New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-15
DUNDEE PROBABLY TAKEN.
BCLLER'S ARMY DRIVES BOERS FROM
BIGGARSBERG RANGE.
Copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.l
icy CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

ley CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London. May i. a. m.-Sir Redvers Buffers
army has been in motion since Thursday and
has succeeded in turning the Boer positions on
the Biggarsberg range. His three divisions have
been encamped since the relief of Ladysmith
east, west and south of the scene of the pro-
longed siege. with the cavalry scouts at Acton
Homes flank and at Vessels Mex beyond
Elandslaagte, the other side and with the
reserves at Pieter's Drift and Colenso. The
Beers have held the Biggarsberg range. or the
series of mountain spurs running from Tintwa
Pass toward Helpmakaar. These spurs
over 1000 feet at the highest points and the
defensive positions selected by the Beers
served the double purpose of blocking the Brit
tsh advance northward toward Glencoe and
Laing's Mex. and OF preventing passage over
the Buffalo River at Rorkes Drift and the in
Vasion Of the Nryheid District of the Transvaal
Sir Redvers Butler by stationing one division
at Elandslaagte, has seemed to be bent unon
following the railway northward although the
armchair strategists in London have persisted
in sending him westward across the Drakensberg
Hills through Van Reenen's Pass into the Free
State to cooperate with Lord Roberts His
advance has been neither north nor west but
toward Helomakaar, and in turning the Big
garsberg positions he has secured control Of the
road leading across Rorke's Drift toward Vry-
held and Utrecht
The details of this movement are confused.
The British advance began on Thursday, and
was directed against Helpmakaar, where an at
tack was made on Sunday, after long march
There was a heavy artillery fire on both sides
and the mounted men and infantry worked
around on the enemy's flank while Bethune's
Horse came up from the GreytoWn road far
as Pomeroy. Hel2makaar does not appear to
have been held by q strong Boer force, and the
FheTF TS1r14
was easily taken.
DUTCH POSITIONS EVACUATED.
Correspondents telegraphing yesterday were
profUse in their admiration of the brilliancy of
General Buffers manPuyres, but exceedingly
frugal in their explanations of the scope and
nature Of the proceedings. The effect of the
turning movement was described as a complete
emptying Of the Boer defensive positions on
the Biggarsberg upon which enormous
amount Of labor had been expended.
The occupation Of Dundee. where the first
battle Of the was fought. is confidently ex-
pected. but more important result will be the
command Of the road TO Rorke's Drift and Vry-
held This will secure an entrance into the
Transvaal by which a turning force can be
sent north TO cut off the Boer retreat from
Laing's Mex and compel the evacuation Of
Natal by the Dutch forces. The War Office
Silent al midnight, but ] received a semi-Oficial
assurance that General Buffers movement had
been completely successful, and that Dundee
had probably been occupied on Monday.
The situation al Kroonstad has remained un-
Changed Lord Roberts's ncw bulletins relate to
white flag outrage and TO a correspondence
with President Kriger respecting the treatment
ot the original prisoners There is no evil
cence that the Dutch force at Kroonsiad
ceeded 5000 men, nor is it probable that the
passage Of the Naal River VII! be contested by
more than fifteen thousand Beers. The Free
State burghers in front OF General Rundles
division still falling back.
MAFEKING CAMPAIGN SECRET
News of the relief of Mafeking is expected in
the course Of q few days. George Wyndham
animated in the House of Commons yesterday
that the garrison might already have been res
eued but the mounted force which was reported
al Fryburg st the middle Of last 'Jeek hard
iy be expected 10 reach Mafeking before May
ls, even if unmolested by the Beers. This
movement has been jealousy guarded as an
ohclal Secret too important even 10 he whis-
pereo. but the authorities in Pan Mall certainly
expect that the siege will be raised by the end
Of the week
AF. chan-beriain's speech the Australian
commonwealth bill yesterday mastery
performance. He was eloquent and sympathetic
'espectng ninety-nine points on which there
"ds no difference Of opinion. and minimiZed
WIN tact and skill the hundrecth point. on which
TIE imperial Government considers an amend
.-eAt necessary. II adroit appeal 10 the
australian Preniers rot - weaken even the
SihsA link binding the colonies 10 the mother
country but TO enable NJ. Barton and the other
oeiegates to follow the advice Of the judiciary
APPEALS TO ALL