The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-14

Roberts to Get Through-Boer
Score Marked Success In the
Rensberg LocaIity-Gen. Clem.
ents' Command Forced Back.
LONDON, Feb. 14.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Rensberg, dated yes
terday. says:
Ihere has been hard fighting for two
days near Colesberg, the Beers making
strenuous efforts to outflank the British
there The enemy occupies strong posi-
mons from Achtereang, through Potion
tein, to point five miles south of Jas.
fonteir
The fighting at our outpost camps has
been very severe during the last few
days. Yesterday the Beers attacked the
position of the Worcestershires to the
south of Colesberg Fighting continued
all day, and after dark it was considered
necessary to withdraw to Rensberg. Our
losses are not yet known. On the left
the West Australians, Wiltshires and
Berkshires had hot fighting, but held
their positions against long odds. The
Boer losses were considerable
Owing to the growing difficulty ex-
perienced by conveys in reaching the
camps, all Of the latter were vacated last
night, and the troops withdrew to Rens-
berg.
THE Beers are burning the farms Of
the loyalists, but the latter have con-
trived to get away with their stock"
GLOOMY FOR BRITONs. F..
The enforced retirement of the British
from the Colesberg district, and probably
under heavy loss, is the news this morn
Ing. And thus at the time Lord Roberts
is about to make an attack on the Free
State the Beers make a dash in an un-
known force, not far from the vital line
of communication at De Aar and Orange
river This may not be serious setback.
Nevertheless, this news produces an un-
pleasant effect here. Gen. French met
reverse at the hands of the Beers Ii,
December. On Jan. l 1t was announced
that he could take Colesberg with slight
addition to his own force These were
sent, but at the same time the Beers were
reinforced. The British lines had, been
extended east and west, SO at the opening
of the week they constituted a great
horseshoe, twenty-five miles in length
The lines were not continuous, but all
the strong points were held.
CLEMENTS DRIVEN BACK.
Gen. French, when he Joined Lord Rob-
erts, presumably took most of his cav
airy force, and Gen. Clements was left
with the infantry to hold the Beers in
check. Commandant Delerry, with
double turning movement, has compelled
Clements to concentrate at Colesberg, be-
sides threatening Lord Roberts mmuni-
cation. The Beers mastery of the dis
trict has caused fear of Dutch rebellion,
but this, no doubt, will be promptly sup
pressed, as large British forces are avail
able not far away.
Lord Roberts is evidently preparing for
advance One informant, who has inti-
mate relations with the war office, ant.ci-
pates no movement within the next day
or two,> as number of correspondents
who have been with Gen. Butler have
gone to Durham for a few days rest, un-
der the impression that nothing viii be-
done for day or two.
MAFEKING GARRISON GAME.
An undated dispatch from Mafeking,
via Gaberones, Feb. 2, says:
"Col. Baden Powell has received a
communication from Lord Roberts
promising that relief would be sent in
a few weeks. The food will last. The
garrison is as game as ever. The Beers
have expressed their intention not to
fight, but to starve US out. All well.
BRITISH CASUALTIES.
A revised list Of the British casualties
at Potgieter's Drift, from Feb 5 to Feb.
y -I,o od e.. tod O. ,,,ico
ing, 5.
A private telegram received here says
that the force commanded by Gen.
Wood has moved up from the southwark
and seized Zoutpan's Drift, which it now
holds.
The war office has posted a dispatch
from Col. Kekewich, dated Sunday, Feb.
II, to the effect that Kimberley was bonn
barded throughout Thursday, Feb s.
During the morning Of Feb small in
fantry engagement, lasting two hours,
occurred at Alexandersfontein. The site
uation otherwise is unchanged.
BULLER AT CHIEvELEY.
The fact that Gen. Buffers dispatch
revising the casualties to the British
troops at Potgieter's Drift is dated from
Chieveley Is taken In some quarters as
an indication that Gen. Butler has re-
moved his headquarters to that place,
There Is nothing to indicate whether or
not he left any large force at Springfield.
BoERS FIVE TO ONE.
RENSBERG, Feb. 1S.-Yesterday's re-
tirement of the Western outposts in
cluded the Withdrawal from Coles kop
and all the surrounding posts. The
Beers placed a forty-pounder at Bas>
tard's Mex. commanding the surrounding
country, and successfully shelled the
British positions. The Beers numbered
some thousands and were five to ona
wherever fighting occurred. The Brit
ish are chafng under the necessity or
a retreat from their posts. some or
which they had held since the new year,
The British now have no camp west or
Rensberg They safely brought off the
guns from Coles kop.
The Beers are actively pressing around
Rensberg The British force under
Lieut.. Col. Page, consisting of sec>
tion of artillery and $50 horses, which
reached Slingersfontein Feb. 10, has been
compelled to fall back on Rensberg, ow-
ing to It's eastern flank being threatened.
CORRESPONDENT VISITS BoERs.
RENsBERG. Feb. 13.-An Australian
newspaper correspondent, Mr.. Reay,
paid an interesting visit to the Boer
camp Sunday. to make inquiries as to
the fate of his missing colleagues, Mr.