Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-16
His Recent Successes Are Very Graft
flying to Britain,
NEXT MOVE WILL Be ON PRETORIA
Promises to Lead the Army Into
the TransvaaI Capital.
CASUALTIES AT DREIFONTEIN

LONDON, March 16-Lord Roberts sue
cess in handling the civil problsms at
Bloemfontein and the manifest equanimity
with which the residents of the capital of
the Orange Free State accept the British
occupation momentarily eclipse in interest
the military situation 1t Is believed here
that the commander-in-c chief of the British
forces in South Africa will soon push on to
Pretoria, but Great Britain is quite content
to listen for few days to the accalama-
tions Of ths people of Bloemfontein and
permit the troops to enjoy few days rest
before expecting further success. Lord
Roberts made quaint speech to the guards
at Bloemfontein today, whsn, In his first
congratulatory words. he expressed pride
In their splendid march of thirty-eight miles
In twenty-eight hours, and gave ampls as
surance of his ultimate design. Through
a small mistake" said Lord Roberts II
have not been able to march into Boemfon-
tein at the head Of the brigade, as l intend
ed / promise you. however, that l will
lead you into Pretoria
Gatacre Holds Bethulie
General Gatacre is holding Bethulie and
the whole line of the railroad south of
Bloemfontein is now In the hands of the
British, and, General Brabant's column
having crossed the Orange river after a
3,
and General Clements column being across
at Vanzyl, the three columns will form an
army of 12,0OO to 5000 men, which Is ex-
pected to replace the forces of Lord Rob-
erts at Bloenfontein as he pushes north
ward.
Just where the Beers will attempt to op-
pose that march is an important question,
but 1t cannot be easily answered until Gen.
Joubert is more definitely located. Further
news has reached the outside world from
Mafeking, dated Friday. March 0, showing
that. though the garrison in hard
straits, they were buOyed up by the knowl-
edge that their plucky fight was appre-
ciated at home.
Casualties at Driefontein.
1t was officially announced today that the
British casualties at Driefontein. March 10,
were 81 men killed and 321 wounded, in
cluding Il Canadians, wounded.
Gen. Roberts reports that he found seven
British officers and forty-three men wound
ed in the hospital at Bloemfontefn, and
that they had been well cared for. He
adds:
Il rejoiced the wounded Beers by telling
them they will be allowed to proceed TO
their homes. instead of being made pris-
onerS, as soon as they can leave the hos
pital."
Situation the Orange River.
JAMESTOWN, Cape Colony, Thursday,
March 15.-There was much enthusiasm at
Aliwal North when Gen. Brabant's troops
occupied that place. Commandant Olivier,
the Boer commander. apologized for the ac-
tion OF the Beers during the last days of
the occupation, saying he could not control
his men.
The British are now entrenched on the
Free State side of the Orange river with
the Beers holding an advantageous hill in
front Of them. Gen. Brabant is greatly
hampered owing to the lack of artillery
having only two fifteen-pounders.
The British frst-class cruiser Powerful
with the naval brigade which has been
operating against the Beers in South Af-
rlca, sailed for England today.
Cecil Rhodes Suggestion.
CAPE TOWN, Thursday, March 15-In
an interview published in the Cape Argus
Mr.. Cecil Rhodes is quoted as saying:
Il feel strongly that We cannot have
peace in South Africa SO long as we have
in the republics a rallying ground for dis
loyalty and dis affection. To go further,
have had some Years of crown colony gov
ernment. Personally, have done with the
bInd-''
free Staters Return to Farms.
BLOEMFONTEIN, Tuesday. March 13-
The Free Staters south of here are report
ed to be rapidly returning to their farms
General Grobelaar is attempting to escape
to The north He has a large command and
big convoy of supplies.
The majority of the townspeople antict-
pate that the Free Staters will offer no re-
-