The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-03-01
Continued from 1st page.)

itself on Colonel Baden-Powell.
An Arundel dispatch dated Tuesday
shows that the Beers in force made
determined attempt to invest Arundel,
but were baffed by the smart maneu-
vering of the British mounted troops.
Cecil Rhodes is expected to arrive in
Cape Town February "a Further de-
tails of the attack by Colonel Plumer's
force on the Boer positions, defended
by 12-pounder, near Crocodile Pools,
not far from Gaberones, show that the
British were struggling up the hill in
the dark, through barbed wire, they
alarmed the Boer watch dogs, who
gave the alarm. The Beers opened fire
and the British charged, but the Beers
exploded dynamite mines, doing much
damage, and the British retreated.
LONDON, Feb. 21.-With 10000 Brit
ish troops in hot pursuit of Cronje, or
already surrounding him, Lord Rob-
erts' campaign in the Free State has
thus early reached critical point, and
England is waiting the issue with
marked impatience.
Up to 2 o'clock this morning the
War Office had issued no bulletin con-
corning the momentous operations be-
tween Kimberley and Bloemfontein
other than an unimportant one, show
ing that the commander in chiefs
headquarters has been established at
Paardeberg, thirty miles east of ia
cobsdal, close to the main road to the
Free State capital, from which it is
forty miles distant. Nor had any dis
patches come through to the newspa-
pers from the scene of war. Lord
Kitchener, who is in command of the
pursuing army, has with him all of
French's cavalry, the Sixth, Seventh
and Ninth Divisions, and MacDonald's
Highland brigade.
Cronje has probably with him, be-
sides his original force of 10000, 5000
invaders of Cape Colony, some of
whom were in the command that
fought Clements at Colesberg, while
others were at Stormberg. According
to some authorities, the Free Staters,
who are moving from Colenso and
Ladysmith, will add 10000 more to
Cronje's ranks, if indeed they are able
to join him.
Under the circumstances it is great
mistake to imagine that the Boer re-
sistance has collapsed. II foreign eX-
perts with the Beers are listened to,
and Cronje succeeds in making his es-
cape, Bloemfontein will be evacuated
and battle will be offered the British
army in the hills before Windburg.
In Natal General Buffers troops are
still pressing forward. General Harris
brigade yesterday took possession of
Colenso, and at last reports was cross
ing the Tugela at that point. This adj
vance guard is fourteen miles by road |
from Ladysmith.
Apparently the remainder of the ar
my Of relief will soon be across the
river. The Beers have thus far not
shown themselves in any strength, and
the invasion of the Free State by Rob-
erts has evidently drawn away a large
number of men. The chances of the
early relief of Whites forces in Lady
smith seem to be good, but burghers
have shown slimness on many previous
occasions, and may be in strong posi-
ton few miles north of the river.
Some more sanguine observers say,
however, that 1t would not be surpris-
ing IL they removed their guns and
abandoned the siege and fell back to
the northern border of Natal. AS far
as dealing another blow at British
prestige, the capture of Ladysmith
would not be of great material benefit
to the Beers.
MODDER RIVER, Feb. 1s.--Al-
though the rapid march of General
French's division was marked by
number of conflicts the entry to Kim
berley was unopposed. When the Brit
ish were still eight miles off the signal
ing corps intercepted heliograph
message from the beleaguered garrison
to Modder river, saying:
THE Beers are Smelling the town"
The advance column replied: This
is General French coming to the relief
of Kimberley"
The garrison was incredulous and
flashed the query, What regiment are