Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-24
BIG FIGHT EXPECTED
Heavy Reinforcements Sent to Gen.
Rumble at Wepener.
BOER CLAIM OF VICTORIES
Generals Cronje and Dewet Both
Report Successes.
CANADIANS L Err FIR f

LONDON. April o4-AlI attention is
tered on the Interesting. though complicat-
ed situation in the southeastern portion of
the Orange Free State. from which de-
veIoPments of the utmost Importance must
ensue in the near future Gen. Rumble, it
would seem. has found the Beers confront
ing him at DewetsdorD in stronger force
than he cares to engage, and So he is mark
irg time pending the arrival of supports.
While General RUnd.e is preparing to strike
DewetsGorp Generals Brdhant and Hart
pushing along the frontier Of Basuto-
land where they viii be able 20 frustrate
any attacl. on General RundIes right. and
Generals French and Pole-Carew are has
teniHg from BlCemfnntcin to bar the Boer
line Of retreat nortfwar1.
In the meanwhile the bursher forces Oc-
c-Pying Thahanchu are in a position to
fight d delaying action. giving the Boer
forces at DewetsJ!orp and Wepener time to
retire in case of defeat. and it seems as
though General French must dispose Of this
Thabanchu force before he can reach the
rear Of the Boer forces opposing Generals
Rumble and Brablnt. otherwise his flank
will be open to assault.
Bocrs viii Rally ut Thnbanchu.
The Beers driven out Of Leeuw K0p Will
probably rally at Th1hanchu. where stiff
Fight my be expected. Should the British
fail in this attempt TO bring about another
Paardeberg. it must immensely affect the
larger issues of the war. as il will un-
doubtediy lead to persistent repetition of
the guerrilla tactics which have been large
Iy responsible for the penning up of Lord
Roberts at Bioemfontein for so many
weeks.
During the course of General Alderson's
d., I la slisR
found themselves in a tight corner Sunday
near Donkerpoort. The Canadian mounted
infantry sent 10 reconnoiter the Boer posi-
tion approached within 3oo yards of farm
flying the hospital flag. under cover of
which the Beers opened such hot fire on
the Canadians that they Were unable to at
tempt TO retire until another force of Can
adams covered their retreat by threatening
the rear of the Boer position.
Roberts Reports Losses.
The war office issued the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts, dated BlOemfon-
tein. Monday. April %:
Yesterday dispatched the 11th Division.
under General Pole-Carew, and two bri-
gades Of cavalry under General French
from this point TO assist General Rumble.
The force reached Karriefontein without
much opposition.
Casualties reported: Welsh regiment
Private killed: Captain Prothero morta!ly
wounded and seven men. Yorkshire
Eight wounded. Eighth Hussar-One
killed. one wounded. Fourteenth Hussars-
One wounded. Royal Artillery - Two
wounded. Seventh Dragoons-Lieutenant
Jenkins and ten men missing,
Captain Rotton. Royal Artillery, broke
arm by a fall.
General Pole-Carew's mounted infantry
seized Leeuw Kop, high hill few miles
north of their last nights position. The
enemy evacuated hurriedly, leaving some
rifles and ammunition
General Rumble reports that twenty-five
men Of the LIST Worcesters are missing.
Fifty-three were sent with Wood to an
outpost after dark and only eighteen re-
turned