New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
ROBERTS IS CAUTIOUS.
DUTCH FORCES STILL FIGHTING STUB
BORNLY on HIS FLANK.
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Trbune-l
TBy CABLE TO TIE -RIBUNE-I


London. June 8, l q m--GeneraI Robertss
bulletins contain evidence that the Dutch have
not yet finished lighting and that there is W.
gent need Of caution in conducting the advance
The Highland Brigade. instead Of being with
Ian Hamilton. as was previously supposed, has
been advancing from Ventersburg to Hebron.
and skirulishtng the whole distance The naval
guns and field artillery were used and the
march was d trying one. with about fifty casu-
alries
The persistent opposition offered TO Colvile's
troops On the immediate flank Of the railway
line leading 70 the Vaal is proof that the Free
State burghers are still in the field. and bent
upon harassing The British army in its north
ward progress. General Rundles casualties in
the operations between LindIey and Senekal
have run Up 10 80, and the press dispatches
show thar the Free State troops were strongly
reinforced from Bethlehem, and that they
fought with determination and skill and were
driven back after a stubborn resistance General
Brabant is reported 10 have surrounded small
Boer force near Fgcksburg. Colvila, RUndIe,
Clements and Brabant now hold g long line on
the eastern flank from HeLbron through LindIey
and SenekaI TO F1cksburg. and the Free State
troops are contestng strongly the general
wheeling movement toward Bethlehem and Har-
rismith. The Dutch resistance has not ended in
that quarter. nor IN the poor white district Of
Cape Colony, where General Warren has been
confronted with q superior force OF rebels. The
details Of this affair show that the rebels We're
repulsed after they had succeeded in surround
ing Warren's force. but not until there had been
hard fighting.
Public interest centres upon the advance line
between Johannesburg and Pretoria French's
report OF his operations on Monday and Tuesday
did rot reach General Roberts until Thursday
morning He had driven the Boers from a series
of strong positions, with rhirty-one casualties,
and was holding MS ground north Of Johannes
burg. in accordance with General Roberts's in
structi0ns.
General Roberts's detailed report of the occu-
patton Of johannesburg was given out by the
War Office AZ midnight Two divisions, with the
Naval Brigade and brigade divisions, marched
through The Town. and the flag was raised and
Ra-uted in the presence OF g good crowd. The
TransvaaI Commandant Krause rode with Cen
eral Roberts and had arranged the ceremony in
advance. General Roberts left q single brigade
70 guard The town. and the remaining troops en-
caEped north Of the city on the Pretoria road
Har-llton's column and French's mounted force
We're s-A further away. These official details
leave several points IN doubt but II is evident
lhat General Roberts has not been drawn into
pretoria with premature haste but is acting
cautiously and deliberately and adhering 10
pans OF MS Hamilton and French are
possibly carrying out some preconcerted ar
-0--s=ilent Nlth MeChuen with the British
-1I1es rom the western border, but more prob
any lhey are waiting for the infantry to come
W 10 their support
apparently Lord ROberus's army near Jo-
-S-.ilss'lrg Is not over thirty thousand strong,
a--- ne IS not in q hurry. but is waiting for the
-liI LlFl-on o1 his transport arrangements and
P0Ss-oy Tor reinforcements. The public here
--3S Deen Hisled by Lord Roberts's dispatch. but
O7-7r1- Roberts is patiently biding his time A
suspicion IS entertained by some well informed
---7- 'leI negotiations are IN progress for the
surrender or Pretoria on similar terms 10 the
occupation Of Johannesburg. and that President
-A--ser Is Il communication with Lord Sails
DUfy- These theories are plausible. but the
Dreof is lacking