Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-18

OF General Kelly-Kenny's brigades was
last reported as pursuing and engaging
the Boer rear guard. General Kitchener
is superintending the pursuit, which
may be effective.
"Of the First and Ninth Divisions no
mention has been made in the tele-
grams, and the inference is that u part
OF the design is as yet undisclosed.
Possibly their function is TO complete
the circle on the west. Perhaps, too,
force Is making to the eastward, south
of the Modder river to intercept Cronje,
though as the mounted Beers cover
thirty miles II day. no infantry can
catch them ~ mart OF the Boer force
may have retreuted to the northwest,
toward Barkley, and will no doubt be
pursued.
RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.
There can be no doubt that Kimber-
ley is relieved, and that the railway
VIII soon be re-opened This is Il sue
cess, but the more valuable result-the
destruction of part of the Boer army
has not been Secured. 1t cannot be
said, in the circumstances that this is
attributable to weakness in the British
gencraship, which seems to have been
excellent.
There are disquicting features in the
news. The capture by Beers. said 10
have coIuc from Colesberg. OF large
British convoy. may diminish the mnbil-
ity of ti;c British force. and is y proof
OF Tie Judgment and energy of the Boer
leaders. The vigorous attack OH the
British post at Eensburg shows that
the Eocrs mean to reply 10 Lord Rob
crts' advance by striking 1at his COM
munications.
USELESS TO SPECULATE. $,
Until the Issue OF the operations
around Kimberley is fully known 1t is
useless 10 speculate upon the next move
of Lord Roberts. The fact that KIM
bcriey has been relieved, and that
COME has made IA husty retreat, are
To tlie good side of thc account. but the
fact that Comic has not. at any rate up
TO the date OF The latest kilograms |
have seen. been well beaten in II fight
is disappointment. The opinion is
widespread that the invasion of the
Free state will bring the Boer army, or
ut least the Free state contingent, out
DC Natal. Upon this point / am less
sanSuinc than most OF the English OBJ
servers, but the news of Lord Roberts
advance will encourage White and his
men to prolong their defense"
a RUMOR
London, Feb. IA dispatch to the
News from Lorenso Marques, dated
to-day, says that from Bocr sources
1t is reported that the British are at
taolSing the Boey position at Vaal
Krant2, and That the Beers are still
holding The position
This report is probably identical with
The bomhardinent of BiauwlSrantz an
nounced yesterday.
ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT.
Montreal Feb. IA cable dispatch
to the STAR. dated Jacobsdal, February
10, says the Royal Canadian regiment
was given show in the operations,
which have resulted in the occupation
OF Jacobsdal by the British forces. The
Canadians were in the Ninth division,
and participated in an attack on Wa
teriicld. In the advance from Waited
raal six Canadians fell out, and are
either in tho hospital or captured.
DISPATCH FROM KRUGER.
New York. Feb. ia dispatch which
President Kruger is said To have sent
to The Hague since the successful
movement OF General French for the
relief of Kimberley reached Il former
Official of Holand in this city to-day.
The message, which was apparently
sent With view of quieting the appre-
tensions of the friends of the Beers
reads:
'No uneaslncss. Federal operations
west fully planned"
The recipient of this dispatch, who
couceals his identity from the public.
received and published II dispatch an
nouncing the defeat of the British at
ipion Kop twentyfour hours before
NE ncWS OF tnat eVUNI WIS HIuue
known through British sources.
Beers CAPTURE GREAT BOOTY.
Pretoria, Friday. Feb. 16.-It appears
from further reports of yesterdays
fighting at JacoAsdal that 1000 British
Troops Sot through the Federal position
ut Modder River ana entered 1iimber-
ley. The Federals intercepted the rear
guard of The British and captured great
booty, many oxen and number of
prisoners.
4 DRAWN BATTLE.
London, Feb. 1S.-A special dispatch
from Birds River reports q drawn fight
between Brahant's Horse and the Boers
ut Dordrecht February &c. The engage
ment lasted eight hours until dark
ness set in. The British loss was eight
killed and four wounded. The Boer
casualties are unknown. The latter
had burned the grass around the posi-
ton. 50 that the British khaki uniform
showed UP distinctly, against the black
background.
WILL SEE THE POPE.