Evening star., 1900-05-02
BIG FIGHT EXPECTED
Roberts Forces Trying to Hem in
Free State Beers.
GENERAL ADVANCE TO BEGIN SOON
Expected That the War Will End
Quickly Then.
GENERAL ADVANCE TO BEGIN SOON
GEN. HAMILTON'S LOSSES

LONDON, May 2.-It is difficult to unravel
the tangled stories coming from the neigh
borhood of Thabanchu. but apparently the
British forces engaged in movement
having for its object the hemming in of the
Beers still in that district. While Gems.
French and Rumble holding the Beers
at Thabanchu, Gen. Broadwood's cavalry
has been pushed on Houtnek, in the hope
of intercepting the federal conveys between
Ladybrand and Winburg. As Gen. Botha
has been reinforced, there is every prospect
of sharp fighting.
The new scene of operations and the gen.
eral movements of the various columns are
taken to indicate that Lord Roberts is de-
ploying his army preparatory to beginning
his northern march. 1t now seems likely
that it is the commander-in-chief's intention
to advance simultaneously from Kimberley.
Bloemfontein and Ladysmith, with the view
OF preventing the Beers from concentrating
their forces at any given point
dispatch from BlOemfontein. dated yes
terday. chronicles the prevailing opinion
among the townspeople there that the war
is not likely to last more than six weeks
once the British advance begins, but adds
that the correspondent has been unable to
discove-' any ground for this opinion, be-
y0nd the fact that Gen. Darlington has
rived at the Marandellas base, whence
flying column will be dispatched in 4 direc-
IlOn not MADE puDllc.
Text of kruger's Proclamation.
dispatch from Pretoria gives the text
OF President Krugers proclamation ex-
pel1ing British subjects from the Trans
vaal. 1t says: LAS numerous burghers in
sist on the removal of the British, and as
the government is desirous of complying
with the wishes of the burghers and others
favorable 10 the republic, all Britishers re-
siding in the district and town of Pretoria
and the Witwatersrand gold fields must
leave the state within thirty-six hours from
noon, April 30 Exceptions will be made in
the case of those obtaining special per-
mits.''
Lord Roberts forwards a list Of the casu-
alttes Of General Ian Hamilton's force
April 80, as follows: Killed. Major Show
ers, Lieut.. Parker and one private; wound
ed, four officers and five men; missing two
officers and ten men
A dispatch from Mafeking describing the
Boer attack Of April IL says:
The bOmbardment of the Creusots was
the hottest of the siege. Many shells en-
tered the hospital and women's laager.
Under cover of the artillery a large force
commanded by Cronje (the youngerJ In
clud!ng the German corps. advanced close
to Fort Abrams. The garrison laid low
until the BOer force was at close range
when they fired a volIey, killed five, wound
ed many and the attack was repulsed The
bombarlment then ceased. The Beers un-
Der Red Cross nag, later, were permitted
to recover their dead
Queen Entertains Naval Heroes.
Windsor is in holiday attire today and
decorated from end to end in honor of the
naval brigade of the British cruiser Power
fEl, which assisted in the defense of Lady
smith, The naval men were summoned to
the castle to be Inspected by the queen.
The band of the Grenadier Guards met the
naval brigade al the railroad station and
played them TO the castle. through cheering