Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-03-08

Sooli ShGlISiy ueJOuu COuCTOl. lC SCruCk
the engine of the oncoming freight
srain with terrific crash.
MARTIAL LAW is DECLARED BY SIR
ALFRED MILNER.
ommander-in-Chief Keeping His Own
Counse1-British Force Starts From
Kimberley to Raise Siege of Mafeking.
Buffers Casualty List.
LONDON, March 6.-Mafeking is to be
relieved as soon as the British force
already on the way from Kimberley can
raise the siege. This force is described
vaguely as strong The Kimberley
Light Horse is mentioned as a com
ponent. In view of the fact that the
Kimberley Light Horse is under the
control of the De Beers company, Lord
Roberts visit to Kimberley probably
had to do with an arrangement with
Cecil Rhodes to use this company of
troops
Mr.. Rhodes and Colonel Kekewich
have had differences of policy, it ap-
pears, which did not end with the re-
lief of Kimberley "What shall do
with him?" Colonel Kekewich is said to
have wired to Lord Roberts, who half
humorously replied, according to a
story circulated at the clubs, s'Put him
in chains
Fresh intelligence as to what Lord
Roberts is doing has ceased again. This
silence is taken to mean that something
has happened or is about to happen.
Boer raiders are uncommonly active
in the northwestern section of Cape
Colony, where they are stirring up the
Dutch. Martial law has consequently
been declared.
Mr.. Chamberlain s request for $500
additional Australian bushmen is under
stood to be explained by the fact that
the war Office requires this force for
the pursuit of irreconcilable Beers, who,
according to the intelligence depart
ment, have been quietly collecting great
quantities of ammunition and stores in
the mountain Businesses of the Zout-
pansberg district in the north of the
Transyaal. where they are preparing to,
carry on guerrilla warfare.
The mobilization of powerful fleet
began yesterday evening at Torbay-
Fifteen battleships arrived.
Situation at Osfontein.
A dispatch to The Standard from o.
fontein, dated March A, says: s.Lord
Roberts army now occupies a most adj
vantageous position. The Sixth diyi-
sion, under General Kelly-Kenny, is
posted on the right and holds all the
kopjes for a distance of five miles south
OF the Modder. The Seventh division,
under General Tucker, is in the center
Immediately south of the river, and
General Colville, with the Ninth diyi-
sion, is on the north bank. The cav
airy brigade under General French, is
posted on the left front and the mounted
infantry, under Colonel Ridley Martyr.
on the right front.
"The country around consists of wide
grassy plains, broken only by ridges and
isolated lopjes.
!" body of the enemy has taken up a
position on one of the latter, fiat
topped hill to the north of the river, five
miles beyond General French, who to-
day took out horse artillery and shelled
them. Another force. 1000 strong,
holds an isolated group of kopjes south
OF the Modder and in front of the Brit
ish mounted infantry Their position
is surrounded on all sides by level
plains, over which the Beers must make
their way in order to reach the river.
AS consequence their situation appears
precarious in the extreme.
'The British cavalry and mounted
infantry have been accommodating the
enemy's position. There has been little
fighting
Joubert In Command.
A dispatch to the Standard from Os-
fontein, dated March 4, says: General
Joubert is reported to be in supreme
command of the Boer forces here.
The British advanced camp is now at
Oorlogspoort river, several miles be-
yond Achtertang.
A dispatch to The Daily Telegraph
from Osfontein, dated Sunday, says:
''The Boer front covers Is miles to the
south of Modder river
General Buffers revised list of casual
ties from Feb. II to Feb. ~ gives 90
men killed, 6S4 wounded and 25 miss
ing.
A dispatch to The Times from Bulu-
wayo, dated Feb. ~, says: "Colonel
Plumer yesterday occupied the position
at Crocodile Pools which the Beers
evacuated on Feb. 20. 1t is not known
whether the enemy have taken another
position or have been ordered to retreat
owing to events in the SOUTH
Abandoning Cape colony.
LONDON, March 7.-The Beers in
northern Cape Colony are in full retreat
to the Orange Free State. The posses
sion of Stormberg puts General Gatacre
in railroad communication with General