New-York tribune., 1900-05-03
FIGHTING IN The HILLS.
BOERS STUBBORNLY HANG ON THE
FLANKs OF RoBERTs'S ARMY.
Copyright: 1890: BY The New-York Trtbune.l
Try CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Copyright: 1890: BY The New-York Tribunel
IRY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London, May 3. a. m.-The situation IN the
Free State presents the natural play of cross
purposes when both armies are well led by gen
erals of high order of military genius Cen
eral Botha has displayed remarkable ability In
directing the raids south of Bloemfontein and
in recalling the Dutch forces from Wepener and
Dewetsdorp without loss when their lines OF
retreat were menaced. and he has persevered
in thwarting and blocking General Roberts s
plan Of campaign. General Roberts's true line
Of advance stretches northward beyond the Naal
TO Pretoria and Botha is making strenuous et-
forts hold him back by hanging on his flank
- attacking his conveys and threatening his com
rnunications General Roberts desires TO push
his way into the Transvaal because he is con-
vinced that the Free Staters viii not fight out
side their own territory General Botha is bent
upon carrying on the war long as possible
in the Free State where the forces of the two
republics be kept together He has antici-
pated the turning movement which Roberts
had in view from Thaba Nchu northward. and
is holding fast to Frenchs flank, even while the
columns have begun wheel. with Karee as
their pivot.
NEW TACTICS OF THE BOERS
The details of Mondays operations show that
there fighting extended front from
Karee We're occupied by fuckers mounted in
fantry. supported by MaxwelTs brigade. which
had been guarding the road bridge over the
Modder. The advance Of the British troops was
met by a heavy shell fire and by direct onset
Of a swarm of rhemen and the Beers when
driven back were reinforced and enabled to
hold ,heir ground until pressure from the in
fantry was brought TO bear them. The Beers
in this engagement fought on open ground, and
had strong reserves in close columns. These
details indicate a radical change of tactics.
Meanwhile, Hamiltons column had gone ten
miles in front Of Thaba Nchu. the Winbridge
road, and forced passage northward. The
canadians, Gordons and Shropshires bore the
brun' Of the fighting in clearing the hills and
forcing back the Beers upon their main position.
Ihe hShting Vas continued Tuesday, and sew
eral lines Of kopies were taken and held by
Hamllton's column. Meanwhile the Dutch
forces had been withdrawn from the horseshoe
circuit Of hills around Thaba Nchu and been
massed northward and eastward. a rear guard
sufficiently strong 70 hold Rumble in check re-
nained in the positions where the skirmshinS
had taken place Friday and Saturday and
artillery practice continued throughout Tues
day.
The press dispatches are confused but the
general trend OF the news confirms the impress
sion that General Roberts. wishing II be
drawn eastward into the hilIy district has set
two columns in motion northward toward Win
burg, using the road from Sanna's Post his
line Of communication. and that the Beers, in
stead Of massing at Brandfort and Kroonstad,
are clinging 10 the fanks of the advancing
columns and fighting strenuously. The casual
ties officially reported by General Hamilton in
Mondays lighting have not exceeded General
Robertss estimate.
THE AUSTRALIAN DINNER.
The Australian dinner of the National Lib
eral Club last night was significant for several
reasons II was splendid entertainment, which
brought together all the leaders of the Liberal
party except Sir William Harcourt and Mr..
Morley and a large and representative assem-
blase Of prominent men. 1t the closest
approach to party recession which has been
made for long time and important results
were expected to follow it. Lord Darlington
presided and Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman
proposed the toast, The Australian Common
wealth" in z lucid and tactful speech which in
directly charged the Government with response
bHf.y for bringing on an awkward controversy
without taking precautions for forestalling it.
Edmund Barton made in reply the most inn
portaat speech which he has yet delivered in
England II was an able, adroit, statesmanike
defence # Australian right 10 interpret laws
which Australians are allowed to make. 1t was
hardly less than an open challenge TO Mr.. Cham