The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-07-24
HARD FIGHTING IN AFRICA
THREE DAYS or IT IN VICINITY OF
 MACHAEDODORP.
British Reported to Have Suffered Heavy Losscs--ROberts Reports n Vic- tory for Methuen-The BOers COm- pleteIy Dlspersd nt Oliphant's Ncls and Severe Losses 1Dfl!ctcd- Doyvot's Success fuI Raid.
Successful Raid,

London, July 24-The Daily Express has the following from Machadodorp dated Monday, July 29: "There has been severe fighting during the last three days and the Boers have inflicted heavy losses upon the British at Derde- poort Six hundred women and chil- dren from Pretoria, including Mesdames Kruger, Botha and Meyer have arrived at Barberton"
 The war office has received a telegram from Lord Roberts dated Pretoria, Sum- day July 22, which repeats the news contained in the telegram from General Forestiar- Walker given below, and con- tinues:
 "Methuen continued his march after the occupation of Heckport and engaged the enemys rear guard at Zindsfontein, July 20, Casualties, one killed and one wounded. Early. Saturday he attacked the enemy again at Oliphant's Nek and completely dispersed them, inflicting heavy loss. Our casualties were slight. By these successes Rustenberg has been relieved and Methuen and Baden Powell have joined hands.
 Hunter reports that Bruce Hamilton secured strong position on the Spitz- ray yesterday, with a battery and the Cameron Highlanders and 300 mounted men Our casualties were three of the Camerons killed and Captain Keith Hamilton of the Oxfords, Captain Brown and Lieutenant Stewart and thirteen men of the Camerons wound ed"
 From the transmission of the above dispatch from Pretoria it is evident that Lord Roberts Communication south have again been opened They were cut by General Dewet, the first in- formation of which came in the form of telegram from General Forestier- Walker, dated at Cape Town, Sunday, July .22, forwarding a dispatch from General Knox as follows:
 "Kroonstad, July Following from Broadwood sent by dispatch rider to Honing Spruit, wired thence to Kroon- stad: Have followed commando since July 16. Hard, sharp fighting at Pal mietfontein July 19. Prevented from pursuing laager by darkness. Eight dead Boers found. Our casualties, five killed and seventy-slx wounded. Reach Vaalkrantz to-day Enemy doubled back through Paarde Kraal in dark ness. Shall march tomorrow to Rood evaal Station. Send supplies for three thousand men and horses, also any news of the enemys movements. I be- lieve the commando consists of 2.000 men and four guns, and Is accompanied by President Steyn and both the De Vets '
 General Knox continues: "The wire and main line of the railway north of Honing Spruit have been cut, and also tn telegraph to Pretoria via Potchef- stroom. According to my information, De Wet has crossed the railway and go- ing north"
 General Kelly-Kenny telegraphs from under date of Sunday, July 9:
 The railway has been cut north of Spruit. and supply train and 100 Highlanders captured by the enemy. A report was received this morning that I large force of the enemy is moving on Honing Spruit All communication with Pretoria is cut off. The Second and Third cavalry brigades are following the enemy"
 The London morning papers feel com pelled to recognize General De Vets clever strategy in baf1ling all efforts to catch him, while constantly harrassng the British lines of communication
 Only the scantiest details have been allowed to come through. Apparently, when nightfall stopped the engagement with Colonel Broadwood, Generel De Vets forces divided into small parties, me of which cut the railway and cap- ured the Highlanders, the Boers after ward reunting at Rhenoster river. The latest advices from Pretoria an- lounce that General Stevenson's br- | yade has occupied Elands river and | hat General Hamilton has occupied 1 Ooorn Kraal.
 Letters reaching London from the | British troops in Orange river colony | ssert that both men and horses are | h short supplies and out of condition | or hard work. If this be true there s | title cause for wonder at the failure to | apture De Wet and at the apparent | paralysis of the operations.