The Bowbells tribune., 1900-02-23

~ tlliI 0Cu. C4oAJC CSNeipNus
Every detail received, however, shows
how admirably Lord Roberts plans
were laid and how well they succeed
ed. But for the unavoidable delay at
Dekiels drift, which was almost i'm
passable for wagons. the whole Boer
force would have. been surrounded.
The delay of one day gave them their
chance for hasty retreat.
All the other movements of llord
Roberts were executed exactly on
time Apparently Gen. Cronje is re-
treating with the main army, and
even if he escapes altogether he will
probably lose all his baggage. There
are still two things doubtful about the
capture of the British convoy. Ac-
cording to Daily Mail correspondent
with the convoy division, which con-
sisted of 200 wagons. each loaded With
5000 pounds of rations and forage.
and each drawn by sixteen oxen, it
was quite unexpectedly attacked by a
commando supposed to come from
Colesburg. The escort, consisting OF
eighty of the Gordon Highlanders,
forty men of the army service corps
and few of Kitchener's horse. main-
ained a defense until the arrival of
.einforcements, sustaining insignifi-
cant casualties.
The Standards correspondent at Ja'
,obsdal, telegraphing Thursday. says:
"An attack was made yesterday upon
The rear guard of our main body by
force Of 1,4OO Beers who We're hurried
hp from Colesberg. They succeeded
In capturing some of our wagons, but
Lord Roberts did not delay his march
to retake these. There were few
casualties on our side. The last Of
our supply columns arrived from
Honey Nest Kloof to-day, having met
with no opposition on the way"
Specials from Ladysmith report an
apparent movement on the part Of
Beers toward the Free State, presuma-
bly, with the object of assisting Gen.
Cronje. The news that Gen. Butler is
attempting another crossing of the
cugela, east of Colenso, after the cap
ture of Hlandwane hill, therefore
gives great satisfaction. Buffers
losses so far have been about twenty
wounded. His entire army, with the
exception Of Gen. Hart's brigade is
engaged in the operation. 1t is an,
pounced that the Channel squadron
instead Of going to Gibraltar, has been
ordered to remain in British waters
until March 1.
How Beers Get Supplies.
London, Feb. 2O-A dispatch from
the Swaziland border, dated Friday,
lays: The Boer agent at Bremers-
dorp, Swaziland, has been maintaining
regular communication with Delagoa
Bay via Swaziland. Two coolie car
riers have been bearing sacks supposed
to contain salt through Tongaland. On
examination it was found the sacks
contained gunpowder.'
Rumor of Cronje's Capture.
London, Feb. 20.-Rumors have been
In circulation at the clubs and else
where in London that Gen. Cronje
with an army Of 1000, has been cap
tured. Apparently they emanated from
the continent. No confirmation Of
them can be obtained here.
Beers Active Around Ladysmith.
Ladysmith, Feb. 2O.-The Beers have
been very active here during the last
few days and are evidently making a
move somewhere. The garrison is
greatly delighted to learn Of the relief
Of Kimberley; is in excellent spirits
and fit for anything.
Worked Havoc in BOer Trenches.
Chieveley, Feb. 20.-Gen. Butler has
established his headquarters on Hus-
Sar Hill. Heavy artillery firing was
maintained at intervals by both sides
from Wednesday until Friday. The
British slowly pushed the advance and
their infantry occupied intrenched
new positions at foot of Hussar Hill
with slight losses. 1t is believed lyd-
dite worked havoc in the Boer
trenches. The Beers are supposed to
have moved their big guns back over
the Tugela Friday afternoon. The
rife fire has been heavy at times. The
whole country is thicllly wooded.
Pursuing Cronje.
Lordon, Feb. 20.-The correspondent
of the Times at Modder River, wiring
yesterday, says: Gen. Cronje's army
Of 10000 men, with 100 wagons, is in
full retreat toward Bloemfontein, hot
ly pursued by Gen. Gelly-Kenny. 1t
will probably be rear guard fight all
the way. Our cavalry is in pursueit
from Kimberley"
WAGES CANNOT BE TOUCHED.