The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-02
IN SOUTH AFRICA.


ant Gen. Louis Botha the Beers appear
to have found capable successor to
Joubert AS the result of his insight
and quick decision it may be assumed
now that the retreating commanders
have gotten safely away with the trans
port.
1t is true that Lord Roberts despatch
leaves much unsaid as to the where
abouts of other forces than those of
Gen. French and Gen. Rumble. Moth
ing is said about the troops of Gems.
Brabant, Pole .Csrew, Hart and Cherm-
side, but the indications from Aliwal
North show that several small COM
mandoes are still lowering in the vicin-
ity of Springfield, causing a certain
amount of danger, and the advices from
Dewetsdorp, outlining the duties of
Gen. Chermsde, justify the conclusion
that it will still be necessary 10 employ
considerable body of troops to keep
the Free State clear of Beers.
One thing is certain-the Beers, who
began their raid month ago by COM
polling Colonel Broadwood to retire on
Bloemtontein, have now got safely
away to the northward, practically with
out loss but with the advantage of seven
British guns together with hundred
prisoners captured.
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
the Times describes Lord Roberts
army as "wreck" because it was with
out horses and without transports. The
Bloemfontein correspondent of the
Post speaks now of the urgent need at
present and always of more horses.
Reports have just been received that
the Beers are retiring to the north of
Ladybrand. Their horses are exhaust
ed and they themselves are disappoint-
ed over their failure to capture Col.
Dalgetty's position. The British cav
airy who were pursuing the fugitive
commanders are returning to Bloem-
fontein.
A comprehensive view of the situa,
ton is sent the Standard from its
Bloemfontein correspondent. He says:
"The Beers have taken every ad-
vantage of the mountainous nature of
the country which marks the line of
their retreat to Ladybrand. The task
of driving them is difficult and it is
doubtful whether they can be reduced
to Submission in district so favorable
|
ish outpost, the one nearest Brandfort.
The Beers show the deepest anxiety
to learn the probable line of our adj
vance and they declare they will not
fire shot from Brandfort as they wish
to save the town from bombardment.
The enemy is entrenched on the hills
southeast of Brandfort, but they are
not likely to make any serious stand
until we reach Kroonstad."
"The Beers are short of wagons,
wheat and smokeless powder, but they
have plenty of other stores, and of rifle
ammunition. They are not likely how
ever, to offer serious resistance, as they
possess no positions this side of pre-
toria that are not capable of being
turned by the British army. Moreover
the Vaal river offers no protection be-
cause it is fordable every dozen miles
or 30. The official thinks determin-
ed advance bo the British would lead
the Beers to destroy Johannesburg
Mines"
LONDON, May 1.-Uncommon and
renewed activity is shown by the Beers
west of Bloemfontein. They are in
force between Fourt en- Streams and
| hlulu6Ily. Ou OuuuhJ luo1 OCCuplcu
Windsorton, west of the ilway, and
now threaten to interrupt the commu-
nication of the British force at Warren
ion to the north. This, too, at time
when Gen. Hunter is about to start on
a 200 mile march to Mafeking, probably
with 5000 men.
To the east of Bloemiontein the
Beers Sunday night were still holding
the hills near Thaba.Nchu, while be-
hind them long wagon trains, loadc
with wheat for the Boer army in the
north are moving through Ladybrand.
The British captured one Boer convoy
on Saturday, but it's size is not men
toned in the despatch, which barely
announces the fact. Wepener, lately
the scene of incessant fighting, is de-
serted, General Brabant and Colonel
Dalgetty having moved northward.
African horse sickness has broken
out in General Buffers army. 1t
proves especially fatal among freshly