Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-17
tBy Telegraph 10 virginian- pllot.)

(By Telegraph TO Virginian- Pilot)
London. Feb. 17.-4:45 a. m.-General
Cronjc. with n start of IL day or two,
is seemingly In full retreat from Lord
Roberts. moving northward. General
French. with the cavalry simply stayed
over night in Kimberley and then
pushed on to get in touch with the re-
firing enemy. A long Boer wagon train
Is moving toward Blomfonetcin, fol-
lowed presumably by a large force OF
British infantry. In their hasty de-
parturc the Beers lost quantities OF
supplies and ammunition.
Military opinion mere is that Lord
Roberts will not push far after the
Beers immediately, because of trans
port problems and the need OF the rest
for the troops. He has to feed 40. 600
persons in his army and the whole
Kimberley population. He must re-
build the railway. from Modder river
town to Kimberley and revictual the
latter
FRENCH NEEDS RENIOUNTS.
General French lost few men only
III action. but the forced marches and
heat have probably made many I'll.
vided
Lord Roberts has wrought a gen
uine preliminary success, and the I'm
preston is that he has done enough
FOR the present. He will need to pre-
pare for another strike.
All over England tonight there have
been evidences of public joy. In every
theatre and public meeting, around the
railway stations and in the streets.
there have been expressions of glad
ness and jubilation over the news. The
newspapers are editorially rejoicing.
y DISTURBING FACTOR.
Those who read the news closely sec
only one disturbing factor in the Cape
situation, and that is the pressure of
the Beers toward Lord Roberts line of
supply through De Aar, which was
never more important than now The
Beers under Commandments Delarey and
Gobler are making a persistent effort
to penetrate to the railway. They have
pushed General Clements back to Arun-
del, and have outfanked him. All are
within sixty mics, OF two ffffs.trttff
march, of the central railway. Doubt
less Lord Roberts has left considera BILE
forces along the line and can send
back more IL necessary.
London, Feb. 17.-In the House Of
Commons last evening it was rumored
that General Butler had again crossed
the Tugela.
LORD ROBERTS CABLEGRANIS.
London. Feb. 16.-1:i5 D. m.-While
there is tremendous satisfaction and
publication here at Field Marshal Lord
Roberts and General French's success,
those best suited to judge the situation
are inclined to the opinion that, pend
ing more definite information, the news
had better be regarded as assuring.
rather than as accomplishing the relief
OF the beleaEuered city of Kimberley.
A. careful study of the ambiguity of
BN tt.cr 1f T IDrI.a ,t.f Il A1I
leads to the belief that the actual relief
OF the place is still matter Of time.
Kimberley, it is pointed out. can
scarcely be termed relieved until it is
feasible to take provisions there. The
rapidity of General F'renchs march in
dictates that he was unable to do this.
and whether he left his lines behind
him openly is only a matter Of sur
mise. 1t is considered most probable
that Lord Roberts and General French's
brilliant tactical success, for such it Is
under any circumstances, resembles the
iirst relief Of Lucknow, when the dis
posal Of the enemy's forces was by no
means Immediately effected.
ANOTHER FEATURE.
another remarkable feature of Lord
Roberts laconic cablegram Is the fact
that it IS dated at Jacobsdal, which
was General Cronje's advance base of
supplies, yet there Is no word explain
ing the British commanders presence
there. nor word of any opposition,
which he or General French encoun-
tered. Had Lord Roberts inflicted a
decisive defeat on the Beers, it is be-
lieved he would have mentioned IT. as
such success would be greatly para
mount 10 the relief of Kimberley. or
The throwing into that place OF gar
rison which could assure it holding
out. However. General French's entry
into Kimberley has been effected. and
doubtless brings joy to the hearts OF
nose, who have been shut up in the
FORCE AT KIMBERLEY.
ihcir defenders number abou. 1000,
While General Frnnch,s force is est