St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-02-21
WAR IN The TRANSVAAL.

London. Feb. 2O.-General Kelly-ken-
nv is still pursuing the Beers. he mas
! now captured more than 100 wagons
The highland brigade reinforced him
after a forced march. General French
has left Kimberley to join in the pursuit
of the Boer army. The guards have
occunied the Boer position at Mayors
fontein.
It now amply confirmed that General
Cronte has escaped. Every detall, now
ever. proves how admirably Lord Rod
erts' nlans were conceived and were sue
ceeding. But for the unexpected delay
at Dekiels Drift, which was almost i'm
passable for wagons, the whole Boer
force would have been surrounded. The
delay Of one day there gave them their
chance for hasty retreat.
All the movements of Lord Roberts
were executed exactly to time. Appar-
emily General Cronje Is retreating with
the main army, and even if he escapes
altogether, he will probably lose all his
baggage.
There is still something doubtful about
the capture Of the British convoy. Ac-
cording to a Daily Mail correspondent
with the convoy-which consisted Of 200
wagons, each loaded with 5000 pounds
of rations and Of forage, and each drawn
by is oxen-it was quite Unexpectedly
attacked by commando supposed to
come from Colesberg. The escort, con-
sisting of so OF the Gordon Highlanders,
40 men of the army service corps and a
few of Kitchener's horse, maintained a
defense until the arrival of reinforce
ments, sustaining insignificant casual
ties.
Specials from Ladysmith report an ap-
parent movement on the part of the
Beers toward the Free State, presum-
ably with the object of assisting General
Cronje. The news that General Butler
is attempting another crossing of the
Tugela, east of Colenso, after the can
ture of Fl rndwane HILL therefore gives
great satisfaction. Buffers losses SO far
have been about 20 in wounded. His en-
tire army, with the exception of General
Harris brigade, is engaged in the OPERA
ton.
Lord Roberts has issued proclama-
ton to the burghers of the Free State
saying that he feels it his duty to make
known to all the burghers the cause of
the coming of the British, as well as to
do all in his power to terminate the de-
vastation caused by the war, and that
he issues the proclamation in order that
If the burghers continue fighting thew
may not do so ignorantly, but with a
full knowledge of their responsibility
before God for the lives lost in the cam
paign.
The proclamation goes on to saw:
1.-THE British government believes that
the wanton and unjustiflable invasion
of British territory was not committed
with the general approval of the peo-
pie OF the Free State, with whom the
British government has lived in COM
plete amity for so many years. It be-
lieves the responsibility to rest wholly
with the government of the Free State.
acting, not in the interests of the coun-
try, but under mischievous Influences
from without.
Great Britain, therefore, wishes the
people of the Free State to understand
that it bears them no ill-Will, and that
so far as compatible with the successful
conduct Of the war and of the re-estab.
lishment of peace, 1t is anxious to pre-
serve them from the evils brought upon
them by the wrongful action of their
government"
In conclusion Lord Roberts warns all
burghers to desist from further acts of
hostility toward her majestys govern
ment and troops and he gives directions
regarding acquisitions and complaints.