The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-14
FORCES The
BIGGARSBERG.
Gen. Butler Makes a Successful
Forward Movement.
His Next Step Will Be to Occupy
Dundee.
BOERS SPLITTING UP
In Front Of Brabant'sA sAdVaneIng
Column.
Orange Free State About to BE
Formally Annexed.
BOERS SPLITTING UP


patch received by the Associated Press,
from Pietermaritzburg Natal, timed
l2.O5 d. m. today brings the first intima-
ton of a. success attained by Gen. Bui-
Ter in northern Natal The sender OF
this dispatch evidently assumes that
news of the affair has been received dl-
rect from the scene of hostilities, for he
merely says:
Gen. Buffers official telegram notify
ing of his success at the Biggarsbers,
received here an hour ago, mas given
keen satisfaction. 1t is confidently an
ffcipated that Dundee will be occupied
nv the British today The residents oil
the north country are delighted, as Iorc-
ing the Biggarsberg means that tney
will speedily be enabled to return TO
their homes
Anther dispatch to the Associated
Press dated Stone Hill farm, $40 TINS
morning says
After four days march eastward at
the foot of the Biggarsberg ridge IN the
direction of Helpmakaar which was oc-
cupied by the federals. the second brig
ade Sunday, led the attack. Dundon-
aids cavalry broke the Beers center
and Bethunes Horse advanced on their
extreme right In the direction of Pom
eroy a small party of burghers occupied
ridge overlooking Helpmakaar pul
they did not wait for the assault
Recent British scouting in the dlrec-
tion of Dundee has shown that the fed
erals were in great force on the Big
garsberg. So apparently, Gen. Butler
concluded that it was necessary to clear
them from his rear. before commencing
a movement in the direction of the
Drakensberg range. If that is his plan
he has possibly divided his forces send
ing one column to threaten Nryhead
and Utrechat. and take LaingS Mex in
the rear, while westbound column at
tempts to form a junction with the
forces of Lord Roberts. via the Har-
rismth railroad. kilograms from
KrOOnstad indicate that Gen. French'S
cavalry is keeping in touch with the
Beers but perhaps Lord Roberts will be
compelled to order a brief halt of his
main body in order to allow the troops
to recuperate after the exhausting
marches of the past week.
All the correspondents agree that to
all intents and purposes, the Free
Staters have severed their military alli-
ance with the Transvaal though scatter
ed bodies, they say, will possibly hold
out here and there.
At the same time a dispatch from
Cape Town dated today says pr9cla-
nation will be published this week an
neXing the Orange Free State. 1t is al
so said that Cen Botha (the commander
in chief Of the BOer fOrces) threatens to
resign if any preparations are made for
the wanton destruction of property
Cecil Rhodes starts for Beira POrtu-
guese East Africa today.
The correspondent of the Reuter- Tele-
gram company at Cape Town says the
American residents are taking steps To
-repudiate the statements of Webster
Davis, the former United States assist
ant secretary of the interior who re-
Gently visited South Africa.
News from Mafelzing is expected
speedily.
SCATTERED BY BRABRANT.
Thaba N'Chu, Sunday. May 13-The
eighth division with it's front extending
80 miles was yesterday moving forward
LHafara aFrlNl 4
lowed the Beers reaching Newber.ry $
mills and capturing great quantities of
-four and grain. Gen. Brabrant's main
force with Campbelrs brigade Of guards
and Cen Boyes' brigade have cleared
the country.
The Beers are splitting up and retir-
ms in the direction Of Clocoland
STEYN'S NEW CAPITAL.
Kroonstad, Saturday. May 12-Presi.
dent Steyn has gone to Heilbr1n MOI
llndley He has declared the former
the new capital. Four hundred burgher.
Rave given up their arms here and il
this neighborhood. Although the bridg.
across the Nalsch has been DESTROYED :
good deviation exists wher the roaf
ran before the bridge was constructed
The Transvaalers are reported to h,
marching at the Vaal. The STANDARD
and Diggers News of Johannesbur,
shows that dissensions exist in tn,
Transvaal NOksraad
Railway repairs are progressing ran
luly- Inc town accepts the occupation
quietly.
RORERTS'- TALE OF WOE
London, May IA. S:12 D. m.-The wa
office has received the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts:
kro9nstad. Sunday May 13=Ther
We're more casualties in the cavalry di
vision May 10 than reported by me
have been unable to get an exact ar
count of what occurred, as the com
manding officer, Captain Elworthv. wa
killed. and two officers We're wound :
at the same time and have been sen
to the rear, but it would appear that
party of our men going up to xras
on which a white flag was flying wa
suddenly attacked by a large nuno he
Of the enemy Two officers, CAPITAL
Haig, of the Sixth dragoons and Lien
Wilkinson of the Australian hors
were made prisoners. and q men an
still unaccounted for. Some of theI
may have turned up, as the cavalr
covered a considerable distance May 1
and reported missing have been rejoir
ing during the last few days"
The above dispatch refers to til
losses sustained by the InnislxiIine
the Associated Press Saturday las
The troopers We're fired on while uY
saddling their horses, having al
preached the kraal unsuspiciously as
white flag was flying from it.
BULLER STILL PUSHING ON.
London. May IA special dispatc
from Stone Hill Farm, Natal dated t.
day. says:
General Buffers advance commence
Thursday, when he left Ladysnlith
strength. When within two miles
Belpmakaar the Beers opened heaX
artillery fire and the British guns 7
piled while a portion Of Buffers trool