New-York tribune., 1900-04-22
HtNMlNG II THE bOEko
OPERATIONS IN THE ORANGE
FREE STATE.
STRONG BRITISH COLUMNS CIRCLING
AROUND THE BESIEGERS OF WEPE-
NER-BULLER'S MEN SHELLED.
Copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.I
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
LBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London. April ID / a. m.-Light has been
thrown upon the mysterious operations in the
southeastern section Of the Free State. The
Beers have less intent upon raiding the main
British line Of communications than upon hold
Ing possession Of the granaries between Wepener
and Ficlsburg and drawing off General Rob-
erts's forces from direct advance northward
they have from Wepener TO Harrismith base
well stocked with food supplies and well suited
Tor guerilla warfare. Reports Of the strength of
their forces in these mountainous districts are
exaggerated. but with the advantage Of a hilly
country and roads impossible for British artfl-
iery few cammandoes can DO much to harass
the flank Of General Roterts's army
BRITISH STRENGTH TELLS HEAVILY.
Il now seems probable that General Roberts
has adapted himself 10 these tactics and with
ont abandoning his direct line of advance may
sweep the eastern border as he goes and carry
OF wide turning movement Otherwise the
relief Of wepener would have been left tp Bra
bant and Hart who are advancing northward
through RouxviIe. TWO strong divisions are
approaching Wepener through Dewetsdorp,
and il is conjectured that there may be another
one heading directly toward Ladybrand The
British preparations are made on so large a
Scale that the relief OF the small colonial force at
Wepener is likely 70 prove an incident rather
than the main motive. When the garrison has
been rescued Ladybrand may be occupied and
Flcksburg approached large British force
VIII be in the right quarter for turning the
Fentersburg-Se -Senezal line Of hills and for clear
Ing the eastern frontier.
Press dispatches indicate that General Rumble
and General Chermside. with their division were
within few miles Of Dewetsdorp Friday and
had brush with the enemy. There was rifle
firing and shelling for several hours and finally
The mounted infantry turned the Beers in
trenched position and compelled them to fall
hack two miles. The fighting is not described
ss serious. and the British are clearly superior
IN artillery and strength. Rundle's advance
vas renewed yesterday. and fighting was In
Progress when General Roberts sent his bulletin.
Such meagre details as have come through
point 70 rear guard action rather than seri-
Gus engagement
GENERAL Aethuen's force at Boshof is com
PEELED TO remain active, since his communica-
lions with Kimberley are menaced by small
bands Of sharpshooters. There was sharp
fkirmish Friday in which British convoy
was saved with difficulty from assault by
considerable Boer force The convoy is de-
serbed as retiring from Swartzkopjesfontein
WIN covering force Of the Kimberley Mount
81 Corps and the Yorkshire Hussars, and the
Enemy was beaten back after hard fighting. The
'0'ering force was concealed and the Beers
we're themselves taken by surprise when they
STACKED the con-oy with three guns.
BOERS AGGRESSIVE IN NATAL.
There was renewal Of Boer activity yester-
Hey at Elandslaagte, where the British positions
Continued fourth page.