The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-07
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, FeD. 20.-All over England
there is cheering for the Queen and
singing of the national an
them. This, with mutual congratula-
tons, is the Briton's way of celebrat-
ing the most cheerful day Of the war.
Lord Roberts has done more than
to capture 1000 Beers and few guns.
He is within striking distance OF one
OF the Boer capitals and ia master OF |
a large district Of the Free Safe. He |
has given shock to Boer confidence |
and UNNECESSARILY restored tho spirit |
OF his own troops. In capturing |
Cronje, he has taken leader whose
presence alone was worth thousands to |
the Boer cause. The best opinion
here ia that the Transvaalers are GER
tain 10 continue the fight with undi-
minished valor; but it 10 not so certain
about the Free Staters.
LONDON, March 1,-"Ladysmith re-
liovedp London fairly shouted the
news this morning. Excitement and
iubllation over the tidings were almost
past belief. When Crouje surrendered
there was only o languid interest in
comparison. A bright, cold day added
to the spirits of the people, who have
expected this news for some days. An
immense crowd by some intuition
packed Pail Mall at the early hour of
$3.50. Their eagerness for news was
rewarded by posting the following war
office bulletin: "4-ytsleton's headquar-
ters, March l, 9:05 A. NJ Dundonald,
with Natal carbinie-s and composite
regiment, entered Ladysmith last night.
lhe country between us and Lady
smith is reported clear of the enemy. l
am moving to Melthrope." BUTLER.
Ladysmith was in deepest straits.
Gen. Whites force was almost at its
last gasp.
This was not 40 much on account OF
any lack Of provisions or ammunition,
as because OF the poisonous waters of
the Kip and the evil effects OF the
heat on the terrain in which the garri-
son must reside. Even those who have
escaped fever, dyeentery and diarrh9 |
we're in p state OF low vitality. They
could still man trenches and would
probably have held their own against o
last, desperate assault; but they could
initiate nothing. General Butler now
knows that, as units, the regiments will
be of no use to him for months.
LONDON, March 2.-Jubilation is
settling down to sober view of the
war situation. If Englishmen think
The British can now open a second
chapter of the war at leisure, Lord Rob.
erts does not. Yesterday while with
Kitchener, at a dinner given by the
mayor of Kimberly, he said he must
leave, as the Beers are reported al
Kip Dcift aud Windsorton. These
are on Roberts rear flank.
LONDON, March 2. = Gen. Blu. lei
wires from Nelthrope, today's date
that seventy five wagons with supplies
are now entering Labyrinth, the frs
eleven containing hospital comforts.
LONDON, March 2,--Lord 'Lans
downe chose the moment Of popula
rejoicing to announce estimates exceed
ing e61, 900, 900, unfolding the pro
gramme of the war Office to send out
in addition to the 10000 troops nov
sfoat, sc, 900 fresh soldiers. Lore
Roberts will ultimately have force o
quarter of q million.
An order has reached Woolwicl
arsenal for the construction Of 224 nev
guns, from 3-pounders to 12-inch guns
} OF these, 140 are TO be naval guns. Al
ready $4,000 workmen are employed a
the arsenal and 5000 more will be en-
gaged.
The Beers seem to have gotten quit
away from around Ladysmith withou
losing qua or their baggage. Val
Reene's Pass is only about 20 mile
from Lady3mith. The enemy had ar
tillery in action Tuesday and they prob
ably utilized both railroads in retreat
ing, sending heavy pieces TO Pretori
and the lighter ones into The Free State
DR.. Leyds says General Joubert i
assembling $4,000 men at Winburg
70 miles northeast of Bloemfontein
Colonel Albrecht, according to de
spatch from Paardeberg, affrms that tn
Beers have rs 900 men left.
Whether Lord Roberts is at Bloom
fontein now or not, he doubtless 600
, will be dating his dispatches there an,
using the town AS his advanced base.
} Lord Kitchener's mission is to com
bine the forces under Gen. Clemen
and Gen. Gatacre and to advance alon!
| the line of the railroad to Bloemfontein
The railway will simplify immensel
, the perpleXities of transport.
The conditions at Lsdysmith are nov
better understood, as the military au
, thorities no longer retain their specia
: information. 1t appears that since tn
middle of January the horses have bee
half starved and altogether too wea
either to drag guns or to carry cavalry
: men. Hence the impossibility of d0h
, ing out to help Gen. Butler attack tn
Beers. These half starved animal
, were carefully saved for food.