The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-23

LONDON. Aug. ga report from Gem
eral Roberts indicates that the Boer oppo-
sition in South Africa is thoroughly de-
moraiized and decisive victories for the
British forces may soon be expected.
According TO the advices from the Brit
ish commander-in- chief, De Wet has been
cut off from the eastward and has proba-
bly, recrossed the MagIiesberg in an effort
to escape his pursuers by plunging into the
difficult country of the Orange River Colo
NY
General Roberts reports that the Boer
leader has only about three hundred fol-
lowers left and that De Wet has been COM
pclIed to bury his guns. probably because
ne was unable to transport them during
his hurried marches.
According to the official advices, Presi-
dent steyn is making a desperate effort to
get ont of the field of military operations
and join Kruger at Machadodorp. Roberts
says that steyn is reported to have re-
crossed the Pfenaars River for that pur-
pose.
The advices indicate that the burghers
are in the most desperate straits and Off
eiaIs here are expecting news of De Vets
surrender at any time. It is also believed
that Steyn viii be captured before he can
join Kruger at Machadodorp.
d Butler has had some fighting during his
advance Roberts reports that he was If
teen miles south of Belfast on Tuesday and
that his column has had twenty casualties.
There was an engagement on Tuesday
between Beden-Powen ana Grobler's rear
guard. the latter being driven back. While
the fighting was in progress, the advance
guards rushed into each other and the
Rhodesians had lieutenant colonel and
four men killed and two officers and six
men woan1ed.
General Roberts despatch to the War
once follows:
Pretoria. Aug. 22.-BulIer was
at Van Wyks Wei. fifteen miles south
of Belfast yesterday, He has had
twenty casualties.
"Baden-Poweu drove Grobler's rear
guard back east of Pienaars River in
q fight yesterday. During the fight
the advance guards gaIIoped into each
other. the RhodesiaHs losing lieu
tenant colonel and four men killed and
two officers and six men wounded
1T seems certain that De Wet who
has no hope OF getting to the east
ward. has recrossed the Mag!iesberg
with the intention of returning to the
Orange River Colony He has about
500 followers. Most of his guns have
been buried.
''Steyn is stated TO have crossed
Pienaars River with the intention Of
joining Kruger at Machadodorp
ROBERTS" !
The correspondence captured by the |
British at Bloemfontein was published To-
day. 1t consists mostly of letters from |
Cape Colony politicians tc Presidents
Steyn and Kruger. The members OF Par
lament whose names are mentioned in the
are Henry Labouchere, edf- |
tor CT TRUTH Dr. Gavin Clark. formerly |
Consul General of the TransvaaI 10 Great |
Britain. and John Edward Ellis, Liberal |
member for Nottinghamshire
The alleged incriminating letters were
III written before the breaking out of The |
war in South Africa. The sole aim of the /
writer's apparently was to secure a peace
5ul solution of the difficulty by means OF
4 compromise. and they specially urged
by the Beers. Instead OF be-
ng in any degree reprehensible. the let
.ers will impress impartial readers as be-
ng distinctly ereditable to the writers.
TEST OF A WATER TANDEM.
Prav eIed Thirty Miles During "a Sc
we're Lake Storm
CHICAGO, Aug. 23.-Buffeted by heavy
waves and driven by hard gale the