New-York tribune., 1900-05-09
CAVALRY STILL PUSH on.
HIGHLAND BRIGADE HOLDS WINBURGr
BOERS RETIRE TO HILLS
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribunel
[BY cABLE TO THE IRIBUNE.l

[BY TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London May O. a. rn-Lord Roberts's
mounted force reached on Monday night Welge-
legen Station, sixteen miles north of Smaldeel
where the left wing had halted while the engi
neers We're repairing the railway. A reconnois-
sance was extended yesterday to the Zand River
where the enemy found in force. The High
land Brigade holds Winburg and Lord Roberts
and General Hamilton have met for consulta-
ton. The cavalry has also reconnoitred TO the
Zand River. and three divisions Of infantry and
z strong body of cavalry are now messed be-
tween Smaldeel and Winburg and the Zand
River.
The Beers are preparing to make stand on
the high hills between Ventersburg and Senekal
The railway has been seriously damaged and
there viii be delay in setting the transport
vice TO rights.
General Brabant has joined General Rumble at
Thaba Nchu, and the Beers have disappeared
from the eastern flank They still remain in
considerable force in the Ladybrand district and
viii he prepared to renew their raiding opera
tions against Lord Robertss line of communica-
tione. The Commander in Chief has preferred
70 take the risks of this method Of warfare
rather than to waste time in thoroughly clearing
the eastern district.
SORE DISTRESS IN MAFEkING.
General Hunters division has occupied Four
teen Streams without opposition. and unless his
column be diverted 10 the northeast is in a
position 10 advance in earnest toward Mafeking.
A supplementary budget OF dispatches from
Mafeking creates a strong impression that the
relief column cannot be too Jealous in pushing
On. The best chance for 2 rescue OF the garri-
son lies in Lord Roberts's advance north
ward since this prevents the massing of the
Boer forces against General Hunters column.
Colonel Baden-Powelrs message 10 Lord Rob-
erts on April - is full Of pluck, but the rations
are scant after a siege Of two hundred days, and
the Beers have evidently been reinforced and
viii probably make a more determined assault
than the one which Colonel Baden-Powell de-
scrbes.
Lord Roherts's midnight report gives full
credit to General Paget for cooperating ably
with General Barton in the attack Upon the
Boer position az Fourteen Streams. The artil-
lery fire was massed upon the trenches. and the
Beers were compelled to retire with precipi-
tate haste
The general situation is favorable for the
British side. especially as the horses appear to
be in excellent condition the Zand River, and
Lord Roberts has succeeded in mounting
very large force.
RAMIITON's LOSSES NOT KNOWN.
No adequate account has yet appeared of Cen
eraI Hamnton's battle on Friday and his casu-
The extent Of the concentration Of the British
forces is carefully concealed. but with the rail-
way in operation 10 Smaldeel two or three extra
divisions can be sent up when needed
No official Information can be obtained re-
specting The Evening Standards announce
naent that Lord Roberts has been warned Of a
plot TO assassinate him. and exchange Of tele-
grams between the Cape authorities and the
home Government on this subject seems most
unlikely Lord Roberts himself has referred to
the discovery by a West Australian soldier that
charges Of a high explosive were placed under
the rails and that the track was undermined
at distances Of few hundred yards
Dispatches from Pretoria. where the Volks-
raad has met indicate that President KRUGER
IS satisfied with the operation Of the mines and
with the financial condition Of the Dutch re
pubcs Nearly every German steamer takes
out gold for Europe.
Commandant Prinsloo has been sentenced TO
nine months Imprisonment for treason, but de-
tails Of this strange affair have not reached
London
THE EXPLOSION AT PRETORIA.
President KRUGER is reported to have eX-
claimed Is there a God?" when the news Of the
arsenal explosion was told to him. Details OF
this explosion show that the loss OF life was
much greater than the first reports indicated
Colonel Kekewichs report on the siege of Kim
AWNINGS AND SLIP COVERS.
.s/as,r me- he