New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-09
MORE PEACE TALK HEARD.
RIJMORs FROM THE TRANSvAAL CAP
ITALoRD RoBERTs's OPERATIONS.

Icopyr.ght: 1900: by The Nrw-YOrk Triounel
IBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSEl
London. March 8. a. m.-Peace rumors have
come from Pretoria 1.-The Times publishes
to-day a dispatch from Lourenco Marques credit
ing President Krdger with the announcement
that he was going TO Bloemfontein TO arrange
q COMPROMISE and settle everything to the salts
faction Of everybody. That Is a large undertak-
ing. An italian journal, on the authority of
consul at Pretoria. states that the Beers are
willing 10 make peace on the basis OF the re-
lations ey' sting before the war; and are seeking
the intervention Of the Powers 10 that end. This
Is cuckoo song with a false note. There has
been marked change of opinion in Parliament
and the country during the last fortnight. The
only basis on which peace negotiations can now
be conducted is the disappearance Of the Dutch
armies from the field.
General Roberts reported progress in three di-
rections yesterday. TWO OF French's cavalry
brigades with Kelly -Kenny's division, had ad-
vanced ten miles eastward toward Bloernfontein.
General Clements had occupied the south bank
Of the Orange River at NorvaIs, where the
bridge had been blown up Tuesday by the Dutch
General Gatacre was expecting to occupy Bur
ghersdorp yesterday. There was no confirmation
Of the previous days reports that General Bull
Ier's forces We're in motion toward Van Reenen's
Pass, but there was evidence in the west and
south that General Roberts intended to
the British Army as far possible in the Free
State, and crush resistance there. General
Gatacre can leave General Brabants force free
TO operate in the district between jamestown
and Aliwal North, and can send his own bat
talions forty miles over the railway to Bethulie
Bridge. General Clements is opposed by Dutch
guard across the Orange River. and is pre-
pared TO invade the Free State without delay.
The railway to Bloemfontein is likely TO be
opened before many weeks as an alternative line
OF communication for the Kimberley line.
FRENCH's SECOND TURNING MOVEMENT
Press descriptions Of General French's second
turning movement add little to the official
count. The attack was preceded by thorough
reconnaissance Of the eneny's lines and by vigil
liant scouting. French's attack was unexpected
and the Dutch commanders retreated in hot
haste. leaving supplies. tents and Krupp gun
behind them. All the correspondents describe
the shell fire Of the horse batteries as most
effective. The main body Of the Dutch retreated
eastward but General Roberts left in COM
nand Of the more direct road to Bloemfontein
through Petersburg. ''The Echo" correspondent
asserts that General Roberts intended to turn
The Boer positions in succession and to cut off
their retreat, but that there was quick stam-
pede, and that the cavalry, with the horses done
up. could not overtake the fugitives. The High
landers and Canadians captured a large kopje
with a Krupp gun. but were not able to run
GOWN the enemy. General Delarey may make d
stand at Abraham's Kraal but the concentra-
ton Of the Dutch forces among the hills north Of
brandfort is more probable. The British occu-
patton Of the Free State capital is not likely to
be seriously contested.
the transport arrangements for the supply of
Rob
from the railway base have been excellent, and
lhe principal cause Of the delay is the condition
OF the horses. General Kitchener's work as an
organizer is apparent in the mobility which the
british army has suddenly acquired Officers
IN their letters to friends in England have ex-
palned this mystery. General Kitchener during
ms nrst month in South Africa went up and
oo"h the lines, inspecting every detail of the
eFslefn OF supplies, visiting Methuen's French's
1ha Satacre's headquarters, making changes at
ai' beifnont ana other points and trans
forming the entire transport service Every
'9uare peg In round hole came out and eff
vent men were put in the place of dawdlers and
'iuhoerers The energy Of this remarkable man
SHOWN In every branch Of the service He
Hao not been in Cape Town fortv-eieht hours
peiore all officers idling about the clubs and
A0'eis unoer the pretence of sick leave were sent
- 'heir way TO rejoin their commands. General
h7her went everywhere and saw everything
'u "hen General Roberts was ready m start
' 'he 'front.' victory was already organized
BAD NEWS FROM MAFEKrNc
me only quarter from which the news ,s
.oOny is Mafesing. where the privations NJ
.s.on ssrrison from lack Of food are severe and
. 'ls typhoid fever 70 raging. II q. 10, -.
Ae6sr the force recruited mainly =, x,-.sH,...