Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-02-24
REIOICES AND WONDERS.
London GIaddened and Puzzled by
Roberts Dispatch.


London, Feb. 1G.-While there IN ire.
mendous satisfaction and iubilation
here at Lord Roberts and French's
success, those best suited to Judge the
situation are inclined 10 the opinion,
pending more definite information,
that the news better be regarded as
assuring rather than as accomplishing
the relief Of the beleagucred city OF
Kimberley. A careful study Of the ann
biguity Of the wording of Roberts dis
patch leads TO the belief that the ac-
tual -elief of the place is still a matter
of time. Kimberley, il is pointed out,
can scarcely be termed relieved till il
is feasible TO take provisions there.
The rapidity of French's march indi-
Gates he was unable 10 do this, and
whether or not he left the lines behind
him open is only n matter of surmise.
Another remarkable feature OF Rob
erts' laconic telegram is the fact that
it is dated at Jacobsdal, which was
General Cronje's advance base Of sup
plies, yet there is no word explaining
the British commanders presence
there nor a word Of any opposition
which he or French encountered. Had
Roberts inflicted a decisive defeat on
the Beers ii is believed he would have
mentioned il, ms such a success would
be greatly paramount 10 the relief Of
Kimberley. However, French'S entry
TO Kimberley has been effected, and
doubtless brings Joy TO the hearts OF
those who have been shut up in the
city for 1872 days. The Sixth and Sew
cnth divisions have already crossed the
river and are probably with Roberts at
Inn,Igl,1 NNInt Inc hn1,,Y.J 10
Cronie and the whereabouts Of his
forces puzzle the experts.
Toer Movements.
\ dispatch from Cape Town, dated
February ~, received this morning
says:
THE Beers are leaving Magersfon-
tein to reinforce other positions. It
is estimated that between 1000 and
10000 men are there. Roberts wide
turning movement via Jacobsdal has
cut Off these troops from Bloemfon.
tein, but while the British forces are
endcavoring TO intercept the Beers
communications there is Il parallel
Boer column trying TO cut off the Brit
ish lines TO DcAar, and it is apparently
meeting with some success"
4 Boer dispatch from Lourenzo
Marquee, dated Thursday, February
Is. says the initial attack on ColeSburg
February IL resulted in a federal loss
of nine men killed, fourteen wounded
and five prisoners. The British, it is
added. were driven out of their camp
and one of their maXims captured.
News Of French's entry into Kimber-
ley was received on the stock exchange
here today with rousing cheers. No
boom i'm stocks was created, but n sat
isfactorily strong undertone pre-
vailed.
According 10 a dispatch from Chic
vcley dated Wednesday. February II,
is ascertained the British artillery
during the last weeks fighting rem
dercd two large Bocr guns and one
n~ordcnfeldt ineffective.
a Stcrkstroom dispatch Wednesday,
February IA, says Colonel Kagar, who
was wounded and captured at Storm
berg, died February IS. The Beers
turned the body over TO the British at
Moltcno.
Bo"r Operations in Zuiuiand.
The Morning Leader says: at was
no vain report which told us of n
strong Boer column in Xululand. 1t
iiS Dttll bNlObS Ni'hSh W Nv pHNN
Colonel Addison's column. which had
been working up from Eschowe. This
place is unpleasantly close 10 the sea,
md if the Beers should get there they
would practically have Il port, not u
big one, but still a port. Even at
Ihieveley camp the Beers are Keeping
General Buffers men lively.
''The statement of Chamberlain and
3alfour in the house of commons re-
garding the arming of natives opens
ip n new prospect of horror in this
war. However great the
revocation, we should regard the
rrming Of undisciplined, uncivilized
iafirs ms an act Of the gravcst folly.
70 put n rifle i'm the hands Of a saw
is to invite him to commit atroci-
les. lie has no other conception of
warfare"