The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-09
IN SOUTH IFRICj.

The desp,tch from Lord Roberts of yester-
days date in continuation OF his report Of
the Boer retreat descr,has them az having been
quite ,uk.n Inv surpriss and leaving their
cooked dinners behind. Ia addition they left
some tents and wagons. and IN the first con-
fusion OF the retreat the British captured a
Krupp field gun which had been abandoned.
In this brief Jesc,ip,iop IL shown the neglect
OF the Boer commander. Gen. Dewet. 10 keep
himself properly informed OF the British
movements by reconnoitring patrols. and ig.
noring the possibility OF attacks on his fianks.
especially on the left, oppositc which he should
have known that the British mounted force
was postel. in itself a reason for extra precau-
tons on that side. The despatch in which this
account IA given is dated Poplar Grove. beyond
which two cavalry brlgades. horse artillery
and a division Of infantry were advanced ten
miles during the day toward Abraham's
Kraal. No mention Ia made Of the whereabouts
OF the Beers beyond IA few words in a previous
despatch saying that those north OF tho
Modier River were abandoning their positions.
This part Of the Boer army will. in all proha-
bility, fall buck to Brandtort on the railway
about midway between Bloemfontein and
Wynburg. and II il not unlikely that those
south OF the Moddsr will make for the same
point, There has been no reference yet in tel
egrnms from Pretoria to this last misfortune
~ the Beers, but In those relating what has
occurred a. other points OF the war. no ATTEMPT
IL made 10 minimize the extent of their re-
verses: the first account, the refore. from there
will be OF particular interest as II should con-
yey some indication OF the general situation In
the lower half OF the Orange Free State.
In his despatch Lord Roberts also reports
that Norvals Font had been occupied by Gen.
Glenn ents. the bridge across the Orange River
having been destroyed on TUESDAY. The Boer
positions on the north bank Of the river were
being occupied. but il was not believed by any
considerable force. which Is probably correct,
Recent events on the Modler should hasten
the evacuation Of all the points on the Orange
River held by the Free Staters and their
Colonial allies, in order TO get past
Blosmfontein before il Is occupied by
the British. and the narrow strip OF
country between there and the Basutolani
border Is closed TO them. Gen Gatacre has. ms
Was 10 be exp.cteI. occupied Butghersdofp
without opposition. and now controls the road
leading TO Aliwal North where he would be In
a position 10 cut of the retreat OF the force
that has been opposing Gen. Brabant, unless It
can make its way across the Orange River
higher up and gain the roads gong north be-
fore they are Intercepted from Bloemfontein.
News from Mnfcking seems to indicate that
the power OF resistance OF the garrison Of the
last remaining OF the three beleaguered towns
il approaching ihs term. Whether it can be re-
lleved before matters have reached the last ex-
tremity begins to look doubtful. A force il re-
ported 10 have left Kimberley for the Vaal
River going north, but as the direct distance
from there TO Mafeking is 223 miles It IL not
likely to be intended to attempt the relief Of