Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-02-22

leaving all positions held by them on
British territory and are concentrating
for the defense of their own. Sir
padvers Butler thinks they are about
70 raise the siege of Ladysmith and
tb;s is a large news of days. Gen
Clements reports tic force confronting
him has been greatly diminished Ten
thousand men are estimated to have
gone from the Colesburg district alone
The beers are also retracing their
steps from Zululand thus they are
relaxing hold on all sides in order to
assemble to oppose Lord Roberts. He
is pressing on steadily towards Bloem-
fontein. This is shown by his incon-
seouential telegram from Paardeberg
so or 60 miles away. Doubtless ne Is
miles behind the column that is pursu-
ing the beers and the next important
news may be the occupation of Bloem-
fontein, Nothing has been heard from
rho chase of Crouje for two days. Al
though the last words of the war office
last night were that there was no
news for publication, there is strong
dtsnosition to believe favorable lntor-
is being withheld until oper-
ations eliminate III something
more conclusive. There is an equally
strong disposition to think Gen
/. Cronie has got away. Owing TO the
Jack OF transport, the British are not
likely to invade boer territory except
where Lord Roberts is operating. Bul-
Ter will have to stop at the Drakens-
berg mountains. Probably part OF MS
10000 men will ultimately join the le-
gions of Lord Roberts. If, as zen.
Butler AYERS, the beers are retreatlhg
from him. then the news on every SIDE
is favorable to the British Neverthe-
less troops continue to go out me
war office thinks call to veterans TO
reioin the colors, together with the
bounty, will bring $4,000 men to the
home defense The urgency with
which the home defense is pressed eX-
cites some wonder. With the casual
ties Just reported the British losses in
killed, wounded and captured now ag-
gregAte HOP.
Decisive Events in Progress
London, Feb. 21.-Spencer WlIkln-
son. reviewing the military situation
in the Morning Post says. The mean@
ing of the position in Natal is that the
beers have sent back their forces to re-
sist Lord Roberts Gen. Buffers aim IS
to join Sir George White, then either
push on to Laing's Mex or send back
two divisions to reinforce Lord ROD
erts, retaining two in Natal 10 CONF lete
the recovery of the northern triangle.
1t is to be hoped Lord Roberts will
overcome Gen. Cronje before the lat
ter is reinforced Otherwise the Brit
iSh commander may find himself facing
boer army equal in strength to his
own. as all beers appear to be hurlying
ought soon to be able to free both Ma
tai and Cape Colony from the enemy.
The actions now in progress are deci-
sive battles of war and every effort
must be made to reinforce Lord Rob-
erts
Beers Make Gallant Retreat.
London, Feb 2l.--A correspondent
Of inc Daily Chronicle, telegraphing
sunday thus describes General Cron-
je's retreat with Che beers at Mayors
fontein. on learning Of Gen. French's
success Thursday, at midnight,
aeaded by Gen Cronje 5000 beers,
With their heavy guns and OK wagons,
evacuated the Magersfontein lines.
At dawn on Friday the retTeating boer
army was seen from the British naval
gun station on Kip Drift kopje trek
king eastward across the British front
at distance of 5000 yards Our guns
opened up on them and a force of
mounted infantry crossing the river,
made a dashing charge in an attempt
70 cut off the head Of the enemys
column But in half an hour their
whole force had gained shelter under
line Of kopjes. Meanwhile two Of
our batteries had come up, and the OK
fords. Bluffs West Rulings and Glou-
cesters. Our infantry crossed the drift
and for three hours engaged with the
). enpmy while our batteries shelled his
position The mounted infantry kept
hard at work Unable to withstand
our CALLING fire. the enemy retired, dis
putting every inch Of the way. and
took I'D a second position on the
kopies 70 the eastward. It was mag
niscent spectacle to see the boer army