The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-02-22
BRITISH FALL BACK.
After Two Days Of Hot Fighting
They Withdraw to Rensburg.
Doubt as to Their Ability to Hold h
Town-An Eyes Turned to Rob-
erts' Movement for Relief
of Kimberley.

0OuDt uA 70 IheAE ADAhAty 10 AAOAu -
Town-An Eyes Turned to Rob
erts' Movement for Relief
OF Kimberley.
London, Feb.A14.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Rensburg, dated Tues
day, says:
There has been hard fighting for two
days near Colesburg, the Beers making
strenuous efforts to oEtflank the British
left. The enemy occupies strong positions
from Achtertang, through Potfontein, to
q point five miles south of Jasfontein. The
fighting at the outpost camps has been
very severe during the last few days.
Monday the Beers attacked the position OF
the Worcesters, to the southeast Of Coles
burg. Fighting continued all day. and
withdraw to Rensburg. Our losses are not
yet known. On the left the West Austrai-
ans, Wltshires and Berkshires had hot
fighting, but held their positions against
long odds. The Beers losses were consid-
cradle. Owing to the growing difficulty
experienced by conveys in reaching The
camps. all of the latter were vacated Mon
day night, and the troops withdrew to
Rensburg. The Beers are burning the
farms Of the loyalists, but the latter have
contrived to get away with their stock
Boers' Latest Stroke.
London, Feb. 14.-The news of the
day is the enforced retirement of the
British from the Colesburg district, IN
der heavy Boer pressure and probably
after brisk fighting. Thus, at a time
when Lord Roberts is apparently about
to push an army into the Free State, the
Beers make a counterstroke in I'M
known but seemingly great force, not
far from the vital line of railway con-
Meeting De Aar and Orange river. Mill
tary observers do not regard this as
more than a menace Nevertheless the
news produces an unpleasant impress
sion here. Gen. French had Unanswered
the Beers out of Rensburg in December.
On January 1 it was reported that he
could take Colesburg in two days with
requirements. These were sent, but
the Beers were also reinforced. Since
then the British lines have been extend
ed east and west, so that at the opening
of this week they constituted a great
horseshoe, rs miles in length. The
lines were not continuous, but all the
French, when he joined Lord Roberts,
presumably took most of his cavalry.
Gen. Clements was left with the infan-
try to hold the Beers in check, but
Commandment Delaney, with a double
turning movement, has compelled the
British to concentrate at Rensburg, be-
side threatening Lord Roberts COM
munications.
Can't Hold Rensburg.
London, Feb. IA dispatch to the
Evening News from Rensburg says Sc
we're fighting occurred during the Brit
ish retreat, the various outposts on both
sides suffering heavy losses. The dis
patch adds it is doubtful if Rensburg
can be held.
Roberts Promises Relief.
London, Feb. 14.-An undated dis
patch from Mafeking, via Gaberones,
February 2, says:
Col. Baden-Powell has received a COM
munication from Lord Roberts promising
that relief would be sent in a few weeks.
The. food will last. The garrison is rs game
as ever. The Beers have expressed their
intention not to fight. but to starve lis out.
All WELL"
British Casualties.
London, Feb. IA revised list Of
the British casualties at Potgieter's
drift from February 5 to February z
shows: Killed, 26; wounded, 319; miss
ing, S.
All Eyes on Roberts.
London, Feb. 14.-The cessation Of
wal news from South Africa is taken
TO indicate that the British prepara-
tions for a move from Modder river
are about completed and that impor-
tant events can be anticipated within
a few days. Interest centers almost
wholly upon Field Marshal Roberts,
especially since Gen. Buffers report
of his withdrawal from Vaa1 Krantz
came, for the first time, through Lord
Roberts, showing that all the differ
ent operations over the wide field will
hereafter be more completely coordi-
mated. 1t is now known that the mil
itary attaches have gone to join Lord
Roberts at the Modder river; another
move preluding an advance.
Rhodes Friends Alarmed.
The friends of Cecil Rhodes are be-
coming alarmed at his possible fate,
and have sent an emissary to see DR..
Leyds, the diplomatic agent of the
Beers in Europe, in regard to the prob
able course the Beers would pursue
in the event of his capture. DR.. Leyds
assured the Intermediates that the
Beers did not intend to kill Mr..
Rhodes, but, he added, they would GER
tainly hold him as a hostage until the
indemnity for the Jameson raid was
paid. In view of the developments
since the raid, the Beers have also de-
cided to double the amount of the in
demnity demanded, SO Mr.. Rhodes
friends will have to hand over G2,o0O,-
900 ($1O,o 900, O0O) before he is released.
Centenarian Killed.
Council Bluffs, Ia, Feb. IA. = John
Montgomery, who vas probably the
! 1900 $780, 80 49, rsr