Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-09-05
Think IT'S ENDING
FINISHING TOUCHES OF
Gen. ROBERTS CAMPAIGN
1t Is An Old Story Oft Repeated--De
Wet Is Hard Individual to
Catch Roberts May Re-
turn Soon.

NEW YORK, Aug. 29.-.A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says: There
is much inclination to believe that the
operations in which Lord Roberts Is
now engaged against General Botha
are destined to form the final stage Of
the South African war from the Pre-
toria report cabled to the effect that
the Beers in the Transvaal capital be-
lieve that Botha will abandon the con.
test If beaten on this occasion and that
Presidents Kruger and Steyn will then
fee TO Delagoa bay.
But these rumors have been repeated
and proved fallacious frequently
enough before and 1t is impossible to
pronounce definitely that the BOer
leaders believe the limit of resistance
to have been reached. The reappear-
ance OF De Wet in the Orange Free
State and the activity of the Beers IN
Buffers communications In Natal
would rather point the other way. II
II had been determined to stake every
thing on the result of Botha's stand
in the eastern Transvaal, IL 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 indecisive. Movements,
as Lord Roberts says in his dispatch
on 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. considers his advance
going on satisfactorily and regards
General Buffers engagement of the
9th as an important success. The re.
suit Of the days fighting was that the
Beers withdrew their line by some two
miles, allowing Butler to capture 4
strong position within their outer semi.
circle of defense west of the Dalman.
utha railway station.
The question now arises whether the
British will be able to force the fight.
ing so as to hold the enemy In posi-.
ton and compel him to accept the de.
feat which superior numbers and more
powerful artillery should be able TO in.
fiiCt, or Is the nature of the country
such that General Botha, though driv.
en- back from one vantage ground to
another, will eventually be able to &c.
treat in time to save his guns and
transports? II previous experience IS
= guide, the Beers will delay the Brit.
lsh advance as long as they can do 50
safely, but will then retire at leisure
before the invaders can secure a decl.
sive victory.
Charles Williams, the well known
military expert, believes Lord Roberts
has the present intention OF returning
to England in the course OF October
so as to be ready to relieve Lord Vol.
seley on November as commander.
in-chief Of the British army. In such
event General Butler may be asked &c
resume command Of the forces in South
Africa.
General Warren writes to the Times
to say that various statements which
have recently appeared in the press
purporting to be views expressed by
him as to recent events In South Africa
have been made entirely without his
authority; that he has not expressed
any opinions with a view to publica.
tion and that some of the statements
attributed TO him are contrary to fact