New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
ON THE WAY TO PRETORIA.
TWO-FIFTHS OF THE DISTANCE FROM
BLOEMFONTEIN COVERED


IBy CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London. May 13 a. m.-General Roberts has
entered Kroonstad and completed the second
stage Of his march to Pretoria His left wing
marched twenty miles along the railway Friday
and encamped within fourteen miles of the
town. with the Beers in intrenched position at
BOschrand, six miles distant. The right wing
also advanced steadily along the Winburg road
the cavalry brigade overtaking the Boer convoy
near Nentersburg and capturing a portion of
the wagons. Pole-Carew's division was on the
extreme left, with fuckers division further east
and Cove's division on the extreme right Four
brigades of cavalry and two divisions of mount
ed infantry We're in advance OF the infantry
supports. and the bulk of the mounted force
was under French's command near the railway
A hundred prisoners had been taken, but
mishap had occurred to troop of Inniskillings
which had been suddenly fired upon from
house where the white flag was flying several
men being killed and sixteen wounded or capt
ured
The Beers evacuated their ntrenched position
al Boschrand during the night when they
learned that French's cavalry had seized drift
over the Valsch, and Pole -Carew's battalions
took possession of the trenches without opposi-
ton The following morning the British left
wing was within eight miles of Sroonstad at 9
O'clock. and the Headquarters Staff entered the
town without opposition at 1:30, followed by
the Imperial Yeomanry and other forces. The
flag was raised and cheered, and the battalions
as they came up encamped around the town
The march of 12O miles from Bloemfontein had
been made with remarkable dispatch, and Cen
eral Roberts's army had gone two-ffths of the
way to Pretoria.
General Robertss bulletin issued at o o'clock,
recited the details of the occupation of Kroon-
stad The most important detail was evidence
Of dissensions among the allies. The Transvaal
Bc=rs had refused TO remain longer in the Free
State, and had retreated across the VaaI to their
own territory. President Steyn had appealed in
vain to the burghers to make final stand, and
had himself taken refuge in flight Friday night
after proclaiming another capital in a remote
section. General Botha had gone with the
Transvaal Beers, and also General Dewet, with
a portion Of the Free Staters but apparently,
the breach between the allies final. The
Transvaal Beers would only fight in defence of
their own territory, and the mass Of the Free
staters were unwilling TO cross the Vaal. Many
Free Staters were retiring to their farms. and
the commanders with reduced numbers were
moving eastward toward the mountains for
guerilla warfare. General Roberts had not
taken many prisoners nor defeated the Dutch
in any decisive engagement. but he had driven
taken all the heart for fighting out Of them.
The war is not ended. but General Roberts has
divided the allies and brought the close of the
campaign within sight
Details of General Rundle's skirmishing with
the Beers Oh the eastern flank show that the
Eighth Division has strong cavalry supports
and is operating In the same manner as Gen
eral Robertss force in the north. The Beers
are maneuvred out of one position after an
other in the hilly districts through the mobility
Of the mounted force. which menaces their line
O. retreat and keeps the commanders apart
kundles headquarters are northeast OF Thaba
Nchu, and he is keeling the Boer force in con-
stant motion and thwarting Oliviers plan for
attacking isolated detachments and capturing
conveys. There appears to be no opportunity
for an effective counterstroke. upon which de-
pends Steyn's only chance of Transforming the
campaign IN the Free State. Skirmshihg was
continued on Friday, but the Dutch forces were