The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-23
LONG WAIT IS OVER.
Roberts'WhoIe Army is Again Moving
Forward.

London, May 23-2:06 P M.-Once
more Lord Roberts is advancing in
force. The wait at KroOnstad is over
and already the main British army is
about 20 miles north of its former rest
ing place. Judging from the dispatches
Of Lord Roberts at Honingspruit sta
ton while 1anking him on either side OF
the railroad, Gen. French's cavalry and
Gen. Ian Hamilton's mounted infantry
are both slightly in advance of Lord
Roberts and threatening to envelop
the Boer position, which extends for 20
miles due north.
Gen. French probably crossed the
RhenOster river near the junction WITH
Honingspruit which runs thence to
Honingspruit station. The main Brit
ish army will probably advance along
the railroad while Gen French con-
Verges from the west and Gen. HaInl1-
ton from the east. Against this over
whelming force the Beers win probably
follow their usual tactics Of retiring to
positions, which doubtless have been
prepared in advance for their Occupa-
ton.
Gen. French and Gen. Hamilton are
separated from each other by about 40
| miles, while Lord Roberts is within L
miles of Gen. French and 80 miles OF
| Gen. Hamilton.
Since the last dispatch left Honing-
| spruit Lord Roberts has doubtless still
| further advanced and by now is either
| engaging, or following the retreating
| Beers. Definite dispatches received this
morning make it clear that the Naal
river has not yet been crossed as nearly
40 miles intervene between it and Lord
/ Roberts advance f1ankerS-
The small number of casualties sus-
tained by Gen. Hamilton in his occupa-
! tiOn of HeilbrOn bears out the theory
/ that the Beers will make no strenuous
resistance until the Vaa1 is reached or
| until even later. Dispatches to the As
! sociated Press from HeilbrOn say that
| the Boer general. De Wet, had 400 men
| posted on an adjacent hill, but that he
retired when Gen. Hamilton approach
ed.
President steyn fed from Heilbron.
May 20, and his destination is not
| known
The first word received from Col. Ba-
| den Powell at Mafeking heightens
| rather than diminisheS the reports
| heretofore cabled of the gallantry ex-
hibited by the garrison during the clos
ing days of the siege. In an interview
with the correspondent of the Reuters
Telegram company May II, Col Baden
Powell said:
MY great endeavor is to prevent the
relief force from trying to rush into
the place before they are strong enough
to do So It would be better to mak5
certain of relief in two months than tC
be beaten in an attempted relief in one
the old days in Zululand that the ma
tiVes called me 'Umhala. Panza' the mar
who does not rush things. The knowl-
edge that the whole empire is watching
with appreciation the good fight of The
garrison has been worth an extra pounC
Of rations day to the garrison. 4
was difficult TO persuade the civilians q
the necessity of submitting to MARTA
law. We had our little difficulties, bu
later there was a loyal acceptance O
the military administration and ther'
was no trouble at all. The devotion o
the nurses and women generally wa
most remarkable"
Referring to the requests of newspa
pers for messages, Baden-Powen looked
embarrassed and said:
The newspapers have got an exag
e gerated idea of the Importance of IL.
y personality. look upon myself as til
fgurehead of the good ship Mafel1ine
1t has been her stout canvas and Shap
4 and her brave hull that really shovei
the ship along and brought her safel.
through the stormy cruise. So wheneve
| read nice things people say of me,
take it that they are said inasmuch a
r am the head representative of the gar
/ TiSOn''