THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10601, 10 March 1900, Page 6

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THB VICTORY AT OSFONTEIN.

HASTY RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. BRITISH FORCE MOVING EASTWARD. INVASION OP THE TRANSVAAL. A FLYING COLUMN SENT THROUGH ZULULAND. NORVAL'S PONT SEIZED BY THE BRITISHAFFAIRS AT MAFEKING. 6TEYN URGING THE STORMING OF THE TOWN. THE FREE STATE HARD PRESSED. CRONJE TO BE SENT TO ST. HELENA.

United Pros. Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, March 8. The Boers who took part in the engagement at Osfontein numbered 10,000.

LORD ROBERTS'S HEADQUARTERS.

Poplar Grove, Lord Roberts's headquarters, is twenty miles eastward of Osfontein.

A HASTY R2TREAT

Commandant De Wet abandoned his guns, immense quantities of forage, and many tents, as lie dreaded the British would cut the -ihe of comrmunication with Bloemfontein. .

HOW THE BOERS WERE OUTFLANKED.

LONDON, March 9. The mounted troops at Osfontein far outstripped the supporting infantry.

The enemy extended south-east and fired volleys at the cavalry at 800 yards range. General French then swept southwards, again outflanking the Boers, who, after -gain firing volleys, continued their headlong flight, going eastward.

The police -from Bloemfontein are powerless to prevent the Free Staters becoming demoralised. They have declared they are uuwillitfg to fight any longer.