The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-02-23

for the first time since the war began,
Is inside the Boer frontier. Lord Rob.
erts. with Mt least 10000 infantry,
1000 cavalry and $50 guns, has turned
the Mngersfontein lines, before which
the British forces have been encamped
for ten weeks. and with half of his
corps he ia already operating on Free
State territory.
A battle has not vet been fought, but
large tactical advantages have been
gained. The relief Of Kimberley is
within measurable reach. and the way
to Bloemfontein is apparently easier.
The dispatches of Ilord Roberts sketch
three days work. The forward move.
mant began Sunday, when Col. Han
nay set out with Il brigade of mounted
infantry for Isclnah on the Riet, eight
miles from Jacobsdal. one Of the Boer
supply bases. On Monday Gen.
French, with the cavalry division,
Seized the Crossing
of the Riot river ut Dclsils drift. south
Of ,Jacobst!al, and eighteen miles east
of Honey Nest Slocf. He sllir1nisled
with the Beers :;nd cleared the way
for 10000 infantry, who followed
across. On Tuesday. with his three
cavalry brigades and the horse artill-
cry, Gen. French rode to the Modder
river. distance of twenty-five miles.
and took three forts with high ground
beyond the river and five Boer camps,
He had few casualties in brushes
with the Boer horse Gen. French has
now fixed himself Oh Gen. Comics
main line Of communication with
Blocmfcntcin and 2OOOO infantry. with
seventy-two guns. are being pushed up
to support him there. Lord Roberts
dispatches. wired from inside the Free
"Wednesday morning. His advance
had not been opposed by the Beers in
force. Their patrols melted away as
the British mnved forward. The Boer
army is likely to be felt in Il day or
two and
Battle Is Consequently Imminent.
AS to what forces Gen. COME has now
ut his disposal and rs to where lie
proposes making Il stand against the
invaders, no ono here connected with
the war ctlice knows anything. The
data for conceptions are wholly want
ing. 1t is now realized that incidents
at Rcnsberg have been sent out of all
proportion. Merely skeleton lines
We're maintained there while troops
We're being secretly and rapidly conccn-
trated on the Modder river
The London morning papers take
rather sober views of the situation,
but are greatly pleased and hopeful of
what is to come. They have been fed,
however, on such q low diet Of British
successes that they are disposed to
caution and given to measuring devel-
oplnents With considerable reserve.
They fully realize that serious fighting
is yet to come. Lord Roberts an
Eouncements make the minor opera
lions Of other parts of the field shrink.
SlSirmishes Near Lnlysmfth.
London, Feb. 1G. - The Daily Tele
graph has the following. dated Tues
day. from its special correspondent ut
Frerc Camp:
"On Sunday the Beers advanced
down the Ladysmith road toward
Potsiater's. Three hundred men with
officers proceeded to II point where
they began constructing new trenches
at right angles to tho read. This was
about two miles north Of the drift. A
part Of the Beers also crossed the
Tugcla, now very low. about six miles
below Potgietcr's drift. where they
sniped the South African light horse,
who repulscd them. Several other
skirmishes have taken place and the
Beers arc evidently anxious about their
positions. They have been throwing
UP defensive works from Trichard's
drift and the Spion Kop range cast
ward Oh the Hlangwana and Monte
Cristo hills. both on this side Of the
Tusela. They also have two. if not
three. wooden bridges spanning the
Tugela in the bend and a wire rope
apparatus for the conveyance of food
and ammunition across the river"
Beers Shell Women's Lager.
London, Feb. 16.-The Daily. Chroni-
Gle publishes the following dispatcl,
from Mafeking, dated Jan. 90:
"The Roers shellcd the women's
lager for two hours on Saturday,
Jan. p. Boer women. warned by
spies evidently, went into the trenches,
clapped their hands and hurrahed
when the shells fell neartthe Enylisl,
women. Lady Sarah Wilson was
slightly wounded. Mai. Gould Adams
and Capt. Wilson received Commissions
from shell fragments"