The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-17

organizer of a most gallant defense, but
Col. Kekewich has been a commander
second only to Baden-PoWen in re-
source and practical ability. He is a
-Devonshire man. The main episode of
the siege has been the Sortie led by Ma
5or Scott-Turner late in November The
presence Of Cecil Rhodes made the cap
ture of Kimberley an objective point OF
first Importance, but it also armed the
town with its resources, energy and cap
itaI for its defense, since he has expend-
ed fortune in providing new water
supply, strengthening the fortlhcatlOnS,
casting guns, employing natives and Sc
curing supplies Now that Kimberley
is relieved Mr.. Rhodes Sagacity in rush
ing to the defense of the diamond city
at the outbreak of the war is recognize
ed.
One feature of Lord Roberts cam
paign is the prominence which he gives
TO the colonial f9&ces. It recalls his re-
mark at the queens jubilee when he
was at the head of the colonial contin-
gents that he hoped to have them under
his command if he We're ever called up
on to take the field.
Major Brabant, who now leads
strong colonial mounted force under
Gen. French, has been d prominent fig
ure in Cape politics and founded the
South African League which took up
the Outlander's petition from johannes
burg. Major Brabant has had long eX-
perience in South African warfare and
is a Wideawake, ,brOnZed veteran. AnOth-
has honored with his confidence, is Col
Schermbrucker, the last survivor of the
once famous German legion raised for
service in the Crimea. but conveyed to
South Africa in 1856 to assist in colon
izing the eastern province of Cape Col
ony. He represents King Williams
town in the Cape parliament. Lord
Roberts has rallied the local voters for
the defense of the colonies and is MAX
ing large use of them in this campaign.
one of the effects of his work will be
the disappearance of the last traces of
BraddOckism in the attitude of the inn
periai officers toward the provincials.
Compensations nOrthward are so large
that the Dutch success in driving back
the skeleton army left behind at Coles
berg is regarded by military men here
as an affair of slight Importance.
Gen. Roberts takes the situation light
ly enough. Boer accounts describe the
capture of one line of kOpjes after an
other with heavy British losses. Five
Dutch commanders are named so that
it is clear that a large force has been
concentrated in that quarter.
Lord Roberts striking success has
caused an intense feeling of relief
throughout England. It has also spiked
the guns which Lord Rosebery and Mr..
Campbell-Bannerman have opened
upon the ministers new measure of ma
tiOial defense. Mr.. BalfOur was en-
day to this belated reinforcement of
the fault-finding press.
NO WIRE TO KIMBERLEY.
New York, Feb. 1.-THE Commercial
Gable company this morning sent out
the following notice: THE British post
office request us to cancel yesterdays
notice in regard to Kimberley.
There is no telegraDhic communica-
ton with Kimberley at present"
BOERS ATTACK MOLTENO.
London, Feb 17-2:37 p. ma spe-
cial dispatch from Sterkstrom dated to-
day says the Boers with artillery COM
menced an attack early this morning
on MOltenO, near that place, ocucpied
by troops commanded by Gen. Gatacre.
ATTEMPTS TO CUT OFF CRONJE.
London, Feb. 17.-With Cen Cronje
in full retreat and Gen. Kelley Kenny
harassing his rear hopes run high that
a decisive action will take place, if it
has not already been fought. The dis
patches from JacObSdal confirm this
belief saying Gen. Cronje has been
Obliged to outspan, in other words,
form a laager, or camp, in order to rest
his oxen. This explains Gen. Kelley
kenny's latest dispatch referring to
shelling the laager which also brought
long expected word of Gen. Kitchener's
whereabouts. That the general who so
relentlessly pursued the Khaiifa to his
doom, is supervising the pursuit of
Gen Cronje adds greatly to the con-
fdence of the nation, now SO eagerly
awaiting further news.
If Gen. Tucker, with the Seventh di-
vision, is able to effect the projected
junction with the forces of Gen. Kelley
Kenny while the Ninth division under
Gen. Colville is rapidly coming up from
the rear, the hero of Khartoum should
have a sufficient force to decisively en-
gage Gen. CrOnje and prevent him from
reaching BlOemfOntein with an effective
force. over the whole river district
there is such tremendous military ac-
tivity that it is hard to realize the
area covered or grasp the full meaning
of the movements. The Beers though
retreating from Magersfontein are ac-
tive elsewhere. A special dispatch from
Orange River dated Friday Feb. 16
says they are attempting to cut the
British line of communications at Gras
Pan, but it is said they are not likely
to effect a serious result. They are
however undoubtedly making a siren
uous effort to cut the British lines to
De Aar
On the other hand comes the news
that General Macdonald has again oc-
cupied KoodoOsberg.
What precautions Lord Roberts has
adopted against counter attacks are
not yet known, but the war office and
public are thoroughly convinced that
he is fully able to cope with all con-
tingencieS and that if it is within hui
man possibility he will inflict the defeat
on General Cronje that is so much more
important than the relief of Kimberley
brilliant as was the latter achievement.
While General Kelly-Kenny's or
AeiNAlCA GCAASA 81 LAAANAAGAAGL dispatches,
referred to the Boer rear guard as be
ing General Cronje's, it is still doubt
full if that general is personally with
it and it is possible he may be employ
Ing more than one line of retreat.
Dispatches from Cape Town announce
that enthusiastic demonstrations fol-
lowed the announcement of the relief
of Kimberley. Government house was
surrounded by huge crowds and the
British high commissioner and governor
of Cape Colony, Sir Alfred Miner, re-
ceived an ovation. The house which
Lord Roberts occupied on his arrival
at Cape Town was similarly feted: there
was parading through the city, cheer
ing for ''Bobs," flag flying and hostile
demonstrations outside the offices of
the newspapers sympathetic to the
Beers and before the residences of min
listers supposed to be in sympathy with
the burghers.