The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-14
ROBERTS At OSFNTHN NATIVES WITHOUT FOOD
BoERs CONCENTRATING TO oP-
POSE HIM.
Natal Free of Beers, and so is Half the
Orange Free State-Relief for Mafe-
king.

LONDON, March 7-4:1O A. M Lord
Roberts still pauses in the neighbor-
hood of Osfontein, while stores, re-
mounts and fresh troops stream toward
him from the Cape. The British posi-
ton also continues to improve in the
minor spheres of the campaign. Natal
is clear of Beers and Cape Colony is
nearly so.
The Beers seemingly are purusing the
course commended by the strategists
and are concentrating to resist the
British main army. Various messages
from correspondents with Lord Roberts
report that the enemy are increasing
continually on his front extending as
one correspondent wires, eight miles
and, as another says, eighteen miles.
The lowest estimate of their numbers
gives the Beers from 5000 to 900 men,
with smaller bodies moving north and
south of the British lines.
Each army is on both sides of the
Modder river. Although the Beers have
mounted eight guns on top of kopjes
and appear to be too far away for in
spection, the British scouts report that
they are diligently using pick and show
ell. Military opinion is that their present
position already merely screens more
easily defended ones in the region.
None of the military experts endeav-
or to fathom Lord Roberts plans, but
it is suggested that he is quite willing
to give the Beers time to assemble all
their men in order to deliver a smash
ing blow more effectively.
BOER TACTICS.
NEW YORK, March "a Tribune
cable from London, March Z, says:
The extent to which Joubert and Steyn
have succeeded in massing their forces
is not yet clear, but they are covering
Bloemfontein by a long defensive line
on the hills south of Modder river.
Their tactics are the same as those
which were employed on the Tuge1a,
when the Dutch commandos covered a
distance of eighteen miles; but the
country is less favorable for their sys-
TEN of defense. There is no river in
front of them, and Roberts has four
mounted brigades, with horse artillery
with which their line can beturned. The
Seventh Division, under Tucker, has
not yet been in action, and will prob
ably have the brunt of the fighting
if battle precedes the occupation of
Blomfontein; but it is probable that a
frontal attack will be avoided, and that
French's brigades will make long cir
cult northward so as to cut off the re-
treat toward the Vet river.
The Dutch forces, if defeated, will fall
back upon Winburg, and the high hills
between Ventersburg and Senekal, be-
tween the Vet and Valsch rivers. This
is described by South Africans as the
most formidable defensive position in
the Free State, and lateral railways
lead up behind it at Bethlehem and
Kronstadt.
SOUTH OF ORANGE RIVER.
The Vaal river is a long distance be-
hind these commanding kopjes, anc
N5,.g 4 -
nesburg is the key, hes to the north
Roberts has sent a strong body of in
fantry toward Vryburg and Mafeking
and it will naturally be re-enforcen and
converted in due time into a turning
column against that strong position.
The results of Dutch concentration
are disclosed in the facility with which
the district south of Orange river has
been cleared. Gatacre is not strong
since an entire brigade was called bacl
to re-enforce Roberts corps, yet he ha'
been able to take possession of Storm
berg without a struggle. The Beers haC
retreated from that natural fortress e
Burghersdorp. The occupation o
Stormberg gives Gatacre control of tn,
railway westward to Middleburg anC
enables him to advance northward 70
ward the Orange river. Brabant ha!
followed up his victory over the Cap
vigorous pursuit northward Clement
is advancing towards Norvals Pont
where the enemy is still in force. Bulle
| has reported that the Beers are not II
force anywhere in Upper Natal.
ROBERTS POSITION.
London, March Ga dispatch to tn
| Daily Telegraph from Osfontein, date
| Sunday, says:
THE Beers front covers eighteei
miles to the south of Modder river"
A dispatch to the Standard from Os
| fontein, dated Sunday, March 4, says
Lord Roberts army now occupies
most advantageous position. The SiXtl
| division, under General Kelly Kenny
is posted on the right and holds al
the kopjes for a distance Of about fiv
miles south of the Modder. The Sew
enth division, under General Tucker, I
| in the center, Immediately south of tn
| river, and General Colville, with tn
Ninth division, is on the north bank
| The cavalry brigade, under Genera
French, is posted on the left front, an
! the mounted infantry, under Colone
Ridley on the right front.
"The country around consists of wide
grassy plains, broken only by ridge
and isolated kopjes.'
RELIEF OF MAFEKING.
LONDON, March G, 3 a. m.-Mafekin
is to be relieved as soon as the force
already on the way to Kimberly ca
raise the seige. This force is describe
| vaguely as strong" The Kimberl
Light Horse is mentioned as a com
ponent. Lord Roberts visit to Kimbei
ly probably had to do with Cecil Rhode
permission to use this company c
| troops
LONDON. March IA dispatch froi
| lnnf..R,f.. 4 .
the Standard, says
General Joubert is reported to be 1
supreme command of the Boer force
here"