The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-16

termed relieved till it is feasible to take
provisions there.
The rapidity Of Gen. Frenchs march
indicates that he was unable to do this
and whether he left his lines behind him
open, is only matter of surnise- 1t is
most probable that Lord Roberts
and Gen. F'rench's brilliant tactical sue
cess for such it is under any circum-
stances resembles the first relief of
Lucknow, when the dispersal of the en-
emy's force was by no means immedl-
ately affected.
Another remarkable feature of Lord
Roberts laconic cablegram, is the fact
that it is dated at Jacobsdal, which was
Gen. Cronje's advance base of supplies.
Yet there is no word of any opposition
which he or Gen. French encountered.
Had Lord Roberts inflicted a decisive
defeat on the Beers it is believed he
would have mentioned it, as such a sue
cess would be greatly paramount to The
relief of Kimberley or the throwing m
to that place of a. garrison which could
assure it holding out. However, Gen.
French's entry into Kimberley, has been
effected and doubtless brings joy to the
hearts of those who have been shut I'D
in the city for 122 days The defenders
number about 1000 while Gen. French's
force is estimated at between 5000 and
5000 men.
The sixth and seventh divisions have
already crossed the river and are prob
ably with Lord Roberts at Jacobsdal.
What has happened to Gen. Cronje and
the whereabouts of his forces puzzles
the experts.
dispatch from Cape Town, dated
Wednesday, February IA, received this
morning, says:
THE Beers are leaving Magersfontein
to reinforce other positions. 1t is eSti-
mated that between 1000 and 10000 men
remain there"
Lord Roberts wide turning move
ment via JacobsdaI may have cut off
these troops from BIoemfontein but
WhilR the british fOrppG
ing to intercept the Boer communica
tions, there is a parallel Boer column
trying to cut off the British lines to De
Aar and it is apparently meeting with
some success, though later dispatches
referring to Gen. Clements retirement
to Arundel say the movement was un-
dertaken for strategic purposes and
that during the course of the march the
Beers were driven off by a heavy fire,
the Inniskillings charging brilliantly
Burghers.
A Boer dispatch from Lorenzo Mar
QueZ dated Thursday, February Is, says
the initial attack on Colesberg Feb. u
resulted in a federal loss of nine men
killed, fourteen wounded and five pris-
oners. The British, it is added, were
driven out of their camp and one of
their MaximS We're captured
The news of Gen. French's entry into
Kimberley was received on the stock
exchange here today with rousing
ated. but a satisfactory strong under
tone ~revailed. De Beers rose rs, but
subsequently fell IA on a Paris rumor
that Gen. French had merely fallen in
to a Boer trap. The dispatch referring
to the condition of Ladysmith is re-
garded as reassuring.
There is no further word from Gen.
Butler and nothing startling is expected
to occur in Natal in the immediate fu-
ture.
According to dispatch from Chieve-
ley dated Wednesday, Feb. A. it has
been ascertained that the British artil-
lery during last weeks fighting rem
dered two large Boer guns and one Nor
denfeldt ineffective.
Sterkstrom dispatch of Wednesday,
February IA, says that Col. Eagar, who
was wounded and captured at Storm
berg, died February 13. The Beers
turned his body over to the British at
Molteno.