The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-09
Lord Roberts Cables That Dom
Paul and Steyn
Were Both Present at Wednes.
days Fighting.
RALLIED THE TROOPS,
But Couldn't Hold Them Against
British Artillery.
And the Formidable Force of
Gen. French's Cavalry.

London, March 9-The war Office has
received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts:
Poplar Grove, Friday Morning-Pres-
idents Kruger and Steyn were both
present at the fight of March z and did
all in their power to rally their troops.
The rout, however. was complete, the
men declaring that they could not
stand against the British artillery and
such formidable force of cavalry"
KRUGER MAKES A SPEECH.
Pretoria, March S.-A special dispatch
from Bloemrohtein says that President
Kruger, addressing crowd of people,
said
Although Cod is testing our people
my personal opinion is that the limit of
the test is nearly reached. If the peo-
pie are sustained by faith in the time
OF adversity, God Will soon again turn
the tide in our favor. If we have strong
1atth in God, lie Will surely deliver US.
The God of deliverance of the olden
time is the same God now"
The speech of the venerable president
brought tears to the eyes of men and
women alike.
The Free States volklaad (national
anthem) was then sung.
The visit of President Kruger has
done much good and cheered the des-
pOndents. a. n -
President Kruger more recently has
visited the commands south of Bloem-
fontein. Fighting is proceeding at AIafe-
king. All the outside forts except one
have been taken by the Beers.
Much satisfaction is expressed in all
circles at the courtesies extended to
General Cronje by the British.
FRENCH FOLLOWING BOERS
London, March 9.-The Beers appear
70 have made no stand whatever, ex-
cept that while in retreat they twice
repulsed General French's cavalry with
rifle fire. As no report has been made
of the capture Of prisoners, the enemy
probably got away with their entire
force. General French is still following
them and keeping between them and
BlOemfOntein. The evacuation of the
northern districts Of Cape Colony is
now nearly complete. The British are
in possession of the railway crossings.
The military critics comment upon
the diSCOuraging news from MafekiDg.
Colonel Baden-POWen seems to be in
grave need of outside help. Otherwise
he would not allow the correspondents
to send out information respecting the
distress Of the garrison. A readjustment
of some of the higher command is TAX
ing place. General White is to go to
StOrmberg to take supreme command Of
General GataCre'S division and the
Tenth division, now in process of forma-
tion, which will be under the immediate
command of General Hunter, Sir George
Whites chief of staff
The Daily News MAKES the following
editorial announcement:
1T was rumOred in London yesterday
and we have some reason for believing
the rumOr to be correct-that the two
republics made informal and unofficial
Overtures of peace on the preceding day.
unfortunately the conditions Sug-
gested were of such a character as to
preclude the possibility of leading to
any result. Terms which might have
been gladly accepted before the war, in
order to avert it, are impossible after
the war, with all the sacrifices it has
entailed."
The Standard publishes the following
dispatch from Poplar Grove dated
March 8:
The movements of the mounted men
were somewhat too rapid for the sup
porting infantry and as a result the
Boer opposition was turned before the
main body could strike effectively. The
BOerS teu back prec1p1tately, and eX-
tending to the southeast they checked
the advance of the British cavalry with
a heavy rife. fire at 800 yards range.
Accordingly General French moved
southwark and outfanked them again,
but the Beers repeated their tactics"
DETAILS OF WEDNESDAYS FIGHT
Osfontein. Wednesday, March Lord
Roberts movement today again thor
oughly surprised, outwitted and out
maneOuvered the Beers. who fed almost
without firing a shot. The plan of bat
tie was as follows:
General Colville's division extended
along the north bank; General Tucker
held the center reserve and the guards
had the center advanced. General
kelly-Kenny's division with orders to
make a huge fianking movement on the
Beers left following General French,
who was instructed to move southeast
until opposite the Boer flank and then
TO swing around the rear. Every
movement was admirably executed and
entirely successful. The Beers were
surprised as was evident from the
state of the deserted camps. Twice the
Boer cavalry was almost in a position
to charge but they admit they were
fOiled by the manOuvering of the British
When last seen General French was
pursuing the enemy vigorously. He
was between them and Bloemfontein
about eleven miles from the right wing
General COlville merely demonstrated
against a high mountain occupied by
the Transvaal troops, who were now
fleeing. in consequence of the flight of
the Free States south of the river 1t
IS impossible at present to give the
Boer numbers, but it is estimated that
they reach 1000, all of whom are now
in flight"
In the course of the operations the
Ninth Lancers attempted to get close
to the Beers right with the object of
charging but the Beers came out in
great force and the Lancers were COM
PEELED to retire. A battery was then
sent forward to hold the enemy in
check, while the GrahamstOwn and the
volunteers and a company of mounted
infantry, supported by another battery
engaged the Beers on their right flank
The Beers fired shell. falling short
however, and they made a stubborn de-
fense on the kOpje on our right. en-
nelding the battery and killing IS of the
battery horses. The mounted infantry
gradually repelled the Beers and the
battery then took a position and expell-
ed them from their laager in confu-
sion.
The Beers held a strong position on