The Topeka state journal., 1900-03-16
S 1000
ROBERTS ACTIVITY
Is Directed Toward Clearing Up
What He Has.

New York. March ia dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
Gen. Roberts is not allowing the grass
of the veldt to grow under his feet He
put three trains in notion equipping
them with engine drivers and hremen
from his own troops and sent Gen. Pole
Carew, with 1000 guardsmen and
Small body of mounted infantry south
ward. He reported in a midnight bulle-
tin that POle-CareW had reached Be
thans during the afternoon without op-
position and that the force was expect
ing to join Generals Gatacre and Glenn
ents. Gatacre has crossed the Orange
river in the morning and occupied
Bethuhe. Gen. Clements advance has
probably taken place simultaneous
ly. 1t is reported that the Dutch rear
guards are retreating from the river
with their guns from NOrValS and Beth
ulie, and it is possible that they may
be caught between the columns which
are advancing toward SpringfOntein.
Gen. Roberts has allowed three divis-
ions to halt at BiOemfOntein, but he is
not idle himself He has created the
impression that the Free State govern
ment has surrendered its capital ana
that q military government has been
substituted for it. He has kept various
municipal and state officers in opera
ton under the general supervision of
the military government. and by proc
tamation and practice is encouraging
the people Of the Free State 20 follow
AIE example OF IneIT own authorities
ana Withdraw from a hopeless struggle
lie can well afford to halt fortnight
IN the capital and try his hand at the
game of imperial politics if he can sue
ceed thereby in inducing the Free State
BOldlefS to desert their cOmmandOS and
return to their farms President Stev1
himself, since his arrival in Kroonstadt
IS issuing counter prOclamatiOns and
striving to rally his troops in defense of
the republic, but unless all SIGNS fail
MS forces TaniGIV r-ir
the field. The old order of government
mas lost its political centre with the
surrender of its capital, and a new or
der of administration has beer created
under the British flag and Lord Rob
erts' main work during the next fort
night will be one of pacifcation and re-
storatiOn of order.
He has paymasters who will buv sun
pies for an army of fifty thousand men.
ana ne also has disciplinarians who will
ENFORCE respect for private property
with gold to pay out and with soldiers
under rigorous discipline Lord Roberts
IS nkeIy to prove a successful politician
IN BlOemfOntein
II IS evident from the press dispatches
that General Roberts first work will he
the opening OF the railway southwark
70 tne orange river, and the abandon
lnent of the convoy system of su0Dlies
from Kimberley. The entire district
south Of BloemfOntein can be cleared of
the enemy in the course of a few davs
ana railway traffic restored Dis
patches from General Gatacre's head
quarters state that his patrols are in
touch with General Clements lines
westward and with Brabant's eastward
Warren's forces are not needed on
orange river and have returned to
upper Natal. Military men do not ev
peet vigorous renewal of operation bv
Sltner General Roberts or General
Buller during the next week.
French's cavalry, with fuckers divis-
lOH' may advance slowly nOrthWard in
the direction of Winburg and Kroon-
stadt, but it is not likely that there win
be serious fighting until General Eoh-
erts IS ready to cross the Vaal river ana
advance toward johannesburg and Pre-
toria. There may be reconnoissances