New-York tribune., 1900-03-17
FREE STA TER.S BREAKING UP
BUTCHERS ABANDONING STEYN AND
ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.
copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
iBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

London, March IL, a NAT the opening Of
the war Englishmen talked lightly about
promenade Of an army corps through the Free
State. and during TIE next four months they
condemned themselves with fine irony for their
boastful folly Their earliest forecast is now in
q fair way TO be fulfilled since three columns
have crossed the Orange River without firing a
shot And the Guards have gone down the rail-
way in three trains to meet them and to hunt
for the enenIy's guns. And while President
Steyn, with the Boer commanders behind him, is
hill in the field at Kroonstad and Ventersburg
and there is a guard at Brandfort Win
burg the march northward does not seem likely
80 be seriously opposed. The occupation of
Bloemfontein is q peace measure of great eff
cecy. The capital has welcomed Lord Roberts's
soldiers and is rejoicing that far as the Free
State is concerned the is virtually at an
end. The influence of the capital is felt north
and south. The forces blocking the advance of
Gataere, Brabsnt and Clements are breaking up;
the commanders in the north are thinning out
nightly from desertion. 1t does not seem i'm
probable that there Will be a promenade as far
as the Vaa River
OPENING THE ROAD SOUTH.
The details Of the concentric movement upon
springfontein coming in slowly General
Brabant was too far east to take part in it, and
ne was fully occupied in reconnoitring the enc
mys position north Of Aliwal North. General
Clements had forced the passage of the river
al Norvals Pont Thursday morning and con-
structed pontoon bridge for carrying over his
heavy guns. General GatGcre was moving for
|ard rapidly toward Springfontetn from Bethu-
lie. General Pole-Carew, with the Guards has
arrived at Springfcnteir and Is probably already
II touch with Generals Ca+acre C1aroepts
General Roberts. in his midnight report said
nothing about she Dutch rear guard. These
nave probably disbanded, and there is no obsta-
Gle to the immediate opening of railway commu-
hlcauons from Bloemfontein TO Orange River.
LORD Roberts states that two contingents of
the Free State forces are on the border of Ba-
sutoland awaiting the terms of his proclamation
before surrendering. The burghers are aban-
coming Steyn and preparing to give up their
arms and return TO their farms. The campaign
IN The Free State is virtually over
Three days later news has come from Mafek-
hg where the garrison holding out we'll on
frioay week, and had been able TO seize the
boers' advanced trench south of the town The
report that relief column has been organized
q kimberley is confirmed. 1t is recruited from
volunteers and local forces, and stifened with
regulars. General Kitchener has clearly been
a. work there, and the seizure Of Boshof is con-
Iecteo with the movement. AS there is Boer
lotce al Fourteen Streams. the column will have
severe fighting before it can cross the Vaal and
Gear the western border.
BRITISH CASUALTIES.
me casualties in the battle of Dreifontein
nave run up The losses of Lord Roberts's army
~ me hnal stage of its advance upon Bloem-
Oh'e4h 10 ofo In contrast with these slight
.Nsses with victory crowning the British arms.
lhe heaVy cost Of Methuen's and Gatacre's
1siea's al Magersfontein and Stormberg. Of
Nich ofhcial reports were gazetted last night
'heFa4 Methuen's report will revive criticism
u MS tactics. since he adheres tenacfouslv TO
S oplnion that portion Of the Black Watch
luxe al critical moment. and that there was
unfortunate retirement OF the Gordons when
enemy We're quitting their trenches Cat
report is accompanied by General Rob-
,.n eflticlsns that he ought TO have halted or
en back when ne discovered that the guides
in4sieo him. and not have risked the safety
y ais entire force
Ae brave Irish soldiers at the front have
osht something like miracle in England
- "eiis OF windsor Castle will be rung to-day
oAor OF 81 Patrick's Day The Grenadters.
80 VIII Play Irish airs on Castle Hill and all
s, sss OF The royal borough will be DISPLAYED.
az. eficK is the Queens patron saint for one
- ~ me calendar. and not only all the Irish
v.,, eiions but the West End Of London as well
1i wear the green