The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-17
JUBILATION WITHIN BOUNDS.
British Rejoice But They Yearn for
Crushing Defeat.

u
London, Feb 16. las p m.-while there
is tremendous jubilation here at Field
Marshal Lord Roberts and Gen. French's
success. those best suited to Judge the
situation are inclined the opinion that
pending more definite information, the
news had better be regarded as assuring
rather than as accomplishing the relief
of the beleaguered city of Kimberley
A careful study of the ambiguity of the
wording of Lord Roberts dispatch leads
to the belief that the actual relief of the
place is still a matter of time. Kimber-
ley, it is pointed out, can scarcely be term
ed relieved until 1t Is feasible to take pro-
visions there.
The rapidly of Gen. Frenchs march in
dicates that he was unable to do this, and
whether he left his lines behind him open
is only a matter of surmise.
1t is considered most probable that Lord
Roberts and Gen. French's brilliant tao
teal success, for such it is under any cir
cumstances, resembles the first relief of
Lucknow, when the dispersal of the enc
my's forces was by no means immediate
ly effected.
Another remarkable feature of Lord
Roberts laconic cablegrain is the fact that
it is dated at Jacobsdai, which was Gen.
Cronje's advance base of supplies; yet
there is no word explaining the British
commanders presence there, nor word of
any opposition, which Gen. French en-
countered.
Want a DECISIVE Defeat.
Had Lord Roberts inflicted a decisive de-
feat on the Beers, it is believed he would
have mentioned IL, as such a success
would be greatly paramount to the relief
of Kimberley, or the throwing into that
place of a garrison which could assure 1t
holding out. However, Gen. French's en-
try into Kimberley has been effected, and
doubtless brings joy 10 the hearts of those
who have been shut up in the city for 122
days Their defenders number about 1900,
while Gen French's force is estimated
at between 5000 and 5000 men.
The Sixth and Seventh Divisions have
already crossed the river, and are prob
ably with Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.
What has happened to Gen. Cronje and
the wherea bouts of his forces puzzles the
experts.
Beers at Magersfontcin.
A dispatch from Cape Town, dated
Wednesday, Feb Ia, received this morning,
says:
1.-THE Beers are leaving Magersfontein
to reinforce other positions. 1t is esti-
mated that between 1000 and 10000 men
remain there"
Lord Roberts wide turning movement,
via Jacobsdal, may have cut off these
troops from Bloemfontein. But, while the
British forces are endeaVoring to intercept
the Boer communications, there Is a par
alel Boer column trying to cut off the
British lines to DeAar, and Ii is apparent
ly meeting with some success, though lat
er dispatches, referring to Gen. Clements
retirement to Arundel, say the movement
was undertaken for strategic purposes,
and that during the course of the march
the Beers were driven off by heavy fire,
the Enniskillens charging brilliantly and
inhicting great loss upon the burghers
A Boer dispatch from Lorenzo Marquee,
dated Thursday, Feb. 15 says the initial
attack on Colesberg, Feb. II. resulted in
federal loss of nine men killed fourteen
wounded and FIVE prisoners. The British,
1t is added, were driven out of their
camp and one of their Maxims was cap
tured.
News on stock Exchange.
Inc news OF zen. frenchs entry into
Kimberley was received on the Stock Elk
change here with rousing cheers. No
boom in stocks was created, but a salts
factory undertone prevailed DeBeers
rose 1M, but subsequently fell ~ on
Paris rurmor that Gen. French had merely
fallen into a Boer trap.
According to a dispatch from Chieveley,
dated Wednesday, Feb. H. 1t has been as
certained that the British artillery during
last weeks fighting rendered two large
Boer guns and one NordenfeIdt ineffec-
tive
A Stergstroem dispatch of Wednesday,
Feb. IA, says that Col Eager who was
naN,rr STEP ON A nan