New-York tribune., 1900-05-26
ROBERTS CLOSE TIC VAAL.
BRITISH INFANTRY THIRTY FIVE MILES
SOUTH OF RIVER.

tCopyTight; 400: BY The New-York Tribune.l
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE
London, May &C. 1 a. m.-Lord Roberts with
two divisions of infantry thirty-f1ve miles
from the Vaal River at Thursday noon with
his right wing under General Hamilton, even
nearer the river and General French with two
brigades Of cavalry well in advance and scour-
ing the district of the railway.
The press correspondents continue to describe
the Dutch retreat in contemptuous terms as the
rush of disorderly. panic stricken rabble and
probably from Aidershot point of view it
lacks the perfection of drill which Sir Redvers
Butler admired after the battle of Spion Kop
but it is effective in respect-that the guns
are always carried back out of danger and few
stragglers are left behind The Dutch burghers
are discouraged without doubt, but they are not
running like hares, nor have they been trans
formed into rabble, as the newspaper para
graphers are foolish enough TO assert. They
succeeded in taking back all the guns which
were mounted at the Rhenoster River and this
was good work when both tanks of their posi-
tion had been turned
Lord Roberts's infantry will probably reach
the railway bridge over the vaal to-day The
army advances steadily by forced marches and
the cavalry remains well in advance. Lord
Methuen is reported to be guarding the left
flank somewhere in the direction of Vredefort
but he is probably lower down stream General
Rundle, on the right flank. is at Trommel with
oiivier's commanders twelve miles away and
falling back he advances.
4 CRUCIAL TINE FOR BOERs.
is at hand. General De Wet and Commandant
Olivier not likely to hold their forces to-
gether if the Transvaal burghers cross the river
without making a final stand in the Free State
There was no official news at midnight and
Fleet Street without Information respecting
the movements of Lord Roberts's forces on
Friday. The combined Transvaal and Free
State force which was available for contesting
the passage of the Vaal is not believed to ex-
ceed twelve thousand.
General Buffers army is still confronted by
what is reported 10 be strong force at Laing's
Mex, and, unless all signs fail is holding il
there under orders from Lord Roberts The
British advance, unless checked at the Vaal will
De menacing Heidelberg in the course of few
days. and cutting off communications between
the two Transvaal armies and preventing their
Junction for the defence of johannesburg and
ffe'oiia' AS me need for concentration is
urgent, some of the keenest military critics arc
not prepared TO believe that Laing,s Mex will
be defended in strength. but suspect that this
Dutch force is rear guard which will fall back
into the Wakkerstroom district General Butler
is bringing up his guns for an attack upon
Lang's Mex
WESTERN BORDER CLEARED
The western border Of the TransvaaI has haa,
already cleared Mafeking is receiving supplies
from the north, and General Hunter is advapc-
Ing rapidly from Vryburg rorthward There
are few breaks in the railway and trains will
be running from Cape Town to Bul,;ya1,o
Dispatches from Pretoria describing President
krdger's desperate expedients for preventing an
INVASION Of the Transvaal by peace negotiattnns
cn basis Of unconditional surrender attr sct
little attention and not credited in off iol
circles. II is not believed that Mr. KRUGER will
raise the white flag while the burghers are still
wiling 10 defend their homes. Lord Roberts ia
the only peace negotiator On the British side
and complete surrender is the only basis on
winch he can accept proposals.
Fubhc interest in the war has become stag
MANI Mining operators deeply concerned in
next weeks movements against johannesburg
anu AZ the security Of the immense properties in
the soic district. The free use made of dyna
"'its on the railway south of the Vaal causes