The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-02-19


be reoaened This is a success but The
more valuable resu.t-the destruction OF
part Of the Boer army-has not been
secured. II cannot be SAID IN this cir
cums,ances that this Is attributable to
weakness I'm the British generaiship
which seems TO have been excellent.
There are disqueting features IN the
news. The capture by Beers said to have
come from ColesberR OF a large Brit sh
convoy may diminish the mobility OF
the British force and is a proof OF the
Judgment and energy Of the Boer leaders.
The vigorous attack on Thine British
pos. at Rensberg shows that the Beers
mean TO reply TO Lord Roberts advance
by striking at his communications.
SPECULATION USELESS.
Unless the issue fthe ooerations
around Kimberley Is fully known. It
is useless 70 speculate on the next move
OF Lord Roberts. The fact that Kim
bereley has been relieved and that Cro-
ME has 10 make a rapid retreat are to
the good side Of the account but the
fact that Cronje has not, at any rate up
TO the date OF the latest kilograms
have seen. been weh beaten I'm a fight
is a disappointment The opinion Is
is widespread that the invasion OF the
Free State will bring the Boer army or
at least the Free State contingent. out
Of Natal. Upon this point / am less san
galne than most OF the English obser-
vers, even those whose Judgment most
deserves confidence, but thhe news OF
Roberts advance viii encourage White and
his men to pro!ong their defense"
BETRAYED THE PEOPLE,
JACOBsDALE, Feb. l5.-Lord Roberts
troops today entered this town which has
been IN possession OF the Brluisn since
yesterday. The utmost order prevails.
Military police patrol the streets but not
a stock OF furniture, not even an apple
from the trees has been taken. A sentry
has been placed before each store, and
the soldiers are allowed 10 enter and
purchase what they require. Everything
is so peaceful that the inhabitants ex-
press the utmost surprise as g.. had been
diligently reported that the British occu-
patton meant instant looting. Judging
from the conversation of the iatahdiants
the free staters are very werry OF the
war Il is openly said that President
Steyn betrayed the people. when the lat-
ter became satisfied that there was no
truth in the stories of the looting proc
Invites OF the British the townspeople
welcomed the troops as friends Since
the battle OF the Modler river the town
has ont ben garrlsoned but fas been
merely used as a hospital depot When
the Beers fired on the Br ish welhes-
day, the tOwnspeople protested. Al
though the Brltshr shelhng considerably
frightened the women the shells were di-
rected al a ridge beyond the town which
were intrenched. The German hospital
remains in beautlfua order 1t is clean
and sanitary and the wounded OF both
sides are equally we'll attended 90.
A correspondent talked with a number
OF the wounded and they an acknowl-
edged that the British movements had
non-Dlussed thA Boer commanders
Even now q Is added they are under the
impression that the sole object was the
capture OF Jac0bsdal when informed ~
the relief OF Kimberley they We're at
first iucredulous and then astounded
The Landbrost remains in town.
News reached here that the Beers are
leaving Magersfontcin anI are return
Ing In disorganized ziasses 90 ther
farms The inyasiin OF tbe free state
has undoubtedly struck hard blow
which may result In the detection Of
large ulmbecs OF tho free staters
VAAL KRATz Hold.
LONDON, Feb. liza dispatch 10 the
evening News from Lourenzo Marques
dated today says that from Boer sources
Il Is reported that the British are at
tacking he Boer position at Vaal Kratz
and that the Beers are stlll holding the
position. This report Is probably identl-
cal with the bombardment OF Blauwkratz
announced yesterday
FIGHT TO draw
LONDON, Feb. lS.--A special dispatch
from Birds river reports draw hght be-
tween Branhants horse and the Beers at
Dordecht on Feb 10. The engagement
lasted eight hours The British boss was
eight killed Boer loss unknown.
MISSING BRITIsH.
ARUNDEL. FEB. is.-The retirement
of the British from RensbuTg was most