Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-07-13
LITTLE HOPE.
A BRITISH REVERSE.
The Beers Captured an Important Fortified
Position Near Pretoria.

The Beers Captured an Important Fortified
Position Near Pretoria.
London, July 13.-Lord Roberts re-
ports to the war Office under date of
Pretoria. July 12, as follows:
"The enemy, having failed their at
tack upon our right rear. as mentioned
in my telegram of July 9, made deter
mined attack upon our right flank yes
terday and, I regret to say, succeeded
in capturing Nitraps Mex, which was
garrisoned by a squadron of the Scots
Grays, with two guns Of the battery of
royal artillery and five companies of the
Lincolnshire regiment. The enemy at
tackled in superior numbers at dawn,
and, seizing the hills commanding the
mex, brought heavy gun fire to bear
upon the small garrison.
"Nitrars Mex is about eighteen miles
from here, near where the road crosses
the Crocodile river. 1t was held by us
in order to maintain road and tele-
graphic communication with Rusten-
burg.
A BIG FIGHT.
1.-The fighting lasted. more or less,
throughout the day, and Immediately
on receiving information this morning
of the enemys strength I dispatched
re-enforcements from here under Col.
Godfrey, of the Kings Own Scottish
Borderers Before they reached the
spot, however, the garrison had been
overpowered, the guns and the greater
portion of the squadron Of Grays being
captured, owing to their horses being
shot: also, about ninety men Of the Lin
colnshire regiment. The list of casual
ties has not been received, but I fear
they are heavy.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ATTACK.
simultaneously an attack was made
on our outposts near Durdepoort. north
of town, in which the 7th dragons were
engaged. The regiment was handled
with considerable skill by Lieutenant
check until they retired on their sup
ports, and would probably have suffered
but slight loss had not our troops mis-
taken some Beers in the bushes for our
own men.
Smith -Dorrien had small engage
ment with the enemy yesterday near
Krugersdorp and inflicted heavy loss on
them.
"Buller reports that the Beers who
were destroying his line Of railway near
Paarde Kraal were driven off yester-
day after short action.
Hart reports from Heidelberg that
the surrendering of Boer arms and am
munition continues in that district"
LORD ROBERTS ILL.
News has reached London that Lord
Roberts Is suffering from serious bowel
complaint, and that Lady Roberts has
been hurriedly summoned FROM Bloem-
fOntein.
DISMAY AT LONDON.
London, July 13-Lord Roberts dis
patch reporting still another unfortu-
nate occurrence throws serious light
upon the state of affairs in South Afri-
ca. There has been some comment re-
Gently regarding the virtual absence of
any progress by the immense army un-
der the command Of Lord Roberts, but
few could have been found to believe
| that the scattered Beers would be able
to inflict such defeat so near Pretoria.
Instead of the surrender of all the re-
naming Beers being imminent, as re-
cent kilograms had hinted, 1t seems
they have been making concerted at
tempt to surround or recapture Preto-
ria with so much success that in a re-
gion which Is supposed to be pacified
and in which no attack was expected
they have succeeded IN inflicting seri-
GUS defeat and capturing two guns and
some 200 men. 1t is evident that General
Botha has considerable force, seeing
that he is able to press Lord Roberts
lines at half dozen points around Pre-.
torla, from the springs to the southeast
of the city, northward to Middlebure
and bridgeport, and thence southwark
to Nitrars Mex and Krugersdorp.
Lord Roberts omits giving the name
of the commander concerned, which
gives rise to the belief that worse re-
mains to be told. Even II the mlshaI
be not more grave than his information
at present implies, 1t proves that tn
situation Is still serious, and that ther'
Is no possibility of any troops beint
spared from South Africa for China
but, on the contrary, 1t will take lonl
time to clear the country of the Beers
| LONDON CHAGRINED.
London, July 13.-There was feelini
of deep chagrin when the news sprea'
that Lord Roberts had reported a con
siderable Boer success eighteen mile
from Pretoria, with the capture Of
squadron Of Scots Grays and part 0
Ave companies Of the Lincolnshire reg
iment and two guns, furnishing proc
that General Botha had not given VI
the fight, and that the end Of the war l
long way off.
II you want good meals 60 to tn
Bon-Ton.
si3iaa 45f.h