The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-04-12
LORD ROBERTS
VERY CAUTIOUS
Beers Activity Keeps Him
Busily Guessing.
ENGLAND IS DISGRUNTLED
Proposed March Upon Pretoria Besst
With Many Difficulties--Xinter
Campaign is Probable.

A London special says: Britons are
now beginning, though reluctantly. to
realize that Lord Roberts is in for a
winter campaign, lasting several
months. This is the end, in few
words, of the high hopes based upon
Lord Roberts's brilliant dash to Kim
berly and Bloemfontein.
Preparations are being made to hold
Bioemfontein against surprises. Lord
Kitchener has been given an impor-
tant duty, being responsible for the
protection of the railway, while Lord
Roberts is waiting for remounts and
winter clothing for the troops, whose
thin cotton khaki uniforms and boots
are worn out. General Brabaut and
General Gstacre are both at o stand
still. Lord Roberts will probably for
some time confne his operations to
clearing the Free States behind him of
raiders and to relieving Maleking, for
which purpose apparently the Eighth
division, now arriving at Cape town,
has been ordered to Kimberley.
What the chances are for an advance
to Pretoria may be judged from the fact
that only from 5000 to 10000 horses
are on their way to the cape and from
the further fact that the military tailor
ing department only within the last
three weeks began making woolen
khaki uniforms. It is said it will take
at least two months to provide 200, 900
uniforms.
EMPOWERED TO NEGOTIATE PEACE.
Mr.. Steyn's address to the Free
State raad at Kroonstad is confirmed.
The Fischer -Wolmarans deputation
has full power to negotiate for peace,
subject to the raad's sanction.
The Bloemfontein correspondent of
the Daily Telegraph, telegraphing
Sunday, says:
s'Confrmation has been received OF
the report that the Beers are in laager
in considerable force, with guns, at
Donkerspoort, eighteen miles south
east.
1.-The British scouts report another
body still closer. The Boer patrols
have grown very daring, yenturing
nearer our tents.
A London special under date Of
April says: The amazing activity OF
the Beers southeast and southwest of
Bloemfontein continues, the Boer COM
mands seemingly coming and going
throughout q wide region as they
please, but taking good care not to
throw themselves against strong bodies
of the British.
The retirement OF the Irish Rifles
from Rockville to Aliwal leaves Gen.
eral Brabant without communication
with the other British forces. he has
1000 or 5000 colonists holding fine
defensive country, but he is apparently
invested so far as London knows.
Lord Roberts last message bore date
of April7. The absence of news as
usual disheartens the people and pro-
duces an altogether discouraging ef-
feet. The last unofficial message notes
that good spirits at Bloemfontein are
continuing and tells of the arrival of
animals and two fresh cavalry regi-
ments. Lord Roberts has now $4,000
mounted men altogether.
In the Orange Free State the situa-
ton is complex, with scanty material
for forming correct estimate of the
situation and the afternoon newspa-
pers not being in the confidence of
the managers are criticising the con-
duct of affairs as they see them. Thus
the st. James Gazette reviewing the
armysystem says:
Gas consequence of the foolish,
sporting, boyish estimate of the war,
General Butler is anchored indefinite
", as he must wait for transports un-
til Lord Roberts is adequately sup
r,lie6 "