Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-17
cRONJE Is IN RETREAT
Had Two Days Start Of Brit.
ish Force.
KIMBERLEY HAS BEEN RELIEVED.
French Stayed There Over Night and
Then Began TO scour the Country
observation-disclosures Was at Jacobsdal

two, is seemingly in full retreat from
Lord Roberts, moving northward Cen
eral French, with the cavalry, simply
stayed over hight in Kimberley, and
then pushed on to get in touch with the
retiring enemy. A long Boer wagon
train is moving toward Bloemfontein,
followed presumably by a large force OF
British infantry. In their hasty de-
parture, the Beers lost quantities OF sup
plies and ammunition.
Military opinion here is thai Lord
Roberts will not push far after the Beers
Immediately, because Of the transport
problems and the need of rest for the
troops. He has to feed 10000 persons in
his army.
The following dispatch from General
Roberts fills the gaps in the earlier tiia-
patches;
"MoDDER RIVER, Feb. l6.--The Sixth
division left Waterfall drift carly yester-
day morning and marched here, going
on the same evening to Reondeval drift
to hold the crossing of the Moddcr river
and leave General French free to act.
1Shortly after arriving hero tho
mounted infantry visited Jacobsdal and
found it full Sf women and children
with four Of our wounded men, doing
well.
"On the way back the mounted in
fantry were attacked and nine men
were wounded. Colonel Henry and
Major Hatchcll and ten men were miss
ing. Both officers wore subsequently
found at Jacobsdal. slightly wounded.
"The cavalry division is moving i'll a
northerly direction, and has apparently
already reduced the pressure on Kim
bcrley, us Kekewich signals the enemy
has abandoned Acknowledgement and
that he has occupied it.
"French has advanced as fur rs Abong-
dam with slight loss and is pushing en-
the posts, his rear being held by mounted
infantry.
elements, having been pressed by
the Bocrs, has returned to Arundel to
cover Naauwpoort."
Tho war Office points out that the
word "here" in tho above dispatch
II some point OF tho Modder river
other than the Modder river station.
In the lobbies Of the house, last even.
ing, it was rumored that General Butler
had again crossed the Tugela. A special
dispatch, dated two days back, and Just
transmitted from Chieveley, says that an
important movement was then pending
there.
LONDON, Feb. ia telegram from
Portsmouth said the admiralty inquir-
les at the naval ports have resulted in
the assurance that Al additional battle.
ships, cruisers and torpedoboat destroy.
ers could forthwith hoist the pennant.
The admiralty ordered the ships in
the fleet reserve at Portsmouth tn he
f,r11rr ,yaxxya1 nd 1x-
is regarded III some quarters as prelinli-
nary to putting the whole reserve III
readiness for commissions. ~ rse
LONDON, Feb. 17.--General Roberts
sent the following dispatch:
"JACoBsDAL, Feb. l6.--I have good
reason to believe the Magersfontein
trenches have been abandoned and that
the Beers are endeavoring to escape.
General French is securing the country
north of Kimberley. One of General
Kelly y-Kenny's s brigades Of infantry is in
pursuit Of a large Boer convoy moving
toward Bloemfontein.
LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE war Office is
sued the following from Lord Roberts.
"JACoBsDAL, Feb. l6-7:45 p. m.-
Much gratifled on arrival here to find
admirable hospital arrangements made
by the German ambulance corps, under
Drs. Kaettner and Hildebrand, who,
with their staffs, have shown the great.
est kindness to our wounded as they
have to the Boer wounded. Some OF
our wounded have been here since De-
cember. Some We're brought in yester-
day"
LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE war office
made public dispatch from Field Mar
shal Lord Roberts, saying:
"JACoBsDAL, Teb. 16.-The following,
from General French, was received this
morning:
81 have completely dispersed the
memy from the southern side of KIM
berley, from Alexandersfontei to Oil
phantsfontein, and am now going to oc-
cupy their ground. Have captured the
enemy's lnager and store depot supplies,
and supplies Of ammunition. Casual
ties, about 20 of all ranks wounded.
Kimberley cheerful and well.
OUTSIDE JACoBsDAL, Orange Free
State, Feb. 1.-THE road between Mod
der river and Jacobsdal is now open.
The distance is only nine miles, The
road is available for sending reinforce
ments and supplies.
When the Beers evacuated Jacobsdal
they We're obliged TO pass over ridge
where they afforded a splendid mark
for tho british guns, which showered
shrapnel upon the retreating enemy.
Tho convoy which was attacked at
Riet river had been countermanded, but
the order did not arrive i'll timo and tho
sspo-ience was very warm one, al.
though tho Beers did little material
damage.
As General French, with the strength
ened division, pushed forward toward
Kimberley, he found the beleagucring
Beers deserting their position at Alex
andersfonteil, thus allowing portion
of the Kimberley garrison to occupy and
entrench the place.