The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-02
commanders have cotton safely away
with the transport.

1t is true that Lord Roberts dis
patch leaves much unsaid as to the
whereabouts of other forces than
those of Gen French and Gen Rumble
Nothing is said about the troops of
Gems Brabant. Pole Carew, Hart and
Chernside, but the indications from
Allwal North show that several small
commanders are still lowering in the
vicinity of Springfield. causing
certain amount of danger. and the
advices from Dewet's Dorp. outlining
the duties Of Gen Chermside, Justify
the conclusion that it will be still
necessary to employ a considerable
6ady OF troops to keep the Free
State clear of Beers.
The position is that the Beers who
began their raid month ago by com
pelling Col Broadwood to retire to
BIoemfontein, have cotton safely
away to the northward, practically y
without loss. but with the advantage
OF seven guns, together with hun.
dred prisoners captured
Meanwhile, the advance to Pre-
toria has not begun Small wonder
is it that muffled complaints and
criticisms arc beginning to be heard
here and there against Lord Roberts
Two thirds of his entire force have
been employed in effecting this
small satisfaction, and the probability
10 that the whole force must be again
concentrated on 'Bloemfontein before
the main advance begins Az similar
raids on the British communications
Pare likely to be repeated it is eviden.
tly still far cry to Pretoria.
The significenc of Gen Hunters
division going to Kimberly, where
mounted troops are also arriving
daily, is now said to be a serious
attempt to deal with the strong Boer
forces on the Vaal river, now threat
eniug to retake Barkley and then en-.
desvor to relieve Mafeking. 1t will
be borne In mind that Gen Hunter
paid hurried visit to Lord Boberts
at Bloern!o ntein
A temporary railway bridge has
just been completed at Bethulie,
where hitherto railway trucks had
been transferred over the wagon
brid &c. This will greatly facilitate
getting stores up to Bloemfontein
Mr. Poultney Bigeiow. discussing
the treatment of South African rebels,
says that the wisdom of the United
States government in not Furnishing
the Confederstes after the war OF
secession has borne good fruit, and
be suggests that q similar result
would follow a similarly liberal policy
in South Africa.
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
the Morning Post, teIegrsphing
Thursday, says: "Most satisfactory
progress has been made in the accu-
mutation OF stores during the present
week. Supply park now presents a
respectable appearance. The pros
poets of general advance are more
favorable /"
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
the Times. telegrsphing Thursday.
Gays There appears to be little
chance Of infictiug effective punish
ment on the retreating Beers Com.
mandant General Louis Botha who
arrived at Dewet's dorp Monday
realized the situation at once and
ordered the immediate withdrawal of
the Beers both from there and from
Wepener
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
the Chronicle, telegraphing Thurs.
day. says: The latest reports show
that the Beers passed east of Thaba
NChu. when going north A pris.
oner reports that a commando which
doubled back on the pursuing British
is now making it's way west in the
direction of Leeuw kop"
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
the Daily Telegraph, under Thurs.
day date, says "The Beers who
retreated from Dewet's dorp kept
we'll ahead of Gen French's cavalry
Unless the enemy should make q
stand at Xroonstad Lord Roberts will
rapidly cross the Vaal river"
Other Bloemfontein dispatches
throw interesting points of light upon
the situation. One special says {:
"Seven hundred aud fit.y wagons of
. Boer heavy transport train have
reached Kroonstad from the south.
Only light wagons have been left
behind. The Beers have organized
a specially mounted corps for forag
ing and other work requiring special
mobility"
Another dispatch reports that be.
fore the Beers were driven from
Dewet's dorp about 1000 of them
bad haan alomlu rafir;no. Aona.l