Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-11
FORWARD MARCH!
Roberts Crosses Zand River,
Pushing Beers Back.
Boer Front 20 Miles Long, but British
Line is Longer.
England Is EIatei at Ge,. Roberts, Swift
Progress Toward Pretoria.

London, May 10.-Lord Roberts an
nouncement, this evening, Of the flight
Of the Beers from the Zand river nat
urally caused considerable gratifica-
ton at the war office where it is now
believed that he will not allow the fed
erals enough breathing space to re-
form southwark of Kroonstad. 1t is
just possible that Lord Roberts trans
port may be in such condition that he
will be able to keep his troops moving
50 rapidly as to drive the Beers right
through Kroonstad without giving
them time to organize resistance in the
formidable entertainments 50 carefully
prepared a the Valsch river. The fact
that Gen. French and the cavalry
have been brought UP to supplement
Gen. Huttons mounted infantry leads
to the hope in British official circles
that the pursuit announced by Lord
Roberts may prevent all the Boer guns
and convoy from escaping.
The action of the customs authori-
ties at Lourenzo Marques in more
closely scrutinizing consignments for
the Transvaal is liable to be serious
matter for the Beers, and, indirectly,
for the British prisoners, who are liza
Of any shortage of food stuffs.
London, May lot is officially an
nounced that the British have crossed
the Zand river and that the Beers are
being pushed back from their strong
positions.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
Gable Cart, Zand River, May TO-
1870 p. M.-The enemy are in full re-
treat They occupied a position 20
miles in length. Ours was necessarily
longer. With the widely scattered
force it will take some time to learn
the casualties, but 1 am hopeful we
have not suffered much. The cavalry
and horse artillery are pursuing the
enemy by three routes"
Lord Roberts telegraphs to the war
office from Welgelegen, under date of
May 8, evening, as follows:
'PoleCarew's and fuckers divis-
ions, HamiltOn's column Of heavy ma
val and royal garrison artillery guns
and four brigades Of cavalry marched
here. today. The enemy hold the OPP
posite bank of the Zand river. Their
strength will be ascertained, tomorrow,
"
sage Of the river"
Lord Roberts also reports to the war
Office as follows:
Gable Cart, Headquarters at the
Front. May 1910 A. M.-We are now
across the Zand river. The enemy are
still holding a strong position, but we
are gradually pushing them back"
The war office has received from
7 vi Dphn ~, lat nd
river camp. May g. saying: Il have
received q most CHEEKY telegram from
adcn-Powell. dated April 81
The crossing of the Zand river by the
British appears to have been effected
sooner than even the most sanguine
expected. and this morning, Lord
Roberts temporary headquarters is
established in a cable cart on the north
bank of the river. Through the oppo-
sition the federals are offering shows
that yesterdays report Of the abandon
ment Of their position We're ill-found-
ed. Lord Roberts advance force, con-
sisting of from 10000 to 1900 mounted
men, besides infantry. artillery and the
naval contingent. appears to be suffi-
GENTLY powerful to overwhelm any OPP
position the burghers can offer. Even
have been reinforced by 5000 men from
other commands and possess score
of heavy guns, the experts believe the
opposition will not be prolonged
further than is necessary TO remove
the guns and other impediments in the
drec ton of Kroonstad.
Further reports from LOurenZo
Marquee show that the customs au-
thorities there. in addition to clothing
ana shoes, refuse to clear corned beef
for the Transvaal, holding it as con-
traband.
Thaba N'Chu. May 9.-The Beers
have moved their headquarters in this
district from Ladybrand to Cloculan.
They occupy strong positions at Me-
gathling's Mex.
The British, including Gen. Brabant,
are scattered among a number OF STRAIT
egical points securing the country
south of the line from Winburg to
Ladybrand.
Maseru. May 9.-The Free Skaters
Continued on page 80