The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-05-10
BIG BATTLE EXPECTED.
Indications Of Heavy Fighting Near
Thnba N'Chu-strength OF the 3
Forces-Boers Aggressive.

London, May 2.-Fighting, heavier
than any since Ladysmith, seems to be
imminent near Thaba N'Chu. The dis
patches Of Lord Roberts, dated Mon
day and Tuesday. show that the Boer
rear guard, stubbornly resisting his adj
vance, forced the British on Saturday
and Sunday to act chiefly on the de-
fensive. Gen. French, who is direct
ing the operations. has at least $4,000
men. Some estimates give him 10000.
h Beers are estimated to be at least
5000 strong, and possibly 10000. Ac-
cording to a dispatch from Pretoria,
dated April 2s, they were expecting to
give battle, and have numerous artil-
lery. So long as the Beers engage the
attention of half of Lord Roberts force
at Thaba N'Chu his advance toward
Pretoria will be delayed. No one here,
however. considers that Gen. Botha
will be able to stand longer than a few
days. The feeling is that he must be
beaten off by the masses of Lord Rob-
erts.
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
h Times, telegraphing Monday, says:
The fighting at Thaba N'Chu is of a des-
ultory nature. The whole front is now
to be swept by mounted troops, pre-
pa%ratory to a definite forward move
ment, for which the forces may now
be termed. organized.
London, May 2.-The following dis
patch has been sen by Lord Roberts to
the war office:
"Bloemfontein, April 3O.-The Beers
MADE very persistent attacks round
Thaba N'Chu Saturday and Sunday, but
the position which the Eighth (Rundle's)
division holds is very strong and he had
the assistance of Gordon's and Dickson's
brigades, the cavalry under French and
Smith-Dorrien's infantry brigade and a
! body OF mounted infantry under Ian Ham
ilton. Pole-Carew's division returned from
Dewetsdorp yesterday"
; Lord Roberts also reports additional
casualties sustained during the fight.
ing of April 81 around Thaba N'Chu
consisting of Lieut.. Geary and two en-,
listed men killed and one officer and
three enlisted men wounded.
The war office has received>t the fol
lowing dispatch from Gen. Roberts:
"Bloemfontein. May Ian Hamilton
marched yesterday in a northerly direc,
tion from Thaba N'Chu with a body o,
mounted infantry and Smith, orrien'.
brigade of Clements division. At Haul
ney he found himself opposed by a strong
force commanded by Gen. Botha in person
Reenforcements reached this force durinf
the day n I directed French to strength.
en- him during the night from Thabs
N'Chu.
This he was able to do, as the number
Of Beers in the neighborhood of Thabe
N'Chu had considerably decreased. In ad
dition to these troops Hamilton should be
reinforced during the day by Broadwood's
cavalry and Bruce-Hamilton's infantry
brigade.
Hamilton mentioned that his casualties
yesterday were about 30.
"Maxwell's brigade of the Seventh divi'
sion yesterday occupied Vlaksontors ant
Schauskraal, a row of kopjes, without
meeting with opposition. But the mount
ed infantry were engaged for some hours.
All accounts tell of much artillery
firing, with scarcely any casualties. II
is hardly likely that two such forces
can much longer patiently face each
other without more stirring occur
rences. Gen. Brabant's column is eX.
pected to join Gen. French shortly. A
number of Beers are reported to have
been seen retiring north, but this is
scarcely authoritative.