The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-04-06
BURGHE.RS AGGRESSIVE
The British Force at BlOemfontein
Surrounded by the Enemy.
InfelSinG Il still Being BombarGed,
bur safe UP tn March 2T-NiRety
British Prisoners ReCaptured
The Latest War News.

though the Beers had conceived the
ludacious plan of attempting 10 in
vest Lord Roberts at BloemfOntein,
Or at least to endeavor to delay his
northward advance by harassing the
British lines Of communication.
On his side Lord Roberts is concen-
trating his forces and preparing to
take every advantage of the bold but
risky tactics of the enemy. He is
not likely to strike at any of their
forces until he is certain of deliver
ing crushing blow.
The situation in the absence of any
official dispatch from Lord Roberts
is both mystifying and interesting.
There is little doubt that Lord Rob-
erts is hampered by the necessity
for remounts and transport and the
loss of convoy guns and all of Col.
Broadwood's baggage was a serious
matter.
The Beers are now trusting to what
they believe to be their superior mo-
bility
The special correspondents at the
front are now denOuncing Lord Rob-
erts' policy of Ieniency toward the
Free Staters and are calling for an
abandonment of that policy.
\ special dispatch announces that
Mafeking was still bcsieged but safe
on March -.
Bloemfontein. April 5.-There are
numerous indications that. in pursu-
ance of their boast that they will re-
capture Bloemfontein. the Beers are
trying TO surround the town and to
cut our line of cOmmunica tons to the
south. Large forces are reported east
and south, which are supposed TO be
making for the railway They still
hold Thaba N'chu and the water
works.
Lord Roberts is completing his con-
centratiOn. -Four ~ guns and .our
naval 12-pounders have been mounted
on kopjes commanding the plain. The
cavalry camp has been removed 30 a
better position northeast of The city.
Special precautions are being aiken
20 protect the railway sou Inward
London. April 3.--The war Office re-
ports that Col. Broadwood lost seven
guns and all his baggage III the am
bush laid for him by the Beers on
Saturday. The casualties numbered
$50.
London. April Fuller news of
disaster to the British army in the
neighborhood of Sannas Post does not
tend to improve matters from a Brit
ish point of view. but, with the dis
patches so mystifying. it is imPossi-
bic to accurately portray the present
situation or to foretell the ultimate
issue of Lord Roberts attempt to re-
trieve the defeat
The war Office has posted a dispatch
from Lord Roberts reading rs fol-
lows:
Bloemfontein, April >, 1920 D. n
In continuation of my telegram of
March 81, there has been eonsidera-
bic delay in getting accurate returns
Of the casualties, rs the action took
place twenty-five miles hence, the tel
egraph cable has been interrupted sew
erai times, cloudy weather has inter-
, 1
there has been no engagement since.
the force is continually in touch with
the enemy.
There were many acts Of conspic-
nous gallantry displayed during the
day. 20" remained in action mder
a cross fire at 1.2OO yards for some
hours. the officers serving the guns
4. l. 4. 4
ments. Several gallant attempts were
made 10 bring in two guns. the teams
of which had been killed. but at each
attempt the horses were shot.
The Essex, Munster. Shropshire and
Northumberland mounted infantry
and Roberts horse covered the retire
ment of the guns from that position
to the crossing of the drift found by
the cavalry two miles further south
and withstood the determined attacks
of the enemy. who. in some eases. adj
vanced within one hundred yards.
- battery of the Royal Horse ar
tillery was suddenly surrounded in
the drift and the officers and men
were made prisoners without a
shot being fired
BlOemfOntein, Monday. April .
Gen. Colville's division and Frcnch's
cavalry have returned here. Every
thing is quiet.
London. April Gen. Colville and
Gen. French have given up the move
ment against the Beers east OF Bloem-
fontein. and have rejoined the main
army. II doubtless seemed to Lord
Roberts a vain thing TO send from
ten to twelve thousand Of his best
troops into the wilderness. with a
field transport, in the direction at
right angle with his chosen line of
advance. The Beers have probably
moved elsewhere, and if 10 the south
west. Gen. Colville could as easily
strike them from Bloemfontcin as by
following them across the plains.
Prominent Tanker Dead.