The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-06-14
ROBERTS FIGHTS BOTHA;
AND KITCHENER, DEWET
Result Of the Former Battle Not Announced; Latter
is a Victory for the British
Line Of Communication ReOpened by Combined Efforts Of
the Sirdar and Methuen

London, June 13.-After a weeks ST
lence, Lord Roberts has been heard
from, his line of communicate lions hav-
ing been practically restored by means
of a complete victory gained by Gen
erals Methuen and Kitchener over Gen
eral Dewet at the Rhenoster river yes
terday, June u. The Boer camp was
captured and the burghers, it is add
ed, were scattered in all directions.
Lord Roberts, on being notified of the
cutting of his line of communications,
sent General Kitchener in all haste TO
Join General MethUen. June II Lord
Roberts attacked General Botha, who
was in strong force fifteen miles south
east of Pretoria. After strenuous op-
position the British forces gained con-
siderable ground, but General Botha,
when Lord Roberts left the field, was
still indicated.
All is quiet at Pretoria and JohaH-
nesburg, and Lord Roberts says the
government need have no apprehension
about the security of the army in
South Africa, as it win not take long
10 remedy TIE reverses and repair the
railroad.
Tells of Fight With Botha-
A lengthy dispatch forwarded to the
war Office by Major General Knox from
KrOonstad, presumably sent there by
messenger, reads as follows.
''KrOOnstad, Junf I've have been
requested TO forward you from Lord
Roberts the following dispatch from
Pretoria presidency at SOS a. m. to-
day:
!" Pretoria, June 12.-Pretoria and
johannesburg are perfectly quiet and
several of the inhabitants have ex-
pressed gratitude for the peace and
order which prevail
After surrendering the city, Botha
retired to q place about fifteen miles
east, on the SIiddlesburg road. He had
a small force but during the last few
days his numbers increased, and his
being so near the town kept UP the
excitement in the country. prevented
the burgheTs from laying down their
arms and inteTfered with the collection
of supplies. 1t therefore became neces-
sary to attack him. This 1 did yes
terday. He held a very strong posi-
ton, practically unassailable in front,
which enabled him to place the main
portion OF his troops on his TANKS,
which he knew from former experience
were his vulnerable parts. i sent
French, with POrter's and DiXOn's cav
airy brigades and Hutton mounted in
Hamilton, with BrOadwoOd and Cor
don's cavalry brigade, Ridley's mount
ed infantry and Bruce Hamilton's in
fantry brigade round by our right. Both
columns met with great opposition. At
about in the afternoon 1 saw two
of Hamilton s infantry battalions ad-
Vancing to what appeared to be the
key TO the enemy's defense, on their
left flank. This was almost gained be-
8 h -.
bivouack on the ground they had won.
g 'PoIe-CareW, with his division, oc-
cupied our center.
AS I have explained, he could not
attack, but he gradually advanced So
as 10 support Ian Hamilton, and when
I left the field he was on the line held
by the enemy's OUtpOsts in the morn
ing.
Kitchener Sent in Relief
I hurried back TO get news Of Meth
uen's movement. On hearing that the
Free Staters had taken advantage of
our crossing the Vaal to interrupt our
line Of communication, 1 sent Kitch-
eHer with such troops as 1 could then
spare TO Yer CFredefOrt), with orders
to push south and communicate with
Methuen. who, knew. had a very COM
pact force IN the vicinity of Hebron.
I also dispatched a special messenger
TO Methuen, instructing him to push on
at all speed TO the main line Of rail-
way. These two officers met at Vrede-
for road station in the evening Of June
10 They marched yesterday to RhenOs-
ter river, where Methuen gained a
complete victory over Dewet and took
possession of his camp and scattered
his troops in all directions. He and
Kitchener marched today towards
Kroonstad.
Her majesty's government need
have no apprehension as to the secur-
ity Of the army in South Africa The
enemy gained a slight success, which
was unfortunate. but which VIII be
remedied very shortly and l. viii not
take long to repair the damage done TO
the railway. AS these diversions are
all in existence L am now able TO hold
the line between this and RhenOster in
strength. Methuen viii arrange to
guard it onward as he advances.
Hunter should be at Poatchef-
stroom today. He VIII then move on
johannesburg.
We have communicated with Bull
Ter who will no doubt. soon make the
presence of his force in the field felt.
our losses yesterday We're not.
trust. serious, but I deplOre the death
of that gallant soldier the Earl of Air
lie. The only other casualties reported
as vet are: Seventeenth Lancers-Ma-
jor the Hon. Lionel Fortesque and Lieu