Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-10
Beers WITHDRAWING
continued from page ~

the river with mounted infantry, in
Guiding the Canadians. a long lane Of
wagons was plainly visible. On be-
coming aware Of Gen. Hutton's object,
the Beers stopped their retreat and
opened fire with 10 guns. They seemed
in great force and threatened Hutton $
flank. Presently mounted Beers We're
seen crossing the dry bed OF the river.
They circled to the right and began to
enfilade the West Australians while
many of the British were hit by Boer
shells.
The position became serious. The
Beers sent up achievements, placing
the Australians in danger of being cut
off. Thereupon Gen. Hutton ordered
retirement to WelgolcSen, where he
had left his own convoy. a portion of
the forces advanced and engaged the
Beers to cover this retirement which
was successfully executed. The Beers
continued to shell the retiring troops
but showed no desire to press the at
tack further. Meanwhile the Boer
trains steamed away northward. blow
ing up the culverts as they went.
bOlupli, NhdN j.--AItlOuSn inc III
ish expected considerable opposition at
the difficult drift of the Zand river, the
latest advices from Smaidcel, Orange
Free State. indicate that the fcderals
are not yet ready to make a determined
attempt to stem Lord Roberts adj
vances. The latter's front. indeed. is
so wide that it is difficult to see how
the Beers can help being ousted out Of
Virginia siding. as they We're out of
Smaideel, even if they have 10 give bat
tie.
The SAND considerations would prob
ably affect the situation at Kroonstad.
hence the general belief that little real
opposition will be encountered south
Of the Vaal. The repairs to the bridges
over the Vet river ana the Naal are cX-
pected to retard the general march
from Smaideel and Fourteen Streams.
for three or four days, when Gen.
Butler will also be ready
The general idea is that Lord Rob
erts will direct his right on Harrismith
in order to get in touch with the Natal
army coming through Van Eccncn's
Pass.
a dispatch from Mescru. dated May
s. says the Beers have deserted both
Ladybrand and Ficksburg in a panicky
condition. owing to reports that the
British occupied Senekal, thus threat
cring their retreat 20 the Transvaal.
London, May AT the banquet of
the Iron and Steel institute given. this
evening. at the Hotel Cecil, Sir w. G.
Robcrts-Anstin presiding. Mr.. George
J. Goschen. first lord Of the admiralty.
responding to the toast. Army ana
Navy" said the government fully rec
uCniZed that the finer the troops sent
out to battle for the country, the great
er was the obligation to provide for
them the best means Of success. There
fore. he continued. they had not for
gotten and must not forget the manu-
flcturers Of armor plate and of nipple
ments Of war. and to their scientists
whom they had pressed into the ranks
to aid in solving the terrible problem
they had to face.
we have formidable competitors.
hide said. lin Herr krupp and in the
works at lie Creusot and in the United
States; but we may rely upon the in
ventive genius and the pertinacity of
English manufacturers and scientists
to secure results which are so vital to
the British empire
Mr. Goschen emphatically denied the
statements made in the French Cham
Der OF Deputies regarding the quality
and propelling power of British guns.
declaring that these would hit harder
and had greater bursting power than
the French. He announced that the
government had decided to appoint a
scientific committee of inquiry to eX-
anime all smokeless propellants and all
desirable notifications of the existing
guns.