Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-11
BLUNDEI,s SOMEWHERE. =
Lord Roberts May Be Compelled to
Fight FREQ state Campaign over

Lord Roberts May Be Compelled to-
Fight Free State Campaign over
Again.
London, April 11.--Boers and Britons
are killing one another at Wepener.
Gen. Brabant's colonials, who are gar
risoning the town, have at their backs
the forbidden ground of Basutoland.
and are assailed on the other three
sides by commands Of aggressive.
sburghers. The battle ragged all day
Monday and at the latest report was
still in progress. The dispatch yester-4
day asserted the British had checked the
Beers. but 1t is admitted that the gar
rison's losses are heavy The Boer
losses are also reported as numerous.
The Beers discovered early in the:
struggle that they had undertaken a
difficult task, and sent dispatch riders
galloping to Dewesdorp and Rockville
for re-enforcements. These seem
promptly to have been obtained. There
is an Impression here that unless re-
lief reaches the garrison before great
while 1t may be found necessary TO sur
lirender, but 1t is known, on the other
hand, that Dalgetty's command is we'll
supplied. with guns. ammunition and
provisions.
1t is reported also that hostilities
have been renewed in the Sunday riv-
ler's region, Natal. The Beers in that
locality are extremely aggressive, and
lit is supposed that Gen. Butler has been
forced to come to close quarters with
them. The burghers have posted
heavy guns on the range at Glands
laagte, and It is thought that these
may have opened on the British troops.
The Boer advises that told Of Col.
Plumer's repulse after having advanced
within six miles of Mafeking have been
|5confirmed. and 1t is seen again how
wholly inadequate was this force to the
pro- oblem 1t confronted.
Lord Roberts apparently is about to
be compelled to fight the Orange Free
State campaign over again. His swift
telling operations beginning at Jacobs
dal and ending In the occupation OF
4 Bloemfontein drove the Beers to con-
a centrate on the line to Pretoria, bu
then came the breakdown in the com.
mander in CHIEFS support and practi.
y cally the whole advantage gained wa:
8 speedily lost. Plainly there has beer
stupendous laundering somewhere.
= Bloemfontein was occupied four week:
. ago and the British army has been ut
: slIterly inactive ever since. The railway t,
: Norval's pont was found in good condt
. ton and Lord Roberts communication
.iiwfth Cape Tawn We're working satisfac
) sItorily almost Immediately after the Or
!. Iange Free State capital fell into his pos
! ilsession. This would appear to; fix tn
y Responsibility for lack Of equipment OF
e 1.-The war office.
There is just possibility that Gen
!. Cronje's overthrow may prove after al
9 la costly victory. Such was the mobilit.
: of the fugitive general that Gen. Frencl
in order to effect his capture was com
). .lpelled to cruelty the British cavalry
e land it is rather expected that the eX
$ tperience will induce the British to re
e lfrain from running any more races Wit
e 1.-THE Beers unless the movement promise
r a great reward.
q If Lord Roberts decides that he ca
s protect his communications withou
e stopping again TO clear the souther
t half OF the Orange Free State of Dutc
e elbelligerents 1t is probable that he wi
q move straight toward his ultimate oh
y jective. However. this policy is. recoe
# flnized to involve dangers. It is liable
II fail to drive the Beers into a compat
+ Organization before the British guns an
y few persons here suppose that the con
) mander In chief will take the chance
Of leaving too long a line of4commun
cation beset by hostile bands OF DARN
men.