Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-05-24
BOERS HARD PRESSED
OCCUPATION OF kRoONsTAD
BY ROBERTS ARMY.
British Now Practically in Possession
of the Orange Free State-Bulier
Routs Burgher Force and Takes De-
fensive Positions on the Biggarsberg.

AS result of his carefully planned and
rapidly executed maneuyers in the last
week Lord Roberts on Saturday was able
to announce that he had taken possession
of Kroonstad, and the British public,
which worried at his delay at Bloemfon-
tein, may well conclude that his irritat-
ing elaboration has been justified by the
results. The first week of the present
month saw Lord Roberts force advanced
one-fourth of the distance toward Pre-
toria; the second week sees him cover an
other great stride on the road to the
Transvaal capital. So far as is shown in
the cabled reports the Beers have en-
ployed their usual tactics. They have
made but show Of resistance, steadily
retreating rather than sustain an actual
defeat, and always evading the British
generals efforts to encircle their position.
The comparative ease with which Rob
erts has been allowed to make his adj
vance correspondents ascribe to the fact
that his force, greatly superior in NUM-
bers, has been able at each contested
point to oppose to the burghers line SO
much longer than their own as to men
ace them on the flank in spite of their
marvellous mobility.
The occupation of Kroonstad seems to
put the British practically in possession
of the Orange Free State. There is still
a considerable force, it is understood, up
on the right Of the British line, and it is
not at all certain that bands of Beers
may not continue for some time to operate
in the east and southeast of the repub-
lie. The main force of the Boer army,
however, it seems, is falling back rapidly
toward the Naal river. At that stream
or in the country to the north-a country
admirably adapted to Boer methods of
defense-the last desperate struggles of
the war are to be expected. Up to the
present the Boer forces have succeeded in
getting away with comparatively little
loss, and unless the temper of the burg
hers has suddenly changed it is hardly
believed that in failing to make decisive
stand up to date they have not been act
ing in accordance with a definite policy
designed to give them the opportunity to
select their own battlefield for the final
encounter The British public will be
cautious in accepting stories of 'paci6ca-
ton among the Free Staters. Hereto
fore, it win be remembered, a rapid adj
vance on the part of the British either
needed recuperation or some uncomforta-
bly, brilliant strategic maneuyers on the
part of the Beers.
London military critics expect that
Lord Roberts will push forward toward
the Vaal river without much delay. The
British troops are reported to be in ex-
cellent condition, despite the rapid march,
ing and hard fighting of the past fort
night. They are eager to attack the
Transvaalers on their own soil. 1t is
expected that heavy fighting will take
place on the Vaal, unless Lord Roberts,
having advantage Of very broad front,
succeeds in finding an undefended cross
ing for considerable section of his ar
my.
Gen. Buffers advance commenced
Thursday, when he left Ladysmith in
strength. When within two miles of
Helpmakaar the Beers opened heavy
artillery fire and the British guns replied,
while portion of Buffers troops worked
round the Boer TANKS. The British at
tack was pressed home Sunday. Bethune,
on the right outflanked the Beers. whose
splendid defensive positions on the Big
garsberg were practically taken. Gen.
Buffers march subsequent to the attack
was carried out without hitch.
1t is reported that Gen. French is al
ready moving northward, along the Free
State Railway. Gen. Rumble and Gen.
Brabant have assumed the offensive In
the Thabanchu region and seem to be
driving the Beers before them toward
Ficksburg.