The Van Buren press., 1900-06-16
NEWS FRONLORD ROBERTS
His Line of Communication Has
Been Partially Restored by
Means of a Victory.
METHUEN AND KITCHENER OVER De WET.
Lord Robcrts in the Meantime At
tucked Gen, Hotha, Fifteen Miles
southeast of Pretoria, but the
stubborn Bocr stiil Held His
Ground.

lencc, Lord Roberts has been heard
from, his line of communication hav-
ing been practically restored by means
of II complete victory gained by Cen
erals Methucn and Kitchener over
Gen. De Wet at the Rhenoster river,
June L., The Boer camp was cap
tured, and the burghers, it is added,
were scattered in all directions.
How Roberts Acted.
Lord Roberts, on being notified Of
tions, sent Gen. Kitchener in all haste
| to Join Gen. Methuen. June II Lord
Roberts attacked Gen. Botha, who was
in strong force Is miles southwest of
Pretoria. After strenuous opposition,
the British troops gained considerable
ground, but Gen. Botha, when Lord
! Roberts left the field, was still unde-
| feated
| Quiet nt Pretoria and ndJOhanncsburg.
All is quiet at Pretoria and Johan-
nesburg, and Lord Roberts says the
government need have no apprehen-
sion about the security of the army in
South Africa. as it will not taken long
TO remedy the reverses and repair the
railroads.
How the British Fought Botha.
A lengthy dispatch forwarded to tho
war Office by MajGen. Knox, from
Kroonstad, presumably sent there by
messenger, reads as follows
"Kroonstad June l2 We have been re.
erts the following dispatch from the Pre-
toria resldency at sos Il. m, to-day:
Pretoria, June 12-Pretoria and Jo-
hannesburg are perfectly quiet, and sew
eral Of the inhabitants have expressed
gratitude for the peace and order which
prevail.
"'After surrendenring the city, Botha
retired to place about 10 miles east on
the Middleburg road, He had small
force at first, but during the last few
days his numbers increased, and his be-
ing so near the town kept up the excite
ment In the country, prevented the burgh-
ers from laying down their ans. and in
terfered with the collection of supplies,
It, therefore, became necessary to at
tack him, This | did yesterday. He held
u very strong position, practically .unas-
sailable IN front which enabled him to
place the main portion Of his troops on
his TANKS, which he knew, from former
experience, were his vulnerable parts
sent French with Porter's and Dixons
cavalry brigades and Hutton's mounted
infantry round by our right. Both col
umns met with great opposition. At about
three o'clock In the afternoon ! saw two
OF liamilton.s infantry battalions ad'
vancing to what appeared to be the key
OF the enemy's defense. on their left flank,
This was almost gained before dark, and
] ordered the force to bivouac on thu
ground they had won.
| 40 nj oil
| pied our center.
"'As I have explained, he could not at
tack, but he gradually advanced 50 as to
support Ian Hamilton, and when left the
field he was on the line held by the ene-
my's outposts In the morning,
49," hurried back 10 get the news Of
Methuon's movement, on hearing that
the Free Staters had taken advantage OF
our crossing tho Naal, to interrupt our line
j OF communication, ] sent Kitchener with
such troops as | could then spare to Yer
! VrcdeforD, with orders to push south
and communicate with Methuen who, |
| Knew, has u very compact force In the
vicinity of Hebron | also dispatched
special messenger to Methuen instructing
him TO push on NJ all speed to the main
line OF railway These two officers met ut
Nreport Road station In the evening OF
Juno 10. They marched yesterday to
Rhenostor river, whore Mothuon gained
q complete victory over De Wet, and took
possession OF his camp, and scattered his
marched to-day towards kroontsad.
Her majesty's government need have
no apprehension as to the security OF tho
army In South Africa. The enemy gained
u slight success, which was unfortunate,
but which Will be romedied very shortly,
and II Will not take long to repair tho
damage done TO the railway Az these d..
versions are all In existence, | am now
able to hold the line between this and
Rhonoster IN strength, Mothuon Will ar
range to guard II onward as he advances,
Hunter should be at Poatchefstroonl
to-day. He viii then move on Johannes
We have communicated with Butler,
VINO Will no doubt soon make the pros.
eneee Of his force In the field felt,
| " our lossop yesterday were not 1
trust, serious, but deplore the death Of
that gallant soldier, the earl of Alrlie.
The only other casualties reported as yet
are Seventeenth Lancers-Maj. the Hon,
Lionel Fortescue and Lieut. the Hon c.
Cavendish, both killed.
Gen. Knox adds that Kroonstnd Is
quite safe,
EminentIy satisfactory.
Lord Roberts dispatch IL regarded
as eminently satisfactory. II ends n
period OF suspense cnuscd by the cut
ting of his line Of communications and
indicates what strong grip he hus on
Tie situation.
The result Of the bnttc between
Lord Roberts forces and those Of
Gen. notha IL eagerly awaited here,
but IL 10 believed the Boer commander
viii only complete his retirement,
which he seems to have already COIN
mcnc,d, though there IL some hope
that Lord Roberts will be able to sur.
round him.
likely 10 HAVE FRr-ucnching Eject.
The decisive victory scored by Gem
erals Mcihuen and Kitchener Is 70.
Rarded NJ likely to have u more far
reaching effect thun nny recent action
IN the Orange River Colony,
Gen, kitohener's progress south, II
is believed, must have almost eQuallcd
the records Of all forced marches. His
detachment FROM headquarters wns a
merely routine procedure, as the chief
Of sinF is responsible ior the line OF
communications
HMllSr FuiAiiing Roberts Hope.
Gen. B,,iler Is rapidly fulNlling Lord
Roberts hope that he win make his
forces felt A dispatch from ioubort's
Farm, under to.day's date, announces
The continuation Of Buffers successful
march, the occupation OF Voltsrust
without opposition, und the capture OF
u number OF prisoners while the Bocr
casunltiss yesterday are reported 10
have been very heavy.