The National tribune., 1900-03-15
TO BLOEMFONTEIN.
British Advancing Again in South
Africa-A Cape Colony Rising.

Lord RobCrts's advance towards Bloem-
fontein. a cessation of hostilities, inquiry
from the Boer Governments. and the rising
of Dutch in Cape Colony were the features
OF the war in South Africa during the past
10 days.
Butler reported that Natal was practically
clear of Beers, although, on he other hand
BothG. commanding 5000 of them, was
stated to be at Glencoe.
Gen. Kitchener has arrived at Victoria
West to organize various columns for the
purpose OF SupprCSSing the rebellion which
is spreading in the district. Minor fighting
occurred in several directions. Forces of
troops, mostly cnlonists, were dispatched
by Roberts TO the diSaffccted districts.
which are in the northwest part of tie
Colony Victoria West is south OF De Aar,
which in turn is south of Kimberley.
Several English papers announced that
the Government on March received mes
sagcs from President Kruger and Presi-
dent Stcyn. in Dutch, asking upon what
terms q cessation of hostilitics could be
brought about. Tho Cabine: convened on
the next day to consider the messages. and
II Is believed that an uncompromisinc reply
was sent, which is known to have reached
Bloemfontein by the same means aS the
Boer cab!cgram reached the Government.
George Won Siclcn, counsel to the Beers
IN this country, now at New York said in
an interview Kruger made his offer in
order that Great Britain may be responsible
for the slaughter which is inevitably com
ing to her troops. The Bocrs have given
England a chance to retire gracefully after
recent successes, and Mr.. Chamberlain, in
letting go the opportunity. makes himself
responsible for the terrific carnGgt of the
English soi,i;ery which must in ,ytably
ensue. The offer to cease hoStillties was
made in good faith, of course, but | have
definite information that it had this double
purpose"
Gen. Whites garrison began to leave
Ladysmith early in the week, for the Mooi
River camp. cmaciated and exhausted.
They stated that the road to Colenso presents
scenes that exceed in horror those depicted
i'll Dante's Inferno" Dead men and ami
mails are lying, mutilated and purified, in
Beers, and fill the air with q sickening
stencil.
Gen. Brabant continued to operate near
Dordrecht, having several sharp skir
miShcS.
II was apparent that Gen. Butler will not
try anything large in the future. as he is
to lose Sir Charles Warren and the lat
ter's 10000 men, who have been ordered IT,
join Lord Roberts. 1t is the expectation
of the War Office that Lord Roberts, not
withstanding the necessity of garrisoning
his depot5, will be able to operate Il con-
stantly increasing force until, by the time
the TransYGal frontier is reached, he will
have 10000 troops.
Reports from Mafeking indicated that
the garrison was closely pressed and food
scarce. Over 300 English have been killed
wounded, or have died of disease.
ROBERTS'S MOVEMENTS.
The BocrS continued to concentrate in
front of Roberts, at O5fontcin, it being re-
ported that Joubert was in command. AS
one of the English military reviewers put
it, it almost seemed as though he wished
to let the Beers assemble rs much OF their
army as they can before beginning to try
with them"
Meanwhile fresh stores and ammunition |
and troops poured in towards Roberts.
On Wednesday, March s, Roberts sud
denly made a movement. Nothing was
done to disturb the symmetry, the deadly
ingenuity, of the Boer trenches in front of
him. He marched out infantry estimated,
from the commands named at 10000 men,
and sent 10000 horSemen and horse artil-
lery III bold sweep around the BOer left,
the Boer center and right be-
came uutenable. The Beers do not yet
appear to appreciate the mobility of Lord
Roberts's corps, which was able to strike |
50 swiftly in this affair that the enemy had
to abandon much forage and a large
quantity of camp equipment.
Gen. Roberts in reporting this movement |
said:
THE enemy occupied n position four |
miles north and II miles south of the Mod |
der River. | placed Gen. Colville's division |
on the north bank and Gen. Kelly-K -Kenny's !
and fuckers divisions. with cavalry. on |
the south bank. The cavalry division |
in turning the enemy's flank,
opening a road for the Sixth Division, which |
is advancing without having been Obliged |
10 fire shot up to the present time. The
enemy are being closely followed by cav
airy, horse artillery and mounted infantry, |
while fuckers Seventh Division, Cot
Ill loo NInft ni.vIc.1 RI tI. Ill
Brigade. under Pole-Carew, are making
their way across the river at Poplar's Drift,
where propose to place nv hcadq quarters."
A few hours later he reported: I'VE mad
very successful day, and have completely |
routed the enemy, who are i'll full retreat.
The position which they occupied is cx-
iremely strong, and cunningly arranged
with u second lncof intrenchments, which
yould have caused us heavy loss had a
irect attack been made. The turning
was necessarily wide, owing to
he nature of the ground, and the cavalry
md horse artillery horses are much done up.
The lighting was practically confined to
he cavalry division. Our casualties were
about So"
Ii seems that the movements of the
men were somewhat too rapid for
he supporting infantry, and, as a result,
he Boer position was turned before the
main body could strike effectively. The
Beers fell back precipitately and, extending
% the southeast, checked the advance OF
he British cavalry with heavy rifle fire
1t 500 yards range. Accordingly, Gen.
French moved southwark and outfianked
hem again, but the Beers repeated their
actics.
Gen. French continued his harassing
movement, keeping between the Beers and
On March 8 French re
ported his front clear of Beers. All other
eports tend to confirm the state OF dis
organization Of the Boer forces, Transvaal
IS well as Free State The impression
}ccame general that the further progress
If the British to Bloemfontein would not be
opposed.
President Kruger shed tears at his in
,ffectual attempts 10 rally the Beers, who
we're completely paralyZed by Lord Eobcrts's
nasterly tactics. They were too demoral-
zed 10 heed his eXpostulations, and de-
ared that the British cannon were every
where.
Meantime Gatacre advanced and occu-
lied Burghersdorp, March I, and Clements
lorval,s Point, on the south bank of the
orange River.
On Saturday, Roberts met more opposi-
ion, Unexpectedly.
Broadwood's Cavalry Brigade advanc-
ng on Bloemfontein, unexpectedly found
he Beers in a strong position in the
)riefontein kopjes. Gen. Kelly-Kenny S
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