The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-25
All that Part of Cape Colony North of
the VaaI River Attached to the
Orange Republic.
BASUTOS CAUSING TROUBLE
BOERS TRYING TO INCITE BLACKS
AGAINST THE BRITISH.
Details of the Fight Near Mafeking
situation at Kimberley and
Other Threatened Points.

LONDON, Oct 2i.--The Colonial Office has
received a cablegram stating that President
Stevn of the Orange Free State, has issued
a proclamation annexing that part of Cape
Colony which is north of the Vaal river. This
means Griqualand and West Bechuanaland.
and is apparently in consequence of the Free
State forces having seized the railway and
all stations north of Kimberley except
Mafeking. unless Mafeking has fallen since
the last news from there. which is week
old.
The Daily Telegraph has the following
from De Aar, Cape Colony, dated Monday
evening: "The Trsnsvaal government are
about issuing proclamation declaring the
district north of the Vaal river and in
Guiding Bechaunala and to be Boer territory.
''Commandant Cronje. who has been
twice repulsed at Mafeking. is said to be
advancing on Kimberley and to be Impress
ing men and seizing stores and munitions
in British territory. He left small force
investing Mafeking. The Free State Beers
are moving westward in order to join him
for an attack on Kimberley.
"The dispatch riders who are coming
down the Orange river from Kimberley are
performing thrilling feats. They ride
through Boer lines under cover of darkness
and get to the Orange river without TAX
ing any rest save for change of horses.
The distance is sixty miles. One rider who
got into Kimberley last Friday was chased
seventeen miles by Beers, narrowly escap-
ing with his life. The same man returned
safely with dispatches to Orange river to-
day. When he reached point thirty miles
from Kimberley his horse fell and kicked
two of his fingers against rock, but de-
spite this painful wound the gallant fellow
made a good journey here. He reports that
the Beers are three miles from Kimber-
ley, but are afraid to attack the place and
are awaiting the arrival of Commandant
Crorje.
mo Beers are to be seen south of Bel
mont. which is twcnty miles north of the
Orange river. The defeats in Natal are taxi
ing all the fight out of them and they will
not attack the British troops, though they
may defend a few positions. Indeed, it is
believed here that the heaviest fighting of
the war is over excep. for a battle near
Pretoria"
THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY.
Later advices received from Cape Town
say: "A dispatch from Kimberley, dated
Oct. q. and brought by dispatch rider to
the Orange river, has just arrived here. II
in x m
changed. The siege continues. Yesterday
the armored train found the enemy in the
same position in the Spytfontein neighbor.
hood The prisoners who were captured
when the armored train was destroyed by
the Beers at Kraalpan are now reported
alive and well treated
1.-The Beers hoisted the flag of the Trans
vaal over Vryburg Oct. IS. and are about
issuing a proclamation that Bechuanaland
now forms part of the Transvaal. This Is
regarded as move on the part Of the en-
emy to induce the colonial Dutch to join the
republic without ipcurring the risk hereafter
of the charge of high treason. If the Beers
are ultimately defeated. Colonel Keckwich
on hearing of 1t, Immediately issued &
proclamation notifying the people that II
any British subject were found assisting hei
Majesty's enemies. either directly or indi
rectly such person would be punished sum
marily as a base rebel. Several arrests oi
Cape Dutchmen were made here yesterday
The Colonial Office this evening published
cable dispatch received from the British
high commissioner in South Africa, Sir AL
fred Miner *. NJ. c., significant dispatch
from Sir Godfrieo Lagden, the resident com
mander in Basutoland, calling attention Il
the recklessness OF the Basutos, who, h,
says, he has been trying to calm. The resi-
dent commissioner adds: "Our policy, how
ever, has been made difficult by the buster
ing of the Beers, who have freely threatened
TO attack Masuru and other stations. Thes,
threats, combined with intriguing, have
contributed 10 .ouse excitement among tn,
natives. / wish 10 place ii on record tha
the Boers have unwisely attempted to shake
the allegiance of the Basutos and frustrat,
our efforts toward tranquility. The Beers
therefore are responsible for any commo
ton and for the alarm regarding native in
vasions which now prevails
The following advices have been received
from Maseru. Basutoland, dated Oct. %, am
cabled here from Cape Town: "A reliable
native lately visited a laager of Orang
Free State troops just opposite Maseru. II
found il TO consist of wagons, surroundet
by turf piled three feet high. He notice,
only few Mausers. The Boer commandan
questioned him regarding the feeling of tn
different Basuto chiefs, principally the para
mount chief, Lorothodi and in order 4
draw the commandant, the native reptile,
that the chiefs sided with the Beers. There
upon the commandant said the two repub
lies wished to kill the Britishers and TO TAX
over and govern the Basutos. restoring t
the latter that part Of the country whicl
the Free State formerly took from them A