Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-04-26

etsdorp Occupied by General Cher
inside without Opposition.
LONDON, April 25.-The war Office
has issued the following from Lord
Roberts, dated Bloemfontein, April rs,
1926 p. M:
"The enemy retired from in front of
Wepener last night and this morning
fed northward along the Ladybrand
road. Their number was between 1000
and 5000"
HERSCHEL. Cape Colony, Tuesday,
April 24.-It is reported that the Brit
ish have occupied Wepener after heavy
fighting. 1t is also said that the Beers
are unable to escape to the north and
that great developments are expected.
CAPE TOWN, April 26.-The relief
of Col. Dalgety was accomplished by
Gen. Brabant.
LONDON, April 25.-The war Office
this morning received the following
message from Gen. Roberts at Bloem-
fontein:
"Dewetsdorp was occupied by Gen.
Chermside without opposition at $3.50
o'clock this morning"
The indecisive actions and slow pro-
gress of Gems. Hart and Brabant are
relatively u~nimportant when compar-
ed with the progress of Gen. French.
1t is now evident that lord Roberts
wishes not only to defeat the Beers, but
to pen them in as at Paardebery. To
this end 10000 British troops are con-
centrating in the southeastern portion
Of the Orange Free State, and are oper-
ating according to carefully devised
plans in which the delay may be as
much due to strategy as to necessity.
The success of this important move
ment almost entirely depends on Gen.
French. If he can sweep down from
the north with the rapidity of execu-
ton which he displayed at Kimberley
and Paardeberg, he will effect the same
swift, sudden transformation which
followed the cavalry evolutions two
months ago. According to last ac-
counts, he was pushing on successfully.
Every day the Beers remain at WEEP
ener improve Gen. French's chance of
success.
A later dispatch from Gen. Roberts
says: Gen. Pole-Carew's division
Rhodekop yesterday evening without
casualties. The advance was covered
BY cavalry and horse artillery, which
drove back the enemy with heavy loss,
their dead being left on the ground.
The mounted troops halted for the
night at Grootfontein, and at 1880 this
morning were crossing the Modder
river at Valsbank, in accordance with
my instructions to French to endeavor
TO place himself astride the enemy's
line of retreat. French's arrival near
the Modder evidently, however, alarm
ed the Beers, for they evacuated their
strong position near Dewetsdorp during
the night and it was occupied by
Chermside's division this morning"
"The mounted infantry under liam
Hamilton drove the enemy off the
kopjes in the neighborhood of the wa
ter works without casualties on our
side.
The Highland Brigade marched "a
miles yesterday to support Gen. Ham
ilton, and halted for the night at Kip
Kraal, four miles short of Sannas post.
"Brabant and Hart are still a few
miles short Of We2ener, and the num-
Der of the enemy appear to have
somewhat increased during the last
few days. But it is not likely there
will be much trouble in the neighbor-
hood Of Wepener once Dewetsdorp is
occupied by our troops.
Il inspected the city imperial volun-
teer battalion yesterday on their ar
rival at Bloemfontein. They are in
fine form, and look very workman
like. l also inspected the first COM
pany of imperial Yeomantry, which has
arrived here. The men turn out smart,
and their horses are in admirable con-
dition.'
To put a girdle round the 25, 900
Beers estimated to be in the south
eastern part of the Orange Free State
Lord Roberts has evidently taken
large chances. The British critics diff
fer regarding the result, some declar-
ing it is already impossible for the
Beers to escape from the net. while
others reserve their opinion until more
definite news of Gen. French's prog
ress is received. There is a general
impression that the main advance up
on Pretoria will be taken up without
any RECOMMENDATION at Bloemfontein,
as with more than half the British
army stretched in echelon across the
Orange Free State such a change in
directions would definitely delay the
ACCOMPLISHMENT Of Lord Roberts main
objective.
MAZERU, April 24.-On the break
ing up of the bivouac this morning
Gems. Brabant and Hart discovered
that the Beers, who fell back toward
Wepener yesterday, had advanced dur
Ing the night several miles nearer to
Strauss's farm, which is a favorable
position for resistance.
Col. Dalgety was severely attacked
with six guns this morning, probably
with a view of preventing him assist
ing the relief column. 1t seemed yes
terday that Col. Dalgety had practic-
ally been relieved, but the offensive at
titude assumed by the Beers this morn