The evening times., 1900-03-13
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
TUESDAY. MARCH la. 1900.


Lord Roberts has again succeeded in
turning the Beers. and by this time must
be on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. His
opponents appear TO have held the line,
often spoken OF. from Abraham's Kraal to
AasrogeI Kop. Their position is repre-
scented to have been strong and well en-
trenched. 1t was doubtless with view to
its preparation that General Cronje made
his heroic stand al KOodoe's Rand hold
ing the whole British Army in check for
a week But Lord Roberts did not attack
on the line he was expected to. He moved
southeast along the Kaal SpruiJ and out
nanked his foes. leaving them nothing to
do but to fall back 10 some new position.
which they will hardly have time TO en-
trench before he will be up with or around
them again.
The BOer strength ar and near Bloem-
fontein is placed at twelve thousand men.
Lord Roberts has at least forty thousand.
including ten thousand cavalry and
mounted infantry. Unless the Bocr COM
mander can choose his ground and have
time to fortify it, there is little prospect
that he can much obstruct the British ad-
vance. OF course. as he falls back his
numbers may be largely increased. but at
present they are miserably inadequate 90
cope with Roberts columns
That no greater force has been assembled
10 defend the Orange Free state capital.
seems 70 argue Decentralization. Either the
Transyaal burghers are indifferent TO the
interests or fate Of their ally and have
refused % fight for he. or the general
scheme OF resistance is going in pieces. We
have heard that General Joubert has with
drawn from The front in dudgeOn and
there are other significant indications that
the end Of the campaign may be- near The
most notable of these is the plea for peace
which President Kruger has addressed di-
recJy TO Lord Salishury. aud indirectly to
Great Britain through President Mckinley
When q bitter and trugulcut Uld leader like
Paul Kruger asks FOR terms j.. is not un-
reasonable 10 infer that the fgh. is pretty
well out OF him. The inevitable answer
20 his message may lead his followers "a
maintain resistance FOR while longer. bu
probably not a great UhiIc. ass they must
soon begin 10 realize that they will gain
nothing by continuing the struggle. viii
waste life usoIessly. and gs' all the harder
terms in the end
As far as can be judged. Nalebiug stu
holds out. The relieving column from
Kimberley is moving toward the beleag-
ured town, but doubtless slowly. and Colo
uel Plumer's force from Rhods-ia appear.
TO be at a standstiH at Crocodile Poole som,
distance above. General Gatacre ha.
reached Bethulie Bridge. but is probably
not strong enough to cross and fight tho
Beers who are on the other side. Re-eu-
forcemeuts are coming up from the coast
and by the time Sir George White arrives
10 take command il is probable that the
columns Of Clements. Gatacre. and Bra
bant viii be ready TO consolidate for a
movement into the Free State. But this
may be delayed long enough TO give the
BOer commanders an opportunity to ge,
away and Join the main body of their army
On account Of the wide range OF open coun-
try in the field Of operations the chances
for cutting them OF are perhaps slight