The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-25
WORK OF "BOBS. -
Chief Hope of Success of Unionists
in English Elections.

New York, Sept. Pa dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
The Duke of Devonshire has replied
to the challenge from DaImeny and
Messrs. Balfour and Chamberlain, the
Earl of Kimberly and scores of canvass
erS have been speaking within twenty
four hours. But Lord Rosebery's let
tiers have impaired the chief impulse to
the Liberal canvass, while Lord Rob
erts has done the most effective work
for the UnioniSts. He has fully con-
firmed the earlier reports of the occupa-
ton of komatipoOrt by the British
army and the disappearance of the
remnants of the Boer commanders in
Portuguese territory after a few rifle
shots had been fired. The guards bri-
gade, which has held the post of honor
throughout the campaign, led the way
into KOmatipoort, the final objective
point of Lord Roberts strategy. The
brigade has marched in the course of
the year from DeAar to Margersfontein
under Methuen and to Bloemfontein,
Pretoria and the Portuguese frontier
under Lord Roberts and it now stands
guard over the back door OF the neu-
trail base through which the Dutch re-
ceived their arms and supplies.
The war has ended with the destruc-
ton of guns and ammunition on the
edge of the frontier and with the dis
arming of the refugees by the Portu
guese officials. Every mile of railway in
the two Dutch states is now under
town is garrisoned.s Lord Roberts has
finished his work and can return to
England, after proclaiming a state of
peace, in which belligerents will be Ii
able to summary punishment as out
laws and murdererS.
The Delagoa Bay railroad, which has
played an important part in the Boer
plan of campaign, will not become an
instrument of peace. 1t is nominally
owned by a Holland company, but has
virtually been the property of the Trans
vaal government The Holland direct
orS, in order to prevent the cOnflSca-
ton OF this railway by the British mill
tary authorities will be anxious to clear
the line and put 1T in working order to
Pretoria for supplying the army OF oc-
cupatiOn and for the resumption OF
mining operations on the Rand The in
terests of the Portuguese traders are
identical with those of the directors
The neutral base, without which the
Beers could not have armed themselves
and kept up a years campaign, is con-
verted by the completion of Lord Rob
erts' campaign into center of COM
merce with the victorious army and
mining camps which are behind 1T. The
Boer refugees are diSarmed and even
imprisoned and the merchants of Della
goa Bay are settling down at once for a
period of brisk trade with Pretoria and
johannesburg. The railway bridge at
KOmatipOOrt has been saved, probably
through the good offices of the Portu-
guese and raiders who interfere with the
prompt resumption OF BUSINESS ali alOHs
the line will have no friends in Delagoa
Bay. The entire influence of the neutral
base will now be thrown on the British
side against a prolongation of a hope
less struggle by train WreckerS and row.
ing bands of guerillas.
Incidents which now fill Lord Roberts
daily bulletins and the meagre dis
patches received by the London press.
acts of war. Methuen has captured
large droves of cattle and sheep. Paget
has broken up the camp of Erasmus
commando and other commanders are