New-York tribune., 1900-05-24
PRESSING ON THE BOER.S.
ROWING THE CIRCLE ABOUT
THE DUTCH.
q years siege
copyright; 1900: By The New-York Tribune-l
[BE CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.l

IcopyTight; 1900: By The New-York Tribune.l
fBT CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
London. May "a, L g. m.-General Roberts's
infantry began moving Monday with the cavalry
brigades well in advance. Heilbron. Steyn's
fourth capital was occupied by Ian Hamilton's
mounted infantry Tuesday morning after
considerable fighting. General Roberts himself
was with the infantry division at Honing Sprut.
on the railway. the same day. and advanc-
ing toward the Rhenoster River, where the
Beers had been threatening make strong
stand Lord Roberts seemed bent upon repeat
ing the tactics adopted in his first advance from
Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu when wing
was the railway and the other forty miles
eastward on a broad front The two wings were
closer together than before and the right was
further NORTH whereas il was the left that had
forged ahead and captured Brandfort- Hamil-
ton s force, marching by the Lindley road, had
a running fight, and lost seventy-fve killed
and wounded before entering Hebron and
Broadwood had caught up with the Boer con-
voys and captured good many wagons.
General Hamilton, apart from seizing Steyn's
nominal capital and compelling him to proclaim
another one somewhere in the saddle. had
turned the position which the Beers had taken
UP astride the railway at Rhenoster River
There was however. a double turning move
nent for General French had already fanked
the Boer positions by more extended wheel
northwest toward the Vaal River, and appar-
emily had rendered them untenable. The press
censorship shuts out all information respecting
General Roberts's fresh concentration. but as
he is reported TO have left a full division behind
at Kroonstad it is evident that he has called
up the Third, Sixth and other reserves. Cape
Colony south OF the Orange River has been
pacifed and the lines of communication south
Of Brandfort can be lightly guarded. especially
when a division is stationed at Kroonstad- with
Methuen working up toward Klerksdorp In the
west and Rumble and Brabant heading for Beth
lehem in the east the reserves and militia bat
talions have been moved forward all along the
line Of communications and Roberts's army
strengthened for its fresh advance. General
Buffers army has been reinforced in the same
way. and Hunters and Methuen's forces have
been stifened with reserves drawn from the
line of the railway from De Aar 10 Kimberley.
new series Of dispatches from Mafeking
shows that Baden-Powell did not waste time in
festivity when the relief column marched in.
The combined forces at once went out TO harass
the retreating Beers, shell the main laager and
capture gun and a large stock Of ammunition.
The conduct of the Mafeking garrison in this
respect was more creditable than that Of either
the Ladysrnith or Kimberley forces which
neglected 10 take advantage of their opportuni-
that he came near capturing snyman, and that
the Beers were dispensing in several directions.
Baden-PoweIl remains in command of the forces
al Mafekng owing 10 his promotion. and will
render active assistance in reopening the rail-
way north and south
The campaign, unless all signs fail. has ended
on the western border line. The operations now
extend from Klerksdorp and Hebron to Laing's
Mex. with Olivier's commando still in control OF
fethlehem. When the Vaal has been passed
ana Leing's Mex either turned forced there
VIII De further shrinkage of this line by a
lapo concentration upon johannesburg and
Ffeuor1s While General Roberts is heading for
johannesburg, Hamilton is on a parallel road
ieaoihe 70 Heidelberg. where the retreat Of the
iofces now blocking Buffers progress at Laings
ser can De cut off and Krdger's resources for
- 3eience OF Pretoria greatly diminished
e "ooplne of the colors was witnessed by a