The sun., 1900-02-17

|
and whether he left his lines behind him
open is only matter of surmse.
1t is considered most probable that Lord
Roberts and General Frcnchs brilliant
tactical success-for such it is under any
circumstances resembles the first relief
Of Lucknow, when the dispersal of the
| enemy's forces was by no means immedi-
ately effected.
Sent From Cronje's Ease.
Another remarkable feature of Lord
/ Roberts laconic cablegram is the fact
| that it is dated from Jacobsdal, which
was General Cronje's advance base of
supplies. Yet there is no word explain
ing the British commanders presence
| there nor word of any opposition which
ne or General French encountered. Had
Lord Roberts inflicted a decisive defeat
| ON the Beers it is believed he would have
| mentioned it, as such success would be
| greatly paramount to the relief of Kim
berley or throwing into that place gar
rison which could assure it holding out.
However, General Frenchs entry into
Kimberley has been effected and doubt
less brings joy to the hearts of those who
have been shut up in the city for 122
days Their defenders number about
4,000 while General Frenchs force is
estimated at between G,000 and 5000
men, The Sixth and Seventh divisions
have already crossed the river and are
probably with Lord Roberts at Jacobs
dal. What has happened to General
CfonJe and the whereabouts of his forces
puzzle the experts. A dispatch from
Cape Town, dated Wednesday, Feb. IA,
says:
THE Beers are leaving AIagersfontcin
to re-enforce other positions. 1t is esti |
mated that between 1000 and 1O,OO0l
men remain there"
Lord Roberts wide, turning movement. |
via Jacobsdal, may have cut off these
troops from Bloemfontein. But while |
the British forces are endeayoring to in
tercept the Beers communications there
is parallel Boer column trying to cur
off the British lines to De Aar and ii is
apparently meeting with some success.
though later dispatches referring to Gen
eral Clements retirement to Arundel say
the movement was undertaken for stra-
teSlc purposes and that during the course
or the march the Beers were driven off
NJ heavY fire, the Enniskillens charg-
ing brilliantly and inhicting great loss on
the burghers.
story of French's March,
A dispatch from Riet river, Orange
Free State, dated Feb. II says.
"tienernl French. in command of the
cavalry division and with strong force
u horse artillery. left Modder river Sun.
lay morning for Rambam. IL miles east 5
y Enslin, where the whole division CON {
'ehtrated. The next day he made a rap. {
9 hareh 70 Riet river, where marty Of :
7oera contested his passage at nekieI 4
lha aterfhli drifts. After some hours Z
heiling General French drove the Bocrs Z
way ami crossed the river.
esterday tTuesday) the column CON =
ihued ITS march to Kip and Rondayal
fllts' on the Modder river, where again
snort engagement ensucd, General e
french sheiling the Beers vigorously and a
orcing passage. The Beers precipi- Il
ately retired, leaving five laagers in the a
ands OF the British, besides a great
unntity OF cattle and 1000 sheep. \
The rapidity of General French's O.
,arch and the overwhelming nature Of is
is force enabled him In spite of the DIFF a
cultie5 Of water transportation to thor il
lshIy outWit and surprise the Beers.
he British casualties were HEght.
General French now holds beth the
Iodder and Riot rivers between the n,
oers at Magersfontein and their base sc
BSoemfontein. Throughout the march W
'e Free Htate farms were respected, but W
ieir owners @lmost invariably fed. TAX n,
q their effects. SC
'"The health of the troops IS excellent m
1t sickness is prevalent among the ca
'rses, and plentiful supply of re. tn
cunts will be required er
"Colonel Hannay. while on his way tn IN