federals NOV
ing far too quickly to give them time
for an effective oCcupati on of any
position near him, and though the
numerous kopjes in the n,eighborhood
of Kroonstadt afford stron positions
from which delaying action may be
found. it Is anticipated by The best ex-
perts here that the Beers, will now
hurry on to the Vaal where they will
once more attempt to stem the pass
age of the invading army, while the
bulk of the Federais prepare, for what
will perhaps be a decisive h hattle on a
ridge running east and we st south,
ward of johannesburg, where the open
ground to the southwark offesrs the de
tenders a splendid. advantage over any
attacking force.
Eden. May 11.-Boers returned
somewhat today, but 1t is impossible
to say where they may turn up next
owing to their great mobility. Gen