Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-29
Indecisive Engngememts.

The rcappearance of De Wet in the
Orange Free State and the activity of
the Beers on Buffers communications in
Natal would rather point the other way.
If it had been determined to stake every
thing on the result of Botha's stand in
the eastern Transvaal, it would hardly
seem worth while to revive the campaign
in other quarters.
So far the operations between the
Boer and British main armies have been
somewhat indecsive. Movements, as
Lord Roberts says in his dispatch of
Monday evening, are necessarily slow on
account of the great extent and difficult
nature of the country which forms the
scene of the battles. He, however, con-
siders his advance going on satisfactory
ly and regards General Buffers engage
ment of the 9th as an important sue
cess. The result of the days fighting
was that the Beers withdrew their line
by some two miles, allowing Butler to
capture n strong position within their
outer scmicirclc of defcnses west of the
Dalmanutha railway station. The ques-
ton now arises whether the British will
be able to force the fighting so as to hold
the enemy in position and compel him
to accept the defeat which superior num-
bers and more powerful artillery should
be able to inilict, or is the nature of the
country such that General Botha, though
driven back from one vantage ground
to another, will eventually be able to
retreat in time and save his guns and
transport If previous experience is Il
guide. the Beers will delay the British
advance as long as they can do SO safely,
but will then retire at leisure before the
invaders can secure decisive victory.
Charles Williams, the well known mill
tary expert. believes Lord Roberts has
the present intention of returning to Eng
land in the course of October, so as to
he ready to relieve Lord Wolscley on
Nov. l as commander in chief of the
British army. In such event General
Butler may be asked to resume COM
mand of the forces in South Africa.
Beers RepuIscd With Loss.
A dispatch from Lourenco Marques
says:
"Heavy fighting is reported to have
occurred at Machadodorp. The Beers
are said to have been defeated with
great loss, leaving their guns and am
munition in the hands of the British"
Lord Roberts reports under date of
Belfast, Aug. 81, as follows
"Our movements are slow on account
y.
Today we made n satisfactory advance
and met with decided success. The work
fell entirely to Buffers troops and re-
suited in the capture of Bergcndal, n
very strong position two miles northwest
of Dalmanutha. | met Butler at Ber-
gcndal shortly after it was reached by
our troops. | am glad to find the occu-
patton cost less than was feared on ac-
count of the approach being across an
open glncis for 1000 or 5000 yards and
the determined stand of the enemy. The
Enniskilcns and Second Rifle brigade
formed the attacking party. The latter
suffered most. | hope the casualties do
not exceed 30 or GO One officer was
killed and two were wounded. A good
many Beers were killed, and pompOm
quick firing gum was captured.
French advanced on the left to Swartz-
kopjes, on the Lydenburg road. and pre-
pared the way for the movement of Pole
Carew's division tomorrow.
"Badcn-Powell reports that he occu-
pied Mushroom without opposition. As
the country where he and Paget are op-
Grating is dense bush and veldt it is not
desirable at the present to proceed fur
thcr north. and their troops are returning
TO Pretoria"