Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-26
tBy Telegraph to virsinlan- Pilot,

(By Telegraph to VirGinian- P:lot.)
London, April 90 Il. NIT is now
apparent that the chances of Lord
Roberts catching the retreating Beers
In a net are very slender. The Beers
have everywhere retired at the first
pressure OF the British advance, and
hope that General Rumble would be
able to induce them to remain at De-
wetsdorp until they had been forced to
fight or to surrender has been disap-
pointing.
No attempt was made to pursue the
commanders retiring from Wepener.
Everything now depends upon the pro-
gress OF General Frenchs cavalry bril-
gadcs, but they are entering very
difficult, Eilly and practically unknown
country.
The cavalry have already had II long
,march over heavy and sandy roads, and
nothing is known regarding the COLI
dition OF the horses. In any case 1t is
now race between the Federals and
the forces of General French ana Gen
eral Hamilton.
The slowncss of the recent move
ments of the British infantry and pre-
vious experience of the ability of the
Bocrs to move rapidly, with guns and
baggage. over their own country. lead
to IL belief that Lord Roberts cnvcloping
operations will fail, ana viii have to
be repeated further north. AT the most
he will perhaps capture some Boer
guns and baggage and hurry the re-
treating burghers.
Considerable results have been attain
ed in the relief of Wepencr and in the
clearing of the southeastern corner OF
the Free State of the Beers. but the
Boer army. whatever Its strength, has
still to be dealt with.
PREPARING FOR A FINAL STAND
London, April 26.-The Lourenzo Mar
quez correspondent of the Times, tele-
graphing Tuesday. says:
1T is asserted that the Beers are col
Letting enormous quantities of provi-
sions at depots in the Lydenburg dis
trict with view to Il final stand in
the mountains.
"The districts around Johannesburg
and Pretoria are being extensively en-
trenched. Regsbies foundry, at johann
nesburg, is turning out 700 shells a
day"
London. April 26-Besides the casual
ties among the men, the Boer lombard
ment of Colonel Dalgctys position
wrought great havoc among the cattle
and horses. The garrison could have
held out for another fortnight, but it is
in no condition to render much assist
ance in pursuing the Beers. There is
little news from other quarters.
London. April 25-4:57 p. m.-The War
Office has received the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts:
Bloemfontein, April 25.-Pole- Carews
division reaches Roodekoo yesterday
evening without casualties.
Its advance was covered by cavalry
and horse artillery which drove back
tne enemy with heavy loss. their dead
being left on the ground The mounted
troops halted for the night at Groot-
tontein and at 1880 this morning were
crossing the Modder river at Valebank.
IN accordance with my instructions to
French to endeavor to place himself
astride the enemy's line of retreat
French's arrival near the Modder evil
IDENTIFY, however, alarmed the Beers for
they evacuated their strong position
near Dewetsdorp during the night and
It was occupied by Chermsides division
this morning.
The mounted infantry. under Gen
eral Hamilton drove the enemy off the
kopjes in the neighborhood of the
water works without casualties on orr
side.
1.-THE Highland brigade marched "a
miles yesterday to support General
Hamilton and halted for the night AT
Kip Kraal, four miles short of Sannas
Post.
"Brabant and Hart are still few
miles short of Wepener. and the num-
bers of the enemy appear to have some
what increased during the last few
days. But it is not likely there will be
much trouble in the neighborhood of
Wepener once Dewetsdorp is ocupied
by our troops.
81 inspected the City Imperial volun-
teer Battalion yesterday on their ar
rival at Bloemfontein. They are in fine
form and look very workman-Iike.
II also inspected the first company of
Imperial Yeomanry. which has arrived
here. The men turn out smart. and
their horses are in admirable condi-
tion.'
London. April 25.-The War Office has
issued the following from Lord Roberts
dated Bloemfontein. April %, 1926 d. m. !:
THE enemy retired from in front of
Wepener last night, and this morning
fed northeastward along the Lady
brand road.
Their number was between 1000 and
London, April % G1:o5 p. m)-I is of
fcially announced that Wepener has
been relieved.
hi,