Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-02-17
But the Public Is Disposed to
/. Await Full News Before
sa..s :. Celebrating.
Whereabouts of Cronje and, His
l.. :. Force Puzzles the War
Experts.

had better be regarded as assuring,
rather than as accomplishing the relief
Of the beleaguered city of Kimberley.
A careful study of the ambiguity of the
wording Of Lord Roberts dispatch leads
to the belief that the actual relief Of the
place is still a matter of time. Kim
berley, it is pointed out, can scarcely be
termed relieved till it is feasible to take
provisions there. .s.z.
The rapidity of General French's
march indicates that he was unable to.
do this, and whether he left his lines
behind him open, is only matter of
surmise. 1t is considered most probable
that Lord Roberts and General French's
brilliant tactical success, for such it is,
under any circumstances, resembles the
first relief of Lucknow, when the dis
persal of the enemy's forces was by no
means Immediately affected. ~
Another Remarkable Feature.
Another remarkable feature of Lord
Roberts laconic cablegram, is the fact
that it is dated at Jacobsdal, which was
General Cronjes advanced base of sup
plies; yet, there is no word explaining
the British commanders presence there,
no word of any opposition he or General
French encountered. Had Lord Rob-
erts inflicted a decisive defeat ON the
Beers, it is expected he would have
mentioned it, as such success would be
greatly paramount to the relief of Kim
berley or the throwing into the place OF
a garrison which could assure it holding
out. However, General French's entry
into Kimberley will be effective and
doubtless brings joy to the hearts Of
those who have been shut up in the city
for 1872 days. Their defenders number
about 1000, while General French's s
force is estimated at between 5000 and
5000 men. Il -..-.-.. ....-
The sixth and seventh divisions have
already probably crossed the river and
are with Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.
What has happened, to General Cronje
and the whereabouts Of his forces puz-
zles the experts. T..
~ Beers Left Magersfontein.
A dispatch from Cape Town dated
Wednesday, Feb. ID, says: "The Beers
are leaving Magersfontein to reinforce
other positions. 1t is estimated that
between 1000 and 10000 men remain
there. - 8
Lord Roberts wide turning move
ment, via Jacobsdal, may have cut off
these troops from Bloemfontein, but
while the British forces are endeavor-
ing to intercept the Boer communica-
tions, there is a parallel Boer column
trying to cut off the British lines to De
Aar, and it is apparently meeting with
some success, !. though later dispatches
referring to- General Clement s retire
ment to Arundel say the movement was
undertaken for strategic purposes and
that during the course Of the march the
Beers were driven off by+a heavy fire,
1.-the Innisk killings charging brilliantly
and inflicting great loss onthe burghers.
"a Boery dispatch from Lourenzol Mar
ones dated thursday Feb. Ii, says the
initiaI attack on Colesberg, Feb. IL, re-
suited in IA fed deral ]. loss sof II Il men
killed, ia wounded and prisoners. The
British, it is added, were driven out Of
their camp, and one Of their Maxims was
captured. s..il- s s5 :s$s5 s.s= !.
The news Of General French's entry
into Kimberley was received on the
stock exchange here today with rousing
cheers. No boom in stocks was created,
but q satisfactory strong undertone pre-.
vailed. De Beers rose 7-8, but subse.
qqently fell ID on Paris rumor that
General French had merely fallen into
| a Boer trap. .sss; sf5,
gs; I.adysmith Holds Out.
The dispatch referring to the condi.
tion Of Ladysmith is regarded as reas.
surfing. There is no further word from
General Butler, and nothing startling is
expected to occur in Natal in the i'm.
mediate future. s ..5 ,s.,
According to q dispatch from Chieve-
ley, dated Wednesday, Feb. IA, it has
been ascertained that the British artil.
lery during last weeks fighting rem.
dered two large Boer guns and one Nor;
denfeld Ineffective.
| "A Sterkstroom dispatch of Wednes.
day, Feb. IA, says that Colonel Eagar.
who was wounded and carturea at