The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-12
British Advance is Within 8
Miles of KrOOnstad.
Headquarters Moved Forward
Twenty Miles Yesterday.
BOERS RETREATING.
Evacuate Outer Entertainments
as RedcOats Approach.
They Keep Roberts Men Guess
ing on Their Plans.

London, May y, 2:3O p. m-The war
office has received the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts;
"Boschrand. May II, 9:05 a nj am
eight miles south of Kroonstad. Ihe
enemy evacuated the first line of en-
trenchments during the night. We are
now accommodating towards Kroonstad-
General French's cavalry seized the
drift over the Valsch river at 4;3O last
evening, just in time to prevent passage
being opposed by the enemy"
ADVANCED 20. MILES.
London. May u. 1875 a. m.-Lord
Roberts telegraphs to the war office
under date Of Geneva Siding, May H.
evening, as follows:
My headquarters with Pole-Carew' s
division marched 20 miles today, and
are now at Geneva Siding, fourteen
miles from Kroonstad and about six
miles from Boschrand, where the Beers
ore holding entrenched positions. Cor
dons brigade is in touch with them;
fuckers division is a short distance
southeast and Hamilton'S force IS sun
further east
"Broadwood's brigade overlook a part
of the enemy's convoy yesterday at
PottEeiters laager south of eNntorsburg
and captured several wagons and some
pris 1neTs.
French with Porter's and Dickson s
brigades and Hutton's mounted infan-
try is some distance due north of this
place.
we have taken nearly 100 prisoners
during the last two days. All the Free
Staters who We're out giving a good
account of themselves have been dis
armed and allowed to return to their
farms
THE nights are getting much cooler. -
BOERS ENTRENCHING.
Geneva Siding, Friday May II, morn
ing-The British forces have arrived
here marching splendidly, General
French in the advance. Firing was
heard yesterday in the direction of his
force. Some Of the InniskillingS -hae
approached a kraal where a force 81
Beers were concealed. 1t is expected
that the railway to the sea and the
liver win be completed tonight. The
line was almost entirely destroyed NORTH
of the river, but beyond where thG
British are the Beers retreated from
their positions too hastily to do mucI
damage. The Beers are said to be en-
trenching themselves around Kroon
stad, 20 miles off.
BRITISH KEPT GUESSING.
Eden, Friday. May 1.-THE Beers re
tired somewhat today, but it is impos
sible to say where they may turn VI
next, owing to their great mobility
General Grenfen succeeded in pushing
them back near RapuishOp, while Gen
eral Brabant pushed forward in tn
direction of Brands Drift along will
General Campbell and the sixteenth bri
gade. body of Beers has appeared
at Verona on the Ladybrand road.
FACE TO FACE.
London, May 12.-Lord Roberts is noy
face to face with the BOer position a
Kroonstad and despite reports of it
strength the result of the meeting c
the opposing forces is expected to b
very similar to the outcome fOllowin
the British advance on BrandfoI-t an
the Zand river. Lord Roberts is appaI
entity keeping the federals moving ia
too quickly to give them time for ei
fective occupation of any position nea
him, and though numerous kOpjes in tn
netghborhoOd of KroOnstad afford stron
positions from which a delaying actio
may be found. it is anticipated by tn
best experts here that the Beers wi
now hurry on to the Vaal where the
viii once more attempt to stem the pas
sage Of the invading army while tn
bulk Of the federals prepare for whs
will perhaps be a decisive battle on til
ridge running east and west, southwar
of Johannesburg, where open ground
the southwark offers the defender
splendid advantage over any attackin
force.