The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-17
GEN. CRONJE HAS A START OF
DAY OR TWO, AND is NOV
ING NORTHWARD
BOERS LOST MANY SUPPLIES
ARE PRESUMABLY BEING FOL-
BY BRITISH INFANTRY
REJOICING IN GREAT BRITAIN

Relief of Kimberley by Gen. French
Not So Much Noticed as Success
of Movement Inaugurated by
Lord Roberts-Gen. French Re-
mained in Kimberley Only Over
Night, and Pressed on After Beers.
LONDON, Feb. 17-Gen Cronje, with a
start of day or two, is seemingly in full
retreat from Lord Roberts, moving north
ward Gen. French, with the cavalry,
simply stayed over night in Kimberley,
and then pushed on to get in touch with
the retiring enemy. A long Boer wagon
train is moving toward Bloemfontein, fol-
lowed presumably by a large force OF
British infantry. In their hasty depar-
ture the Beers lost quantities of supplies
and ammunition.
Military opinion here is that Lord Rob
erts will not push far after the Beers
Immediately, because of transport prob
lens, and the need Of rest for the troops
He has 10000 persons in his army, and
the whole Kimberley population. He
must rebuild the railway from Modder
latter
Gen French lost few men only in ac-
tion but the forced marches and heat
have probably made many Ill. Numbers
of remounts must be provided.
Lord Roberts has wrought genuine
preliminary success and the impression
is that he has done enough for the pres
20, hay
strike.
JOY IN ENGLAND.
All over England tonight there has been
evidences Of public joy. In every theateI
and public meeting, around the railway
stations and the streets there have been
expressions of gladness and jubiliation
over the news The newspapers are edi-
torially rejoicing. Those who read the
news closely see only one disturbing fac
tor in the Cape situation, and that is the
pressure Of the Beers towards Lord Rob-
erts line of supply through De Aari
which was never more important than
now.
rpho sRoers under Commandants De.
Lacey and Gobler, are making a persist
ent effort to penetrate to the railway
They have pushed Gen. Clements pacH
to Arundel and have outfanked MIN. All
are within sixty miles, or two days marc
march of the Central railway. Dou9tiess
ord Roberts has left considerable 1orces
along the line and can send back more
if necessary
In the Hobbies Of the house last n1ght
It was rumored that Gen. Butler mao
again crossed the Tugela. A special dis
patch dated two days back and JUST
transmitted from Chieveley says that an
important move was then pending there,
although contrary indications are founo
in the fact that seventy-f1ve ambulance
hearers have been temporarily disband-
cd and the further fact that traction en-
gines are arriving at Durham from the
front to be sent to Lord Roberts. more
artillery is being sent to LORD Roperts
from Cape Town.
BOERS DISPERSED.
The war office makes public dlspaIcu
from Field Marshal Lord Rob1rts, SAVING
a ..Jacobsdal, Feb. 1e.-The following from
Cen French was received this morning
...I have completely dispersed the en-
emy from the southern SIDE OF knnpsriey,
from Alexandersfontein to Olipkantsfon-
tein, and am now going to occupy thelr
ground. Have captured the enemy iasi-
ger and store depot supplies ana supphes
of ammunition. Casualties, ABOUT twenty
Of all ranks, wounded.
Kimberley cheerful and Well.
Cen Roberts also sent the following
dispatch:
"Js scobsdal, Feb 16.-I have good rea-
son TO believe the Magersfontein trenches
have been abandoned, and that the Boers
are endeavoring to escape. Gen. F'rench
Is securing the country north OF kimper-
Low One of Gen. Kelly-Kenny' br1gades
of infantry is in pursuit of large Boer
convoy moving towards Bloemfontein
DETAILS FROM ROBERTS.
The following dispatch from Gen. LORD
Roberts fills the gaps In the Garner as
patches: ;.
dModder River, Feb. 16.-The Sixth di-
vision left Waterfall Drift early yester-
day morning and marched here, going on
the same evening to Reondeval Drift to
hold the crossing of the Modder River
and leave Gen. French free to act.
"Shortly after arriving with the mount
cd Infantry I visited Jacobsdal and found
it full of women and children, with four
of our wounded men doing well.
"On the way back the mounted infantry
were attacked and nine men wounded.
Col. Henry and Maj Hatchel and ten
men were missing. Both officers were
subsequently found at Jacobsdal, slightly
wounded.
1.-The cavalry division is moving in a
northerly direction and has partly al
ready reduced the pressure on Kimberley.
Kekewich reports the enemy has aban-
doned Acknowledgement, and he has oc-
cupied it. French has advanced as far
as Abonsdam with little loss and Is push
ing on, his rear being held by mounted in
fantry.
Clements, having been pressed by the
Beers, has retired to Arundel to cover
Naauwpoort.
The war Office points out that the word
"here" means some point on the Modder
river other than the Modder River sta
ton.
BRITISH IN -JACOBSDAL.
OUTSIDE JACOBsDAL, Orange Free
State Thursday, Feb. 15.-Jacobsdal is
now in possession of the British Yes
terday a small cavalry patrol entered the
place and found it full of wounded, in
cluding several British from Rensberg.
The place was only occupied by a small
force which fell back before the patrol,
after a series of small skirmishes. A
battery of artillery shelled the environs
and drove out the last of the Boers
Early this morning a large force of
Beers from Colesberg, with ten guns, at
tackled convoy Of 200 wagons at the Riet
river, she1ling vigorously and doing dam
age. But strong reinforcements have
been sent hence, and 1t is hoped they will
bring in the whole convoy in safety.
Gen. French's division seized three
drifts on the Nodder river At the third
drift the Beers were fairly strongly in