The Irish standard., 1902-03-15
A GREAT BOER VICTORY.

A GREAT BOER VICTORY.
The worst disaster suffered by the
British this year was that which Lord
Kitchener reported with regret the
other day. Gen. Lord NIethuen, with
force of 1900 men, was attacked
after daybreak on March z by Gen.
Delarey while. marcing from Vryberg
to form a junction with Gen. Grenfell
at Lichtenberg, northwest of Pretoria.
The British general was wounded
and captured, four guns were taken,
and $50 of his troops, or more, surren-
dered to the Beers, who are said to
have been dressed in khaki uniforms
formerly Worn by the enemy. Three
British officers and SO men were killed:
five British officers and Y men were
wounded; and all the ammunition, bag
gage and supplies fell into the hands
Of the victors.
1t was a glorious victory for the
Beers and an ignominious defeat for
the British. The English people have
not yet recovered from the shock, and
more reverses are anticipated. It is
thought that Delarey, after defeating
Nlethuen, marched against Grenfelrs
column of 1900 men and treated them
the same way. No news has been
published regarding the fate Of Gren-
fell, but it is supposed on the continent
that Kitchener is considerably allow
ing the English to get over the effect
of the first defeat before he sends an
other dispatch of similar tenor.
There is great rejoicing among every
liberty-loving people, the Americans
included, over the late defeat of the
British. The Boer sympathizers in
this country were elated. Jubilant
friends of the burghers are congratu-
lating one another and saying that
angland's campaign for gold in South
Africa will be an utter failure. The
victory gives the Beers fresh heart
In the struggle, and thousands will
rush to join them from Natal and
Cape Colony. 1t is estimated that the
Boer forces in the field aggregate o.
600 men and that almost 10000 Afri-
canders have gone over to them since
the beginning of the year. Methuen
will be held as a hostage, and no more
barbarities, as in Scheeper's case, will
be perpetrated on Boer commandments
who may happen to be made prisoners.
The two Boer ENJOYS in Washington,
Vessels and Wolmarans, who visited
the state department last week to ask
this government to use it's influence in
compelling the British to observe the
articles of The Hague international
treaty for conducting a civilized war;
fare. speak in the highest terms of
Delarey. He it was who pounded
Methuen at Modder River and Mayors
fontein where Wauchope and his brave
Highlanders We're slaughtered. He
ranks with Botha and De Wet and is
rashly brave. With 300 men he kept
Roberts and his army of 10000 in
check between Bloemfontein and Kim
berly, and harassed him on the en-
tire march to Pretoria, giving the Boer
army chance to escape. Ie is aA
Orange Free Slater and was men,
Der of the Folkraad at the outbreak Of
the war. He served on the staff Of
Gen. Cronje for while and has been
busily engaged since the capture of
that hero at Paardeberg in leading the
burghers to victory.
Every one is now convinced that the
Boer war is not over, and that the Brit
ish will need more troops at the front.
A few more captures like that Of
Methuen and the Tory government Of
England will be glad to make over
lures for peace. AS long as Delarey is
at large the British conveys will not
be safe to leave headquarters. On the
25th of last month Delarey captured
500 British troops near Klerksdorp
after an engagement in which $50
British We're killed or wounded. 1t
was to capture him that Methuen and
Grenfell started out in two divisions
with $500 men. The world knows
what happened Methuen, and it will
soon know whether or not Grenfell
has been fortunate enough to escape
any better.
According to Kitchener's official re-
ports the number of Beers in the field
on July 8, 1901. was 1850. Accord