New-York tribune., 1900-03-05
BOERS GOING NORTHWARD.
GENERALS BRABANT AND CLEMENTS
PUSHING FEDERAL FORCES BACK.
Gccpyrgf2t: 1900: by The New-York Tribune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

London March 5, l a. m.-war news at mid
night was light from every section of the field of
operations, and the silence almost unbroken
from the most interesting quarter where Lord
Roberts's new combination is forming. General
Roberts himself described the situation at Osfon-
tein unchanged. The Beers are in full retreat
from Cape Colony to Orange River. General
Clements has driven the rear guard of the en-
eny across Colesberg bridge, and is preparing to
invade the Free State. The Beers are in force
at Norval's Pont. General Brabant attacked
yesterday a force Of Dutch rebels in an in
renched position near jamestown after night
march. Stornlberg is still held by a small Boer
force, which is dwindling daily and General
Gatacre is gradually rendering their position
untenable British reinforcements have been re-
ceived, and II is probable that the entire district
south Of the Orange River will be cleared of
the enemy and pacified in the course of a few
weeks.
'LoNG TOM" ON BULWANA CAPTURED
The Central News reports that the naval bri-
gade captured the Long Tom" on top Of Bull
wana Mountain, and the other news agency re-
fers to z skirrnsh Bester's in which the
Natal mounted force met with Slight losses.
General Butler re-entered Ladysmith Friday.
Nothing is known in official circles respecting
either Lord Roberts's plan OF campaign the
destination of General Buffers force, which now
includes four divisions. It is surnised that
General Whites large cavalry force wifi be sent
to Cape Town, provided with horses and trans
ferred to French's command. and that at least
two divisions will be detached for service in the
Free State. Military men assert that the prog
ress Of General Roberts's army depends
upon an adequate supply OF horses and the or
ganization of the transport for long distance
gork.
One result Of the pacifcation Of the Dutch dis
tricts Of Cape Colony may be the purchase Of
large numbers Of horses from the farmers. But
the reTnounts sent down are believed to be utter
ly Inadequate. General Kitchener can work out
the transport problem to Pretoria If anybody
can 90 II. Letters received from officers at Cape
Town describe General Roberts the flower OF
courtesy and Kitchener as a man of business. A
s'an officer Of engineers told General Roberts
that he could do certain work assigned to him
IN the course of fortnight. 81 sure" said
General Roberts, that you will do well as
you can" General Kitchener asked the same
officer how much time he would require for the
Job "a fortnight" was the answer Kitchener
smiled grimy. Either you will do it IN a week. "
ne said. "or you will be sent home" The work
was finished in a week IT is this tireless, ex-
acting energy Of Kitcheners that is putting
Englands work through in South Africa.
EXPECT FREE SKATERS TO WEAKEN.
There no further details of the conference
OF PRESIDENTS Kriger and Steyn respecting peace
negotiations South Africans in London have
never ceased to regard President Steyn as more
oifectly responsible than President Kruger for
lhe outbreak of the war. and they assert
mai ne Will be the first TO suggest retirement
norn hopeless conflict. Steyn In their estima-
oon Is an ambitious schener without Krtger's
sturdy qualities and inflexible Will. South Afri-
cahs here confident that the Free State
iofces Will not cross the Vaal River for the de-
renee OF the South African Republic, but will
"ithdraw from the conflict and be ready TO
make peace soon their own capital is occu-
p'eo ana their territory overrun. The Ministers
naturally Will prefer to have the two republics
stano together. that each territory can be
occupied in turn and brought under military
s". In this way peace convention can be
soioeo with the political agitation which will go
"tlh t both in England and Dutch South
Ainca When Ministers like Mr. Chamberlain
-''ecast peace they doubtless have in mind the
.eiurh OF the burghers 10 their farms and the
isApoearance Of the hostile armies now in the
u aho the establishment of temporary mill
government In each capital
ocG Save the Queen" was heard in many
Continued ON third nnya