The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-05-16
THAT ROBERTS WILL BE IN PRE-
T0RiA IN TWO MONTHS.
But a Rough Country is Ahead-Boers
Can Check British North of Kroon-
stad for Time. Relative Forces.

uoS W tiO " at SA43SS'
Predictions are definitely made be
will enter Kroonstad next Monday,
and it is believed that his advance is
probably alread reconnoitering the
vicinity of Ventersbarg, where the
bill country begins again. Beyond
Kroonstad is an intricate and diff.
cult country, and if the Beers should
elect to fight it is possible they could
check the progress of the British
until Roberts numerous cavalry bad
had time to ride around their flank
and threaten their rear.
F:om $4,000 to 10000 is the high
est estimate of the Beers under the
personal command Of Gen. Botha,
who is said to have 46 guns. Gen.
Botha and Dewet are reported to
have quareled.
Lord Roberts is pressing hard
after this force with $4,000 men and
14o gune, and 10000 more men are
easily available.
President Steyn with 10000 men
is reported to have been east of
Thsba N'Chu yesterday Thursday
noon, and battle was then immi-
nent. The advance troops of Gen.
Brabant were being fred on.
According to advices from Durham,
dated Thursday, Ger. Buffers army
is showing activity but complete
news embargo is imposed upon the
correspondents with him.
Parties of B oers are still holding
the mountains adj .cent to Spring
field: New Zealand scoutA burned
the homestead of farmer named
Greyling in whose house arms were
found at Deering. During concert
for the relief of the sufferers from
the Begbie works explosion, given
Saturday, at Pretoria, in the Gaiety,
the doors were suddenly closed and
every man in the audisrce was
commanded. All the horses were
taken from the conveyances outside.
President Kruger has released The
Daily Mail correspondents, Messrs.
Hallowell and Hofmeyer.
BRITISH ADVANCE RAPIDLY.
London, May 10-Tbe crossing of
the Zand river by the British ap-
pears to have been effected sooner
than even the most sanguine expect
ed, and this morning Lord Roberts
temporary headquarters is establish
ed in cable cart on the north bank
of the river. Though the opposition
the federals are Offering shows that
yesterdays report Of the abandon
ment of their position were i'll found
ed, Lord Roberts advance force, con-
sisting of from 10000 to $4,000
mounted mep, besides infantry, artil-
lery ard the naval contingent, ap-
pears to be sufficiently powerful to
overwhelm any opposition the burg
hers Can off=r. Even though, as re-
ported yesterday, they have been re-
enforced by 5000 men from other
com mands and possess score of
heavy guns, the experts believe the
opposition will not be prolonged
longer than is necessary to remove
the guns and other impediments in
the direction of Kroonstad.
Further reports from Lorenzo Mar
ques show that the customs sutho,i
ties there, in addition to clio: hing aud
shoes, refuse to clear c0rned beef for
the Transvaal, holding it is contra
band.
Lord Roberts announcement this
evening of the fight of the Beers
from the Zand river naturally caused
considerab bic gra,;ication at the war
Office, where it is now believed that
he will not allow the federals enough
breathing space to reform south"ard
of Kroonstsd. It is just possible
that Lord Roberts transport may BE-
in such condition that he will be able
to keep his troops moving SO RAPIDLY
as to drive the Beers right through
Kroonstad without giving them time
to organize resistance in the formid
able entrenchments so carefully pre-
pared at the Valsch river. The fac
that Gen. French and the cavalry
have heen hrnnoht I'D To sunpiemen