Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1900-02-17
BOER LINES TURNED.
A British Army Inside Boer From
tier on Free State Territory.
1 BATTLE EXPECTED ANY TINE.

Wllkinsea sums Up the situatioa-rhs
London Timer Editorial COMMENT
Total British Casualties In the War
Up to Last Night
London, Feb. 15.-The British army,
for the first time since the war began,
In inside the Boer frontier. Lord Rob.
erts, with at least 10000 infantry,
1000 cavalry and $50 guns, has turned
the Magersfontein lines. before which
the British forces have been cncaniped
for ten weeks, and with half Of his
corps he. Ia already operating OH Free
State territory. A battle has not yet
been fought, but large tactical edvan-
tages have been gained. The relief Of
Kimberley is within measurable reach
and the way to Bloemfontein is appre-
Gladly easier.
The dispatches Of Lord Roberts
sketch three days work. The for
ward movement began on Sunday,
when Col. Hannay set out with n
brigade of mounted infantry for
Ramah. on the Riet, eight miles from
Jacobsdnl, one of the Boer supply
bases. On Monday Gen. French, with
the cavalry division, seized the cross
ing Of the Riet river ut Dekils drift,
south of Jacobsdal and IS miles east
OF Honcynest kloof. He skirmished
with the Beers and cleared the way
for 10000 infantry, who followed
across. On Tuesday, with his three
cavalry brigades and the horse artil-
lery, Gen. French rode to the Modder
river, n distance of rs miles, and took
three fords, with high ground beyond
the river and five Boer camps. He had
o few casualties in brushes with the
Boer horse. Gen. French has now
fixed himself on Gen. Cronje's main
line of communications with Bloem-
fontein, and 10000 infantry, with 72
guns, are being pushed up to support
him there.
Lord Roberts dispatches, wired
from inside the Free State and on the
Riet river, left him Wednesday MORN
ing. His advance had not been OPP
posed by the Beers Ia force. Their
patrols melted away rs the British
moved forward. The Boer army Is
likely to be felt in dry or two and
battle Is consequently imminent.
wilkinson on tho Situation.
London, Feb. 15.-Spencer Wilkin-
son, in the Morning Post yesterday
says: "There is good news to-day.
for a new campaign has begun. The
movements of Lord Roberts are a
practical illustration of the principle
of concentration Of action in time and
space. The unexpected presence OF
the Sixth division makes Lord Roberts
stronger by 10000 men than anyone
had ventured to hope. Evidently he
ordered Gen. McDonald's reconnais-
sance to Koodoosberg in order to
draw the enemy's attention west
ward, away from the contemplated
move through the Free State. The
Boer army is barred from the direct
route to Bloemfontein, and even on
the road by Boshof II would be ex-
posed to a flank attack during the
march.
Gen. Cronje, on learning Of Lord
Roberts dispositions on Tuesday and
yesterday must have had an interest
ing problem. He had to consider
whether to hold on to his position
at Jacobsdal and Magersfontein and
to seize Kimberley, or to raise the
siege and move off-and, II so, in what
direction-whether to Bloemfontein
or northward across the vaal. These
events form the brilliant opening Of
q new campaign which is being
marked by concentration of purpose
and by IN energy and rapidity that
augur well for the future. The pub
lie must wait patiently for the result
of these operations, remembering that
the distance to be covered is consid-
cradle and the heat great. Possibly
enough there may be no general ac-
tion until Friday"
The TImss' Editorial Comment.
/ London, Feb. 15.-TLe Times, in an
editorial commenting upon Lord Rob-
erts' "dexterous and brilliant move
ment," says: "The Beers have shown
themselves too wary and too skillful
for US 10 assume that the success Of
these operations must disconcert their
scheme Of defense or compel them to
raise the siege Of Kimberley without
further struggle, but so far as 1t IL
possible to judge In the absence Of
detailed information and good maps
the operations should he followed by
strategic consequences Of the highest
value. The presence Of q large Brit
fish force inside the Free State borders
and within relatively. easy striking
distance of the capital must largely
alter the whole aspect Of the war 70
the Beers. Lord Roberts first steps
show that he is executing with oil his
old skill pplan Of operations care
fully and ably thought out"
Total Rriti.h CasuAitiss.
London, Feb. 15.-The total British
casualty returns up TO last night are:
Officers killed, 15a; wounded, $50;
missing. 112; men killed. 1,477;
wounded, $3.50; missing, a,7si; other
fatalities reported. $50. Grand total.
1o,5lS.
Ths L 4. ". In ss'slsa.