Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1900-05-11
SITUATION Of BOER WAR
ENGLISH HOLDING THEIR OWN
Beers In Strong Positi0ns-Lord
Roberts Protest-Mrs. Kruger a
PatriOt-Geh. CronJe Landed ON
Island of st. Helena.

Island of st. Helena.
London, April l6.-Natiyes report at
Kimberley that Colonel Douglass engaged
the Beers near warts Kop and succeeded
in driving them back. The British casu-
alties were light.
Elandslaagtc reported that there had
been no traces of the Beers in that neigh
borhood for the past two days. Their
progress southwark has been effectively
barred by the British occupation OF Jone,
nos kop on the left and Umbulwana on
the right. The belief that the Boer action
recently was due to restlessness and dis
satisfaction in the ranks is confirmed by
natives, who say that the Beers have been
ready for some time and wanted the Brit.
ish to attack them. In order to force tins
the Beers commenced shelling, at the same
time sending a force to make thanking
movement ON the left. The natives also
confirm the statement that one of the Boer
heavy guns was put out of action and
the gunners driven off.
The scouts have located the Beers in
a strong position II miles northeast of
the British advanced position at Bloem-
fontein.
Lord Roberts has strongly protested to
President Kruger against the treatment
of prisoners, sick and wounded, in the
hands of the Beers, and has formally de-
manded the observance of the Geneva
convention.
+
the Boers are preparing, in the event of
Pretoria being captured, to make a last
stand along the line reaching from Ley
denburg along the mountains into Swat.
land. A traveller recently arrived at
Bloemfontein says that the Beers are en-.
, ergetically working to persuade the
Swazis that the British cause is lost and
are seeking to ingratiate themselves, hop
ing to secure footing in Swaziland
; peacefully or to seize hold of the country
| if necessary.
Mrs. Kruger, on being interviewed, said
: that she trasted God would soon stop the
merciless bloodshed, but that the republic
would be VIGOROUSLY defended even il
Pretoria were finally taken. She added
that she had had in the field % grand
sons, two of whom were killed, four sons
six sons-in-law and numerous other rela
tives.
Reports From BOer Sources.
Leemokop, Southeast of Bloemfontein
April l5.-The Boer commando, which il
was feared had been cut off, has rendered
good account of itself with the Basuto
land police who had invaded the Orange
Free State. -Four British scouts who wer,
captured say that Bloemfontein is hare
pressed for water.
Commandant Dewet has received re
lport that the British who fled from
Smithtield southwark were severely pun
ished by the burghers of Rockville.
News received here from Johannesburg
Drift says a British force of about 1901
men, composed of Brabant's Horse, will
General Brabant commanding, is surround
ed at Robertson's Mills with remot,
chance of relief or effective resistance.
(The British force reported in the dis
patch above to be surrounded at Robert
sons mills is probably the force of colonia
troops previously referred to as surround
ed by the Beers near Wepener. TheA
British troops are not commanded by Gen
eral Brabant in person. Brabant was las
reported at Aliwalnorth with Kitchener
Gone to the Hague.
Milan, April lG.-The Boer peace com
missioners have started for The Hague
DIR. Leyds, diplomatic agent of the Trans
vaal, accompanied them as far as Brussels
British Troops Are at Denar.
DEAR, April l6-The main body of tn
Carnovoran field force, in command q
Colonel Parsons, including the Canada
artillery and the mounted rifles, have al
rived here after five weeks march fror
Victoria road by way of Kemhardt, dis
lance of more than 80 miles. They en-
countered no active opposition. Colon,
Parsons pacified the country, which wa
previously in rebellion.
Prisoners Are at st. Helena.
st. Helena, April l5.-General Croni
his wife and three of his staff, who wit
other Boer prisoners, arrived here April II
were landed. They were met by the go'
ernOr and commander in-chief of st. He
ena. General Cronje looks well and al
pears cheerful. The other Boer prisoner
will disembark Monday.