Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-13
ON B0ERS' EASTFLANK
British Occupy Strong Position at
Slingersfontein.
SHARP FIGHT FOR THE PLACE
Enthusiasm in London Over De-
parture Of Volunteers.
HY ST F. r &c A L S c Z n E s

RENSBURG, Cape Colony. January ID
strong force of British troops advanced
this morning under cover OF a brisk artil-
lery fire and encamped at Slingersfontein,
on the Beers eastern flank. The Boer pa
trolls retired. but subsequently body VI
Beers attempted to seize the position.
threatening communication between the
British encanpmeEt and Rensburg. The
New Zealanjers, with a brilliant dash,
frustrated she attempt. They raced and
seized the position first and fired voleys at
the enemy, who retired in the direction of
Coiesburg.
LONDON. January 13.-The movement of
General F'reuch's troops in the vicinity of
Colesbers this morning is taken to indi-
cate that General Lord Roberts has recog-
nized the Impor lance of General French S
objective nancy, to obtain command OF
both bridges across the Orange liver, and
has FASTENED to send HIN rcInfurcements-
1t is also thought to partIaiy connrm the
SUGGESTION max Gen butler plans III
ciuIe synchronous movements i'll all the
spheres OF OPERATION
About 400 troops sailed for South A1rlcd
This afternoon.
Enthusiasm Over the Volunteers.
LONDON. January 13.-Though many
stirring scenes have marked the departure
of the British troops for the front, during
recent months, today's outburst of patrio-
tism on the occasion of the starting OF the
London volunteers, was quite unprece-
dented since the jubilee. 1t is the first
time IN the history OF the movement that
British volunteers have been permitted to
serve side by side with the regulars In
real warfare and the people turned out
in hundreds of thousands to fittingiy ceie-
brate 1t. The crowds began to throng the
route before dawn and Increased in such
proportions that d detachment Of the lord
mayors enguifed at various
stages of the march. The ranks were
broken and the troops at times were al
most lost sight of in the cheering, shout
ing, singing mob.
Every and then d malt had to be
made, in order TO reform the ranks. but
only To be broken again, as the police were
utterly unable 10 stem the excited, cheer
ing. living mass of people, winch again and
again broke TN ougn all distractions The
hAudSEaSinSs and emDrac.nss were so
ucerdnt that the original SnldrIneSS of the
volunteers was speedily impaired, many
uniforms being torn But the troops finally
naged to struggle through to the man
sion house
Reviewed by the Mayor.
ON the bal>ony of that building the lord
mayor. Mr. y. J. Newton; the lady mayor
ess. the councillors and others awaited the
arrival of the volunteers, and witnessed
them actually lighting their way through
the dense crowds, assisted by male friends
and inpedei by cIinging women. When the
force was finally reformed the lord mayor
attempted to make speech, but found it
impossible The Din was simply deafenIng,
and the cnief magistrate had to be content
70 indicate MS good wishes 10y smiles and
gestures. while the volunteers greeted him
with cheers ana waving their hats on their
raised rifles.
There WIS another hercuIean effort on
the part vi tE.e police and the detachment
resumed its march. 10 the accompaniment
OF pushing, screaming, cheering and sing
Ing The C-sIma nstt hardly covered 100
yards. wnen g. az IN IN ermI.gled with the
SUlslBg CisVScS VINO had disputed sway
al +ls the r'llrrf- Many o. the volunteers
escaped Through side streets and others
struggled sloIIs IN single lille, twos or
three- by tHe TINE they reached the
Thames enlsa kline III the detachment had
become cong lUmurdtIuH, women's hats
being Numerous in the ranks the
volunteers hvadgear So slow was the
progress That over an hour was consumed
IN traverS!ug the mile to Westminster.
There the police arrangements improved
and the nTultituues We're marshaIed into
some KIND Of order.
Windows and Roofs Crowded.
The windows, roofs and every other van
tage point were crowded with singing and
cheering humanity. waving banners, hats
and handkerchIefs.
FINALLY the column reached Nine Eims
station, bearing numteriess traces of the
difficulties Of the march. The public
excluded, the final leave takIngs being held
outside. and the volunteers entIained and
departed amid a cOmninSInS Of band
music and cheering and the singing of
Aud Lang Syhe. "Ruie Britannia" and
God Save the Queen
The lord mayor Sheriffs and councillors.
in their state robes, accompanied by many
Iadhes, took another special train tor South