The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-03


March opened with rejoicing throughout
the British Empire, and especially in Lon
don, over the relief of Ladysrnith, for now
1t seemed evident that the war was draw
ing to a close. For such hope there
seemed good reason, since the Beers were
everywhere retreating, Ladysmith being
free of them, Gen. Brabant having dis
lodged them from Dordretch and a little
later put them to rout, and Gen. Gatacre
having entered Stormberg without oppo-
sition. Meanwhile Lord Roberts was pur-
suing the Beers toward Bloemfontein. On
March Z, at Osfontein, he turned their
flank on the Modder river and put Gems.
DeWet and Delarey to rout. Every day
the British approached nearer to the Free
State capital, their way being stubbornly
opposed by the Beers. The latter again
resorted to their former tactics of firing
on the British under cover of white flag
and using explosive bullets. On March
u, Gen. French, she Kimberley hero, again
distinguished himself by his capture of
hills commanding Bloemfontein. The next
day Lord Roberts and the British troops
occupied the Orange Free State capital,
which was formally surrendered to him.
On the 18th a letter from Presidents
Kruger and Steyn relating to possible
terms of peace. and Lord Salisbury's re-
ply, rejecting the proposition for the in
dependence OF the two republics, were read
in the House of Commons. The offer of
the United States to assist in bringing
about peace was also declined by the Brit
ish government. ,'T @dT sri ssaycH -
Lord Roberts Enters BIoemfontein.
The entry of Lord Roberts into Bloom
fontein, followed as it was by the occu-
patton of Boshof, produced a speedy result
of the highest Importance. On the 18th
large numbers of Free State burghers sur
rendered, opened their shops and went
back to their farms, accepting British
rule. Meanwhile the efforts 10 relieve
Baden-Powell at Mafeking were redoubled.
column which included the Kimberley
Light Horse had started from the South.
and Col. Plumer advanced from the north
as far as Lobatsi, where he was repulsed
on the 18th, and again, nearer Mafeking,
on the 31st. Having received the submis-
sion of the Free Staters and established
stable condition of affairs,d Lord Roberts
prepared TO move on toward Pretoria.
March closed with the death of Gen.
Joubert on the 9th, and the capture on
the 31st at Korn Spruit of 400 men, includ-
ing the Tenth Hlssars and seven pieces
Of artillery. M
April opened with a disaster-that of
Reddersburg where on the 4th 500 men,
including three companies of Irish Rifles
and two of the Ninth Mounted Infantry.
were captured by the Beers. The next day,
at Boshof the British captured a small
company of Beers, and Coll de, Villebois-
Mareuil, the French military expert, VINO
had been Gen. Joubert's chief of staff.
On April the British garrison at
Wepener was isolated, and the siege
against Col. Dalgetty and his men be-
gan. On the next day they also attacked
Gen. Butler at Elandslaagte, in Natal.
on the 18th Gen. Gatacres recall to Eng-
land was announced, and a week later the
British war Office made. public a report
from Lord Roberts. in which he severely
criticised Gems. Warren and Butler and
Mai Thornycroft in connection with the
battles OF Spion Kop.
A little later Gen. Warren was appoint
ed military governor of Griqualand West.
on April % Lord Roberts dispatched Gen.
Pole Carew 10 the assistance OF Gen.
Rumble who was hard pressed by the
Beers at Wepener. But Gems. Hart and
Brabant, who had arrived before him.
found the Investment abandoned ard he
Beers In full flight. Attempts TO head
them off as they retired were rnavaiing, \
The Advance From Bioemfontsin.
On April 80 the long expected advance
of Lord Roberts force from Bloemfonteiu
began. Brandfort was occupied on May
3. and two days later the Vet river was
reached. when after sharp battle. Gen.
Hutton's mounted infantry turned the
Beers right flank The Boer army fell
back, and Lord Roberts captured a guam