The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-06-15
NEWS FROALORDn
His Line of Communication Has
Been Partially Restored by
Means of a Victory.
METHUeR AND KITCHENER OVER DeWET.
lord Roberts I'm the Meantime At
tackled Gen. Botha. Fifteen Miles
Southeast of Pretoria. but the
Stubborn Boer Stiil Held His
Ground.

STUBBORN beer sun menu Hs
Ground.
London, June 14.-After a weeks si-
lence, Lord Roberts has been heard
from. his line of communication hav-
ing been practically restored by means
of a complete victory gained by Gen
erals Methuen and Kitchener over
Gen. De Wet at the Rhenoster river,
June ~. The Boer camp was cap
tured, and the burghers, it is added,
were scattered in all directions.
How Roberts Acted.
the cutting of his line of eommunica-
tons, sent Gen. Kitchener in all haste
to join Gen. Methuen. June IL Lord
Roberts attacked Gen. Botha. who was
in strong force 10 miles southwest of
Pretoria. After strenuous opposition,
the British troops gained considerable
ground, but Gen. Botha, when Lord
Roberts left the field, was still unde-
feated.
Quiet Mt Pretoria and
All is quiet at Pretoria and johann
nesburg, and Lord Roberts says the
government need have no apprehen-
sion about the security of the army in
South Africa, as it will not taken long
to remedy the reyerses and repair the
railroads.
How the British Fought Rotha.
A lengthy dispatch forwarded to the
war Office by Maj -Gen. Knox, from
kroonstad, presumably sent there by
messenger, reads as follows:
"kroonstad June 12-We have been re.
quested to forward you from Lord Rob-
erts the following dispatch from the Pre-
toria residency at sos a. m, to-day:
Pretoria, June l2.-Pretoria and Jo-
hannesburg are perfectly quiet. and sew
eral vi the inhabitants have expressed
gratitude for the peace and order which
prevail
retired 10 place about Is miles east on
the Middleburg road. He had a small
force at first, but during the last few
Gays his numbers increased. and his be-
ing SO near the town kept up the excite
ment In the country, prevented the burch-
ers from laying dowa their ans, and IN
terfered with the collection of supplies
IL, therefore, became necessary to at
tack him. This | did yesterday He held
very strong position, practically unas-
saiiable in front, which enabled him TO
pace the main portion OF his troops on
his TANKS, which he knew. from former
experience. were his vulnerable parts /
sent French with Porter's and Dixon's
cavalry brigades and Hutton's mounted
infantry round by our right Both col
uInns met with great opposition. At about
three O'Clock in the afternoon | saw two
OF Hamiitons infantry battalions ad.
vancing to what appeared to be the KEY
o oil the enemy's defense. on their left flank
Inns was almost gained before dark and
j ordered the force to hivouac on Ink.
ground they had won
Poie-Carew, with HE division, occu-
pied our center
As / have explained. he could not at
tack, but he gradually advanced so as to
support Ian Hamilton, and when l left the
held he was on the line held by the ene-
my s outposts in the morning
hurried back TO get the news OF
Methuen movement. On hearing that
the Free Staters had taken advantage Of
our crossing the Faal to interupt oIr linz
OF communication, ] sent Kitchener with
such troops as | could then spare to Yer
tNfedeforD, with orders to push south
ana communicate with Methuen, who /
Knew, has very compact force in the
vicinity of Hebron. l also dispatched
Especial messenger to Methuen insfructine
him to push on at all speed to the maiS
line of railway These two officers met ar
Xreport Road station In the evening OF
2une ~. Ihey marched yesterday 10
fnenoster river where Methuen gained
complete victory over De Wet, and took
possession of his camp, and scattered his
". aoops N an directions He and Kitchener
Rarcned to-day towards Kroontsad
Her majesty's government need have
no apprehension to the security Of the
army IN South Africa. The enemy gained
slght success, which was unfortunate
but which will be remedied very shorty
ana II VIII not take long to repair the
oanlage zone 10 the railway. AS these di..
versions are all in existence, / am now
ape 10 mold the line between this and
Rhenoster in strength. Methuen will ar
r'nS re TO guard IT onward as he advances
Hunter should be at Poatchefstroon
to-day. He will then move on Johannes
burg.
We have communicated with Ruller
VINO Will no doubt, soon make the Dres-
ence OF his force in the field felt
our losses yesterday We're NOT
trust tr' serious, but / deplore the death Of
That gallant soldier. the earl of Airlie
The only other casualties reported as VET
are: Seventeenth Lancers-Maj the Hon
Ca Ul r6r'e bo,b t and Lieut. the Hon c.
Gen. Knox adds that Kroonstad is
quite safe.
Eminentiy satisfactory.
Lord Roberts dispatch is regarded
as epinently satisfactory. 1t ends n
period ID suspense caused by the cut
ting of his line of communications. and
Indicates what strong grip he has on
The situation.
The result of the battle between
AsCi0 IOfCtS ana those nf
Gen. Botha is eagerly awaited here.
but il is believed the Boe- commander
viii only complete his retirement
which he seems to have ALREADY COM
menc'd, though there is some hone
that Lord Roberts will be able to sur
round him.
Likely to Have Far-Reachinr Eject
The decisive victory scored by Cen
erals Methnen and Kitchener is re-
Rarded as likely to have a more far
reaching effect than any recent action
In the Orange River Colony.
Gen. kitcheners progress south. it
Is believed, must have almost eoualled
the records of all forced marches. His
detachment from headquarters was a
merely routine procedure. as the chief
of stan is responsible fer the line O,
communications.
huficr Fulfilling noberts' Hone.