New-York tribune., 1900-06-14
ROBERTS HEARD FROM.
TIDINGs OF TWO BRITISH VICTORIES
AND A HOPEFUL FORECAST

Copyright; 1900 By The New-Ycrk Trbunel
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIpUNE-l
London, June IA, ! a. n.-"Bobs' has turned
UP smiling with tidings of two victories and
witl- a large supply of reassuring optimism
which is not dependent upon railway communi-
cations. His own victory won on Monday
over Botha fifteen miles east of Pretoria. The
Beers, with their fine talent for adapting them
selves to British tactics, had chosen position
with an impregnabe centre that they could
mass their forces against fanking movements.
Both ends OF their line were turned by mounted
forces under French and Hamilton. but there
hard fighting before the key Of the position
was won and the army could biyouac on the
ground which had been carried. Few COM
manders when the communications with the
base had been cut and supplies running
short would have risked engagement with
nearly the entire force an advanced line, but
Lord Roberts is bold when another general
would be cautious. He perceived that the most
practical method Of keeping Pretoria and Jo-
hannesburg quiet advance against
Botha's army.
The Earl Of Airlie who was killed in the en-
gagement, most popular Scotchman and
gallant soldier. He lived in a famous castle in
Fcrfarshire which has always had the ira
iition OF being a haunted house. The Scotch
peasantry will be looking tonight for a grim
ghost beating a drum.
The honors Of the second victory were shared by
General Methuen and General Kitchener who
had been ordered TO restore communications with
Kroonstad. They met on Sunday night at Vrede-
fort Station and broke up De VETS camp on the
Rhenoster River Monday, pushing on toward
Kroonstad. De Vets defeat was perhaps more
serious than previous reports indicated, and his
forces were scattered, but Methuens casualties
were only nineteen. Methuen's forced march
from Lindley TO Heilbron and thence to the
Rhenoster was a brilliant affair. and his victory
has gone a long way to restore his military
reputation
Lord Roberts's comments on the situation were
meant for the public. and the War Office has not
suppressed them, although the direction and
movement Of the columns are indicated.
Methuen viii go up the railway across the
Yaal, protecting the line and leaving behind
strong details TO guard it against a second
counterstroke Hunters division will move from
Potchefstroon to johannesburg.
Operations in the Transvaal have not been in
terrupted by De Vets raid and will be
tinued vigorously. General Butler has received
orders from General Roberts which are not re-
vealed but can readily be forecast. One division
viii probably be required for guarding Laings
Mex and the communications. but the remaining
two are available for operations in the Free
State from Standerton against Vrede. With
Butler in the north and Rundle in the south.
Vrede. Frankfort Bethlehem and Harrisrnith
ought speedily TO be occupied and the Free State
commanders hunted down. De Wet in retiring
eastward may make an effort to capture the
garrison al Lindey, but with the vastly superior
British force against him he will be a great
general if he can maintain unequal a strug
gle There is no decisive news from Rumble and
the only casualty list is from Butler.