Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1900 — BOERS HARD PRESSED [ARTICLE]

BOERS HARD PRESSED

OCCUPATION OF KROONSTAD BY ROBERTS’ ARMY. British Now Practically in Possession of the Orange Free State—-Baller Houts Burgher Force and Takes Defensive Positions on the Biggarsberg. As a resalt of his carefully planned and rapidly executed, maneuvers in the last week Lord Roberts on Saturday was able to announce that he had taken possession of Kroonstad, and the British public, which worried at his delay at Bloemfontein, may well conclude that his irritat--Ing deliberation has been justified by the results. The first week of the present month saw Lord Roberts’ force advanced one-fourth of the distance toward Pretoria; the second week sees him cover another great stride on the »»ad to the Transvaal capital. So far an b shown in the cabled reports the Boers have employed their usual tactics. They have madfc but a show of resistance, steadily retreating rather than sustain an actual defeat, and always evading the British general’s efforts to encircle their position. The comparative ease with which Roberts has been allowed to make his advance correspondents ascribe to the fact that his force, greatly superior in numbers, has been able at each contested point to oppose* to the burghers a line so much longer than their own as to menace them on the flank in spite of their marvelous mobility. The occupation of Kroonstad seems to put the British practically in possession of the Orange Free State. There is still a considerable force, it is understood,*upon the right of the British line, and it is not at all certain that bands of Boers may not continue for some time to operate in the east and southeast of the republic. The main force of the Boer army, however, it seems, is falling back rapidly toward the Vaal river. At that stream or in the country to the north—a country admirably adapted to Boer methods of defense—the last desperate struggles of the war are to be expected. Up to the present the Boer forces have succeeded in getting away with comparatively little loss, and unless the temper of the burghefs has suddenly changed it is hardly believed that in failing to make a decisive stand up to date they have not been acting in accordance with a definite policy designed to give them the opportunity to select their own battlefield for the final encounter. The British public will be cautious in accepting stories of “pacification” among the Free Staters. Heretofore, it will be remembered, a rapid advance on the part of the British either has been followed by a long delay for needed recuperation or some uncomfortably brilliant strategic maneuvers on the part of the Boers. London military critics expect that Lord Roberts will push forward toward the Vaal river without much delay. The British troops are reported to be in excellent condition, despite the rapid marching and hard fighting of the part fortnight. They are eager to attack the Transvaalers on their own soil. It is expected that heavy fighting will take place on the Vaal, unless Lord Roberts, having advantage of a very broad front, succeeds in finding an undefended crossing for a considerable section of his army. Gen. Buller’s advance commenced Thursday, when he left Ladysmith in strength. When within two miles of Helpmakaar the Boers opened a heavy artillery fire and the British guns replied, while a portion of Buller’s troops worked round the Boer flanks. The British attack was pressed home Sunday. Bethune, on the right, outflanked the Boers, whose splendid defensive positions on the Biggarsberg were practically taken. Gen. Buller’s march subsequent to the attack was carried out without a hitch. It is reported that Gen. French is already moving northward, along the Free State Railway. Gen. Rundle and Gen. Brabant have assumed the offensive in the Thabanchu region and seem to be driving the Boers before them toward Ficksburg.