Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-26


-----=
London, April 23.-Ihe Standard
publishes long dispatch from Bloom,
fontein dated Friday, explaining the
numerous difficulties which tend to
delay the advance to Pretoria, The
correspondent says: Enormous
transport difficulties are enhanced by
the rainy weather and by the neces-
sity Of providing for the needs of the
army for weeks, perhaps months, in
/ case of AN interruption of the long
| line Of communications, together viii!
the unsettled state of the country y
our rear and the guerrilla tactics Of
the enemy. 1t is obvious that until
our tanks are cleared and no longer
lrenaced no forward movement is pos
sible without incurrina The rravesi
risks. The most pressing need Is
further supply Of horses
IN Strength OF the Iioer Forces.
London, April 23.-The Lorenz1
Marques CORES pondent of the Times
under Saturdays date, says "lnfor.
nation received from responsible
sources show that at one time the
two republics had 10000 men in tile
field, including the colonial rebels.
According to the same informant they
can still master $4,000, of whom $4,000
are in the Free State, 10000 are in
Biggarsberg district, and 5000 in the
districts of Fourteen Streams and
klerk's Dorp. 1t is now believed that
before the war the burgher lists Were
deliberately falsified in order to de-
ceive the British intelligence depart.
mcnt.'
Maseru, Basutoland, April 3d.
Gen. Brabant's advanced guard
reached Bushman's kop Saturday
evening. The Beers held strong
POSITION there with two guns. The
engagement opened at sunrise Sun
Gay with heavy rifle fire. At $3.50 a.
IN. eannonading began and continued
tor several hours. Gen Brabrant's
forces are on the plain and have
fairly open country all the way to
Wcpener. Evidently the Beers re-
attacked Col. Dalgety yesterday.
(ol. Dalgety photographs; "All well.
Boers fired 300 shells yesterday with
out doing much damage"
Report That Gen. Dewet 1. Killed.
London, April 23.-The Daily News
has the following from Lourcnzo Mar
Qnes, dated Friday, April 20: at is
reported here that Gen DeWct has
been killed. Other European ambu,
lance corps besides the Irish Ameri-
can are taking up arms in behalf of
the Beers. The latter are unable to
obtain smokeless powder Trenches
are being constructed for eight miles
around Pretoria There are 60 Guns
in position nj kroonstad and seven
French guns at Pretoria. Twenty |
five mines at Johannesburg have
been charged with dynamite and the
Johannesburg fort has been disman-
ted
Irish Rifles Capture Free State Flag.
Walkerstroom, near Dewet's Dorp,
April 23-Fighting was continued
Saturday, mainly with artillery. The
yeomanry and mounted infantry
pushed forward on the right flank and
were subjected to Smelling and
heavy rifle fire. The Royal Irish rifles
captured a Free State flag. The Beers
are well entrenchcd and hold their
ground tenaciously, The British cas-
ualties have been light.
May Have Tough, q Battle.
London, April 23.-It is quite prob
able that by this time Gen. Sir Henry
Rumble has fought n decisive battle
with the Beers. He intrenched him
self Saturday to await the arrival of
Gen. Campbell with the Sixteenth
brigade. That commander arrived
Saturday evening and news may
therefore be expected at any moment.
High Price Of Provisions In Bloemt onte,n.
Kimberley, April pa letter from
Rloemfontein says that the Free
staters are coming money out of the
British occupation Bread is two
loaf, sugar two shillings
ana slXpence per pound and Swiss
milk three shillings TIM Other ar.
tlcles are proportionately high.
------------