The Lamar register., 1900-02-21


Every detail received proves how ad-
mirably Lord Roberts plans were con-
ceived and were succeeding. But for
the unexpected delay at Dekiels Drift,
which was almost impossible for wag-
ons, the whole Boer army would have
been surrounded The delay of one day
there gave them their chance for a
hasty retreat
London, Feb 1T.-Generals Kitchener
and Keily-kenny are fighting the rear
OF General Cronje's force. somewhere
between Jaeobsdal and BloemfonteIn.
General French Is lighting a Boer
force TO the north OF Kimberley.
Part OF the Kimberley garrison and
the troops under Sir Horton MacDon-
aid are fighting Beers between Modder
river and Kimberley. near Spyfonteln.
The general force left at Rensberg Is
fighting horde of Beers. who are
swarming down in the heights about
ColssberE.
General Gatacre is fighting Beers At
Molteno.
General Butler Is bombardinE the
Bcer position at Vanl Krantz and Is
said to have recrossed the Tugela in a
fourth attempt to relieve Ladysmith.
Such Is the situation to-day in South
Africa. There Is fighting along the en-
tire line. such appears TO be Lord
Roberts plan OF action-keep the Beers
busy everywhere.
Specials from Ladysmlth report an
apparent movement on the part of the
Beers toward the Free State, pre-
sumably with the object of assisting
General Cronje. The news that Cen
eral Butler is attempting another cross
ing OF the Tugela east of Colenso. af-
ter the capture of Hlnndwane hill,
therefore gives great satisfaction. Bull
ler's losses 50 far have been about
twenty In wounded. His entire army
with the exception of General Hart's
brigade, is engaged in the operation.
General Kelly -kenny's brigade on
Friday captured seyenty-eight wagons
laden with stores, two wagons of
Mauser rifles, eight boxes OF shells
ten barrels OF explosives and large
quantity OF stores, all belonging to
Cronje's laager, which was still being
sheiled by our artillery when Kitchen
er dispatched his messenger.
General Roberts reports the British
casualties during the fighting at Ja-
cobsdal as follows: One killed, four
teen wounded and three missing.
That the Beers are making the most
OF their opportunity In Central Cape
Colony Is evident from the loss of two
| companies OF tlt W regiment,
the nnnihilatiOn of a company of Aus
tralians and the reported capture of
train of supplies.
Jacobsdahl Orange Free State, Feb.
1S.-Lord Roberts combinations for the
movement of the corps dovetailed with
precision. although obstacles that had
not been foreseen had to be overcome
The execution OF his design began at
3 q. In, Sunday. General French rode
into Kimberley Thursday afternoon,
Just when he was due according to the
field mArshars time table, having in
four and half days, marched ninety
miles with artillery, and having fought
two small engagements.
The relief of Kimberley was accom-
plIshed with the loss of only fifty men.
Twenty thousand infantry made a
splendid march under a sub-tropical
sun and through a dust storm, to hold
the positions which General French
took.
The rapidity of Lord Roberts move
ment away from his base has solved
one of the problems, perhaps the chief
problem of the war. He and Lord
Kitchener have created mobile force
able to move In exterior lines and to
outfiank the Beers, themselves SO won
derfully mobile.