The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-07

Lord Roberts words are being con-
strued into pledge against annexation
and Lord Roberts proclamation into a
promise of no confiscation of Boer pro-
perty-
The Transvaal agency at Brussels
threatens a rising of the Cape Dutch in
the event of annexation, though why the
Dutch should rise then rather than now
is not explained
Mr.. A. G. Hale, the Daily News cor
respondent who was captured by the
Beers on February 9, was released at
Bloemfontein and put through the lines
near SterkstrOom. He telegraphs that
the Beers are demoralized, but adds
that they have been treating the British
wounded splendidly.
CAPE COLONY DUTCH REBEL.
Cape Town, March 6.-Nearly the
whole of the Dutch population of the
Preiski and Kenhardt district are in
rebellion. Many of the Dutch from
neighboring districts are reported to
have Joined them, notably Piet Mool-
man, who viii lead the rebels.
Many women who are reported to be
good shots are among the Boer prison
ers here.
The Dutch church has issued a mani
feStO in favor of the Boer republics re-
tanning complete independence.
BULLER PUSHING FORWARD.
London March For lack of news
from Field Marshal Lord Roberts at
tention turns to Natal. 1t is reported
that Gen. Butler has pushed forward a
force along the HarriSmith railroad line
toward Van Reenans Pass using the
railroad freely for communication. It
appears that the Beers intend to take
up a strong position in the Biggarsberg
range and contest the Glencoe passes,
although it hardly seems likely that
Gen. Butler will attempt to force these
for the present. His plans, however, are
kept almost as secret as those of Lord
Roberts.
While waiting for the important de-
velopments which. are daily expected to
occur in the Free States, rumors of
peace recur. The second edition of the
Times today contains dispatch from
Cape Town, which says there is cry
ing need for an explicit statement by
the British ministry that nothing short
of annexation is intended in order to
damp the miSchievouS agitation that is
going on under the pretext of a demand
for peace
Another report of the casualties sus-
tained by Gen. Buffers forces from Feb
ruary IA to February 27, shows:
Killed 123; wounded 573; missing "a.
OF these the losses of the Inniskillings
were as follows:
Killed 54; wounded 1852: missing %.
Dublin fusiliers-Killed Is; wounded
II; missing IS.
Connaught rangers-Killed 19;wound-
ed 105; missing g.
Royal Irish fusiliers-Killed Il;
wounded 63; missing 2.
Scots fusiliers-Killed IS; wounded 6S:
missing none
With the loss of casualties issued
Monday, this makes the total cost to
the rank and file in the final relief of
Ladysmith 1859 men.
SOME ONE BLUNDERED.
Head Boer Laager, Biggersberg,
March 3.-The federals have fallen
back on the Biggersberg chain that
crosses Natal south of Dundee The
retreat from Ladysmitn was due to the
70 of to
dering his men to retire from the key
of the position without any reason for
the move. On the receipt of bad news
from the MOdder river Wednesday, it
was resolved to send the wagons back
to Biggersberg and soon long strings of
OK wagons lined the roads. over
thousand wagons took the westerly
route to the laager southwest of Lady
smith. Another convoy was sent to
the foot of the Drakensberg. A large
number of tents captured from the
British at Dundee and also the aInmu-
milton We're abandoned. The chief diff
Guilty was in dismounting Long Tom -
BRITISH CROSS THE VAAL.
London, March 7.-7:16 p. ma spe-
cial dispatch from Durham says fly
ing column of British troops from Zulu
land has entered the Transvaal and has
been daily skirmishing with small par
ties of Beers.
The force consists Of mounted infan-
try, Natal scouts and artillery, all COM
manded by Major Prendergast. The
column first crossed the border on Feb
ruary 2S It now occupies an entrench-
ed position on Catasa hill nine miles
within the TransvaaL
''BOBS'' HAS EN- GOING.
London, March Lord Roberts tele-
graphs from Osfontein:
Advanced March z. Enemy in full
retreat followed by our troops. Casu-
| alties few
ROBERTS CAUGHT THEM MAPPING
London, March Field Marshal
Lord Roberts has telegraphed as fol-
lows:
"Osfontein, March 7-4:3O p. m-Our
operations today promise to be a great
success. The enemy occupied a position
four miles north and eleven miles south
of the MOdder river. 1 placed Gen. Col
villes division on the north bank and
Gen. kelly-kenny' and fuckers diViS-
ions, with cavalry on the south bank
The cavalry division succeeded in turn
ing the enemy's left flank, opening a
road for the Sixth division, which is ad-
Vancing without having been obliged t.
fire a shot up to the present time. The
enemy are in full retreat towards the
north and east. They are being closely
followed by cavalry horse artillery and
mounted infantry, while fuckers divis-
ion, Colville's Ninth division and the
Guard s brigade under Pole-C CareW. are
making their way across the river at
Poplar's drift where I propose to place
my headquarters this evening.
Our casualties viii, I trust be few as
the enemy were quite unprepared for
being attacked by the flank and having
their communications with Bloomfon-
tein threatened
ACHE TuIc TIME