Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-07
PROGRESS SLOW
VARIOUS RUMoRs REPORTED RE-
GARDING QUICK RELIEF
OF MAFEKlNG.
ROBERTS IS SUCCESSFUL.
Believe Beers Have Evacuated Wynd-
burg-Boers Retreat From Roof
dam After Fight.

London, May 7.-4:10 a. m.-Lord Rob
erts is making better progress than IN
one had dared to hope and is meeting
with success at all points. The only
news Of the actual occupation of Wind
berg is the incidental reference to it in
the dispatch from Vet river, describing
General Pole-Carew's operations, but as
the latest news of General Hamilton'S
operations, dated Saturday morning, was
that he was then preparing to force the
difficult passage over Little Welt river
on the Windberg road,
there is no doubt that the new of the
occupation is
The Beers, following their customary
practice, a evacuated their positions
on the Vet river during Saturday night.
AS Lord Roberts, advancing along the
railroad, and General Hamilton, 20 miles
to the east, threatened the two wings OF
the Boer forces, it could not be surpris-
ing to hear that they had also evacuated
Windberg.
General Hamilton's advance will pre-
ven the Boer forces in the direction of
Thabanchu joining their main army near
Windberg.
General Rumble on Saturday had ar
rived, in pursuit of the Beers, seven
miles north of Thabanchu, compelling
the Beers to retire in an easterly direc-
ton.
A Boer account of the capture Of
Brandfort says: THE federal forces.
although weak in numbers, offered
strong resistance, but they were forced
by the overwhelming force opposed to
them to e%vacuate the town.
General Hunters progress, although
slow, is satisfactory. The idea that the
relief of M%afeking is in sight. however,
appears to have been premature, as the
Beers in that quarter are still stoutly
resisting the British advance.
According to a dispatch to the Daily
Mail from Capetown, a special eNpedi-
ton to the westward left Kimberley a
few days ago and will endeavor to re-
lieve Mafeking. while General Hunter
and Lord Methuen are operating on
either side Of the Vaal river in conjunc-
ton with Lord Roberts army.
From Lourenzo Marquee comes vari-
Gus rumors that Colonel Plumer has been
reinforced and is again advancing to-
ward Mafeking.
Another report says Mafeking has been
relieved and General Lommer, with 5000
Beers, captured at Fourteen Streams.
Women have been placed in the gov
eminent offices in the Transvaal in order
to relieve the burghers for active SER
vice.
Two new South Wales lancers who es-
capped from Waterfall prison, have ar
rived at Delagoa bay after a dangerous
journey.
The volksraad will meet in Pretoria to-
day. Probably the sitting will be MEM
orable.
The Johannesburg shell factory has
resumed work with Austrian, Italian and
Greek workmen. '*
Warrenton. Sunday, May 6.-Yesterday
General Barton drove from 1000 to 5000
Beers from billy positions at Rooidam,
where they awaited them. They retreated
after a stiff fight. leaving a number of
dead on the field. The British casual
ties were slight. Genera Barton is still
pursuing. a
Windsorton and Kip Dam nave been
evacuated.
General Paget's brigade is attacking
the Boer position at Warrenton.
The engagement yesterday was severe
and lasted from 9 in the morning until
a in the afternoon. More than once the
British infantry was obliged to engage
the Beers at close quarters and the Beers
only retired when their retreat was
nearly cut off.
The British losses We're five killed and
% wounded, mostly WEIGH fusileers. The
British took a batch of prisoners, includ-
ing the Swedish ambulance, which they
allowed to return. The Beers, in their
hurry, left 10 dead.
Today General Paget made a strong
demonstration against the Boer position
east of the ridge, thereby preventing
Boer reinforcements going to assist in
checking General Barton's advance.