Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-16
tBy Telegraph to virginian-pilot.


London, Feb. i6.-l:3O II. MAS the
wires are closed TO correspondents with
Lord Roberts, and us nothing further
from him has been communicated to
the public, the military adopts spend
their time in studying maps, topogra-
phy ana figuring out the possibilities of
Lord Roberts communications and
what there is left for the Bocrs TO do.
General CreHjc's communications
With Bloomfontcin have ;llrcay been
cut of. The best news England could
hear would be that lie elects to give
battle among the low hills and ridges
west oil Kimberley. Should he de-
tcrmi.c not To do this he must raise the
siege OF Kimberley and retreat To a
point where he would prefer 10 fight.
rms retirement could he 4 long de-
tour around the head oc Che British adj
vance TO IilOmfontein. or, as seems to
1nilitary students. more practicuDlc, he
could withdraw 10 the north. using the
railroad FOR his guns and heavy bag
gage, moving 10 Fourteen Streams sta
ton. and thence into rranSvaal terri
tory. '.'he liocrs have made no prcpa-
,ation 10 defend iilomrontein, and there
is no particular reason why General
tronJe should risk a battle to protect
the capital of the Free State.
suspended. y correspondent writing
from Chicvclcy February Ii says:
i've are still! hopeful, OF relieving
Ladysmiih."
CASUALTIES AT MAFEKING.
Colonel Baden Powell, In a dispa tch
from Mafcking. dated January %, after
mentioning matters already sent out by
correspondents. gives his total casual
ties IN Ia January ~ as follows: Killed
q officers and go men, wounded s OIL
GERS and l23 men; missing. "a men.
80 word has been received regarding
General Gatacrc's $4,000 men at Sym
berg The impression is that these
forces are on the way to Lord Roberts
CONT NCENCT ANTICIPATED.
Mr.. chamberlain's announcement in
the House Of Commons of the intention
of the government 10 encourage the
Iuus to defend themselves from The
Beers is Il contingency the Beers seem
10. have anticipated, as they have been
doing everything in their power TO win
the good VIII of the BasGtos. who have
thousands OF good rifles. The Beers
gave 1000 fIasu;os Il safe conduct. If
the British let loose one tribe the Bocrs
will probably lct loose another.
MORE RElNFORCEAtENTS.
The War Office has issued orders for
the formation of twenty-onc. new bat
tcr.cS ana three buttitiionS OF infantry
The Cabinet Council was in session
yesterday for two-hatlre.- 4t-4+ik +I-.4al-zZt
again to-day. This is quite unusual
CONFIDENCE IN LORD ROBETRS.
London, Feb. 15.--Intcnse satisfac-
tion continues dominant in consequence
OF Field Marshal Lord Roberts plan of
operations in South Africa. y feeling
oil quiet confidence prevails that the
strong hands Of .'l?obs Bahadur" and
the hero of I<hartoum are shaping
matters towards Il much-needcd deci-
sve victory. AS the st. James Gazette
says:
Lord Roberts, with his own line well
guarded and having little reason to
fear only IL defense which would be
deadly, viz, a commensurate attack
ing his long line rs 1t swings around
will he able TO force the Beers TO fight
under very unfavorable conditions, or
abandon their heavy guns and
stores"
a special dispatch to the Times from
Chiereiey. Natal, dated Tuesday, Feb
ruary 18th, says:
General Iyitleton has succeeded TO
The command of the second division
during the illness Of General Clery,
who is suffering from blood poisoning.
Colonel Northcott. or the Rifle Bri-
Eade. temporarily commands the
fourth division
FEARS SOMEWHAT ALLAYED.
me fears regarding a Boer attack
on Zululand are somewhat allayed by
Il special dispatch from Durham, which
says that column of colonial scouts
after forced march has arrived at
F,showe. in splendid fighting form
They were pursued several times dur
ing the march by the Beers, but sue
cceded in rcpulsing them.
RENsBURG EVACUATED.
London, Feb. 16.-The Cane Town
correspondent of the Daily Chronicle.
tciegraphing Wednesday, says:
1T is reported here that the British
have evacuated Rensburg and retired
TO Arundel.
SOURCE Or BoER SUPPLIES.
London, FEB. 16--The correspondent
of the Times at Lorenzo Marques. tel
eSraphing Wednesday, says
The republics are now obtaining
substantial supplies of sugar, coffee and
Hour through Il Delagoa Bay firm. and
further heavy consignments are ex-
pected within fortnight. 1t is be-
heved also that mun,tis;ns are still,
passing"
10 FLOOD L.>DYsMrrH.
London. Feb. ls.-Tha Daily Mail has
the following dispatch from Lorenzo
Marques, dated Wednesday,:
"A prominent Pretoria citi,ep iu.t