New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-12
REVERSE FOR BRITISH ARMS.
SUCCESSFUL BOER RAIDS IN THE FREE
STATE-BULLER MOVES WEST.

Copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London. June L.. l a. m,-Bad news from the
Free State oozes out slowly from the War Of
fee The line of communications was cut on
Wednesday, the day after Lord Roberts entered
Pretoria but the fact not admitted until
Saturday nor the truth revealed until yester-
day that there had been severe fighting at
Roodeval and that the militia battalion OF the
Derbyshire regiment and other details had been
taken prisoners. These details were guarding
the railway where the Boer raiders struck the
line Of communications, and their casualties
were severe. about hundred being killed and
wounded. So far as reported. the defence of the
militia clearly vigorous. but the force was
outnumbered, and the Beers Were enabled to
destroy the railway for over twenty miles.
Lord Methuen, after reaching Lindley by
& forced march from the railway, left a garrison
there, and headed for Heilbron 70 join General
Colvile, but was fighting with Boer force on
Thursday within miles Of his destination.
Whether this force was returning from Rhode
val with its prisoners, or was an auxiliary col
ann lowering about Heilbron. is uncertain. Ap-
parently the raiding column remained on the
railway for several days. for a casualty list
reached General Knox, at Kroonstad, under
flag OF truce General Kelly Kenny has or
dered General Knox 10 go north. but the direc-
ton taken by the raiding forces, whether east
Or south, is not known at Bloemfontein.
General Pagets garrison at Lindley would ap
pear TO be in imminent danger. although no
references are made TO it in the dispatches.
This unfavorable news has caused keen dsap-
pointment in military circles here. but there is
no disposition on the part of well Informed men
to censure Lord Roberts He took the risk Of
having his line broken when he pushed on to
Pretoria by forced marches, and the results OBJ
tained have justified his course, even if his
army be compelled 10 live off the country until
order can be restored along the railway.
The Free State forces have delivered ef-
tective counterstroke and have taken over
thousand prisoners at Lindley and Rhodeval.
They have thrown the British campaign into
disorder by their brilliant strategy, and have
learned by experience how much mischief they
can cause by harassing the British line of COM
nunications.
Lord Roberts's plan Of campaign massed the
mounted force the front for series OF
springs toward Pretoria, and left Generals Run
5le Brabrant, Methuen and Colvile on the east
ern flank TO keep the Free State forces away
from the line of communications. 1t has car
red him TO Pretoria. but has exposed the rail-
way line TO temporary interruption, and has
given 10 General De Wet two successful hauls
IF prisoners in his net. The British forces will
be massed against the Free State commandoes
as soon as Lord Roberts regains control Of the
wires
Sir Redvers Butler, after attempting to coax
General Botha's forces into surrender, when
they were not surrounded, and reporting that
Laing's Mex was untenable, has led the bulk or
his army through Botha's Pass, fifteen miles to
the west. and is apparently seeking to cut off
the retreat Of the Beers BY working around the
tunnel through a difficult country toward NolKs-
rust This operation has not yet been com
pleted, but the evacuation Of Laings Mex Is
probable. This Will leave General Butler at I'D
erty TO advance toward Standerton, and to open
second line Of communication with Pretoria
General Hunters progress in the western Pail
IF the Transvaa1 is satisfactory.
Politics at Cape Town is in a ferment over
Mr. Schreiner's measure for disfranchisement OF
the rebels and a possible Ministerial crisis
The most reassuring intelligence at midnight
the Central News report from Pretoria
that $3.50 British prisoners, including lou OH
oers, were rescued at Waterfall, and that only
90 had been taken east by the Beers