The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-18
Fighting on the TugHla Renewed
by the Troops Under Butler.
THE BOERs ARE RETREATING
They Are Nervous and Uncertain
About Entering ZululaHd and
Have Stayed Their Advance.

LONDON. Feb. l7.--With' General
cronje In full retreat and General Kel-
ly-Kenny harassing his rear, hopes run
high that a decisive action will occur.
II II has not already been fought The
dispatches from Jacobsdal confirm this
belief. saying that General Cronje has
been obliged to "outspan," in other
words, form laager or camp. in order
to rest his oxen.
This explains KeIly-Kennys latest
dispatch referring to the shelling Of the
laager. which also brought the long ex-
pected word OF Kitchener's whersa-
bouts. That the general who so relent-
lessly pursued the Khalifa TO his doom
is supervising the pursuit OF Cronje,
adds greatly to the confidence Of the
nation. so eagerly waiting further
news. n General Tucker. with the
Seventh division. Is able TO effect the
projected junction with the forces OF
Kelly Kenny. while the Ninth division.
under General colville. is rapidly COM
ing up from the rear, the hero of
Khartoum should have sufficient force
decislvely to engage cronje and pre-
vent him from seaehing Bloemfontein
with IN effective force.
In the whole Modder district there
Is such tremendous military activity
that II Is hard to realize the area COW
cred or grasp the full meaning Of the
movements. The Beers, though re-
treating from Magersfontein. are ac-
tive elsewhere. A special dispatch
from Orange river, dated Friday. says
they are attempting to cut the British
line Of communications at Graspan. but
il is said they are not likely to effect
serious results. They are, however. un-
doubtedly making strenuous effort tc
cut the British line to De Aar. On
the other hand comes the news that
General Macdonald has again occupied
Koodoosberg.
What precautions Roberts has taken
known. but the war office and public
are thoroughly convinced that he is
fully able to cope with all contingen.
cies, and that il il is within human
possibility he viii infiict the defeat or
Cronje that is so much more important
than the relief of Kimberley, brilliant
as was the latter achievement. While
Kelly Kenny's, or Kitchner's, dispatch
referred to the Boer rear-guard as be
ing Cronje's, il is still doubtful If thai
general is personally with it, and 1t is
possible he may be employing more
than one line of retreat
The reported capture OF a large lint
of British convoy by the Beers is stil
not mentioned.
There is no news of Importance from
elsewhere at the seat of war. Dis
patches from Cape Town announc
that an enthusiastic demonstration fol
lowed the announcement of the relic
of Kimberley The government hous
was surrounded by large crowds, an
I the British high commissioner and gov
ernor of Cape Colony. Sir Alfred Mil
ner, received an ovation. The relief o
I Kimberley was similarly celebrated /
other towns of Cape Colony.
The first unit of the special corps Q
yeomanry. called the Duke Of Cam
bridges Own. left London this morning
/ to embark at Southampton for Sout
Africa. The corps is composed entlrel
of men of good social positions. Lor
Abinger wears corporars stripes, Will
Lord Ayleshury's son is a trooper. Fac
man had to pay e20 for the privileg
/ of joining, the money going to purchas
their outfits, while their pay is do
/ mated to fund for the relief OF wild
ows and children of killed soldiers. I'M
mense crowds ovated the gentleman
rankers." as they are termed, on thei
way to the station, and the train start
ed amid remarkable scenes of enthus
ism. The Duke of Cambridge ant
other titled personages went to South
ampton to bid the yeomanry farewell
Roberts reports the British casualtie
during the fighting at Jacobsdal, a
follows: One killed. fourteen wounde'
and three missing.