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Show London, Feb. 11. The news of the day is the enforced retirement of the British from the Coksberg district under un-der heavy Boc-r pressure, and probably after brii'k fighting. Thus, at a time when Lord Roberts is apparently abie to push an army into the Free State, the Boers make a counter stroke in unknown un-known but seemingly great force, not far from the vital line of railway connecting con-necting De Aar and Orange river. Military observers do not regard this as more than a menace. Nevertheless, the n&v-'s produces an unpleasant impression im-pression here. General French had maneuvered the Boers out of Rensburg in December. On Jan. 1 it was reported that he could take Colesborg in two days with reinforcements. These were sent, but the Boers were also reinforced. rein-forced. Since theii the British lines have been extendi d east and west, so that at the opening of this week they constituted a great horseshoe, twenty-five twenty-five miles in length. The lines were not continuous, but all the strong positions po-sitions were held. General French, when he joined Lord Roberts, presumably took most of his cavalry. General Clements was left with the infantry to hold the Boers in check, but Commandant Delaney, with a double turning movement has compelled com-pelled the British to concentrate at Ronsburg, beside threatening Lord Roberts' communication. The Boer mastery of the district has caused a spread of the insurrection, but this, no doubt, will be promptly suppressed, as large British forces are available not far away. The indications as to General Buller's immediate intentions are contradictory. One ir-formant, who has intimate relations rela-tions with the war office, predicts a movement within the next day cr two. A number of correspondents who have been with General Buller, have gone to Durban for a few day's retst. under the impression that nothing is to be done immediately. The war office has directed the Eighth division of 10,000 men, to prepare to go out. . |