The evening times., 1900-06-13

LONDON. June I3.-General Roberts
forces have again worsted the Beers whG
took advantage of the British halt for re-
cuperation in Pretoria, and temporarily
cut off the lines of communication.
General Roberts Immediate army has
had lively encounter with BOtha's troops
On the Middleburg road, and when the
eommander-in chief left the field the
burghers seemed on the point of giving
up the struggle. Methuen and Kitchener
have gained a signal victory over De Wei
and that generals men have been scat
tered in all directions.
Roberts gives the details OF his opera
tions in the following despatch to the
War Office.
Pretoria, June 12-CS:OS D. m-).-
Pretoria and johannesburg are per-
fectly quiet. Several OF the Inhabitants
have expressed their gratitude at the
peace and order that is prevailing
After suTrendering the city, BOgha
retired 10 place about fifteen miles
east on the Middleburg Road. He had
a small force at first, but during the
last few days the numbers increased.
His being so near the town kept up
the excitement in the country and pre-
ven led l. e burgheTS from laying DOWN
their arms and also interfered with
the collection Of supplies Therefore,
il became necessary 10 attack them.
This | did. He held a very strong po-
sition which was practically unassaila-
BILE in front and which enabled him TO
place the main portion OF his troops on
his fianks which he knew from former
experience We're his vulnerable parts
Il sent French with POrter's and
Dickson's Cavalry Brigadef and Hut
tons Mounted Infantry round by our
left and Ian Hamilton with Broad
woods and GordOn's Cavalry Brigade,
Ridley's Mounted Infantry and Bruce
Hamilton's Infantry Brigade round by
our right.
Both columns met great opposition,
but about O'Clock in the afternoon l
saw two of Hamilton's infantry battal-
ions advancing TO what appeared TO be
the key Of the enemy's defence on their
left flank. This was almost gained be-
fore dark. l ordered the force 10 biv-
ouac on the ground they had Won.
"Pcle-Carew with his division Occu-
pisd our centre. As I have explained,
he could not attack but gradually ad-
vanced so as to support Ian Hamilton
and when l left the field he was on a
line held by the enemy's outpOsts in
the morning.
I hurried back 70 get news Of Meth
uen's movements. On hearing that the
Free StateTs had taken advantage OF
our crossing the Vaal 20 interrupt our
lines OF communication. I sent Kitche-
ner with such troops as could then be
spared with orders to push south and
communicate with Methuen who,
knew, had a very compact force in the
vicinity Of Hebron. I also despatched
a special messenger to Methuen TO
push on with all speed TO the main rail-
way line.
These two officers met at the Vrede-
fort Rad station on the evening OF
June 10. and marched yesterday TO
the Rhenoster River, where Methuen
gained complete victory over De Wet.
He took bis position in his compound,
and scattered his troops in all direc-
tions- He and Kitchener will march to-
day toward Kroonstad.
Her Msjesty's Government ne
have no apprehension as TO the secu-
rity of the army in South Africa. The
enemy has gained a slight success,
which is unfortunate, but this will be
remedisd very shortly, and It viii not
take very long TO repair the damage to
the railway, as the diversions are all In
tAlSltilCe.
Il am now able to hold the line be-
tween this point and Rhenoster in
strergth. Methuen viii arrange for a
guard onwards as he advances. Hun
ter should be at Potchefstr rom today.
From there he moves on Johannes
burg.
L have communicated with Butler,
VINO will no doubt soon make the pres
ence of his force in the field felt
Our losses yesterday were not.
trust. serious but ! deplore the death
of that gallant soldier the Earl Of
Airlie. The only ether casualties re-
ported are Major the Hon. l. For
tescue and Lieut.. the Hon. G. Caven-
dish, both killed. ROBERTS"
The fact that the despatch came from
Pretoria proves that the British line o
communication has been restored.
The War Office has also received iron
Colonel Knox, at KroOnstad. a messag
which says:
''Kroonstad is safe