Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-05-23
Roberts Reports Having Ad-
vanced to Hong
Spruit.
TELLS OF OTHER MOVEMENTS
French Gets Into Important
Strategic Posi-
ton.

London. May 23.-The following
is from Roberts: Hong Spruit. May
22.-We marched here this morning.
Ian Hamilton reached Heilbron this
morning after series of engagements
with The Boer force under Dewet, who
is retiring before him. There were
7j casualties in Hamilton's force to
yesterday evening" The dispatch
further states that a message has been
received from Baden-Powell, at Ma
feking, dated the 18th, saying: AFTER
a small engagement yesterday with
the Beers. the northern and southern
columns marched into Mafeking at .
this morning and the relief and de-
fense forces com bined and moved out
and nearly captured Syman. took Il
gun. and large amount of ammuni-
tion. Five dead and Is wounded
Beers were found. The enemy is re-
treating in all directions"
Hong SPruit. Orange Free State,
May Z2.-French crossed the Renoster
river northwest of here. This
movement mbined with Ian Hamil-
toms occupation of Heilbron renders
the Boer position 20 miles in the Brit
ish front untenable. The latest re-
ports. however. received say the
burghers are prepared to make a
strong resistance and possess 10 guns.
Fifteen prisoners were taken today.
Capetown. May 22.-Warren occu-
pied Douglas after heavy fighting
without sustaining any loss. The
Beers retreated north.
Kimberley. May 23.-About 500
Beers surrendered ct Vrybnrg. AL
opposition in this district is practical
Is ended.
VIII Fight to IA Finish.
London. May 23.-A dispatch from
Cape Town. dated May -. says that
British troops have entered Neereeni-
pInp. north Of the Naal river and con-
seuueutly in the TranSvaal. and cap
turCl tweIhy-SrVen locomotives.
London, May 23.-Details OF the
Iucoting between the columns com
manded by Colonel Plumer and Colonel
Mahon show that aS the former rode
into MaSibiStad at sunrise on May ID
Hon Maurice Clifford. Colonel Rhodes.
Prince AdoIphus of Teck. Sir John VIII
IOughby and others rode in front with
the information that Colonel Mahon's
column was within two miles OF the
place.
London. May 23. - The 1ransyaal
government has Informed the CORE
spondents at Pretoria that II has not
considered and does not intend To CON
slider unconditional surrender. but Will
tight to Il finish. The foreign consuls
have been Informed that Johannes
burg will be defended and the gov
t-rnment announces that II Will not
hold Itself responsible for injury topper
son or property resulting from the de-
fenSe measures. Mrs. ReitZ. wife of the
Transvaal state tesecrctary. and her fam
ilv. with the families of other Off
ciaIS. have gone To IourenZo Marques.
iona nnrsburg and Pretoria are being
cleaned of uon-cOnhaJantS.
The Beer spirit has been rising from
a low ebS and is now ready for Il
steldfISt resistance. Lord Robar,s is
again moving. The British infantry
left Kroonstad Monday and head1ua~-
ters was expected n lsave yesterday.
The advance. of Lord Roberts will prob
ably be swift Ii is the expectation OF
well-iuformed observers here that the
NaaI river will be crossed by the end
of the week.
The only other war news of inter-
est j. an official report that while Col
onel Bethuue was marching in the di-
r.ction of New Castle. Natal. one Of
his battalionS OF mounted infantry was
amhuShed 10y a party Of Beers six
miles west OF Nryheid. in the Trans
VaaI. and that very few OF the force
escaped. The casualties numbered six