The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-07
DEEP MYSTERY
DISASTER AT REDDERsBURG THAT
HAS NOT BEEN EXPLAINED.
Five Companies of British Troops
which Were Guarding the Rail-
way Have Disappeared.
MESSAGE FROM LORD ROBERTS
sANOTHER UNFORTUNATE OCCUR
RENCE- REPORTED.
Gatacre Unable to Find the Missing
Men, and His Lordship Thinks
They Have Been Captured.
B0ERs TAKEN BY METHUEN
FIFTY SURROUNDED ON A KOP AND
FORCED TO SURRENDER.
GEN. De vilIebois Mareuil, n French
Soldier OF Fortune and Chief of
stan, Among the Killed.
DESP0NDENCY IN LONDON
MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN
AGAIN CRITICISED.
GEN. De viIlebois Mareuil, n French
Soldier OF Fortune and Chief of
stan, Among the Killed.
DESP0NDENCY IN LONDON
MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN
AGAIN CRITICISED.
Lord Roberts I'm Danger OF Being
Hurled from the PEDESTAL of Fame
Last Saturdays Casualties.

LONDON, April z. 4:3O a. n.-Two impor-
tant dispatches were received from Lord
Roberts yesterday. One told of the loss
by capture at Reddersberg of five compa-
nies OF British troops, mostly Royal Irish
FusiIiers. and the other reported that Gen.
eral Methuen had killed General De VILE
bols Mareuil and taken fifty prisoners.
Not a word regarding the disaster at
Reddersburg has been allowed to come
through. except the dispatch of Lord Rob-
erts II is therefore impossible to form any
while the British public is beginning to
realize the immense difficulties to be over
come even before Pretoria is reached. and
is reviving premature ideas with respect
to the time when the war will be over. No
one believes now that 1t will have ended by
the beginning of June.
The latest disaster more particularly IL
lustrates the heavy task involved in hold
ing the railway. This body Of some 500
British troops. without guns. which disap-
miles of the great British army. had for its
business to guard a section of nearly nine
ty miles of railway between Bloemfontein
and Springfontein. If 1T could thus be
spirited away. how is Lord Roberts to in
sure his continually extending communica-
tions?
Other pertinent questions are being asked
as result of the successive unfortunate
occurrences The foremost is, why do not
the British forces intrench? 1t Is argued
that IL this had been done even 500 men
might have held out until reinforcements
could have arrived. 1t cannot be concealed
that the utmost alarm Is beginning to be
felt. 1t Is said that the Beers who cap
tured the British at Reddersburg belonged
TO Olivier's commando. II so, he has not
retired north. and hopes are expressed that
he may still be cut off.
Mr.. Spencer Wilkinson, reviewing the
military situation in the Morning Post,
says: 1.-THE Boer strategy at present may
have one or more OF several aims. The
idea OF cutting of the British detachments
is natural and obvious. So Is the plan of
striking at the railway south OF Bloem-
fcntein. The plan OF collecting a large
force In the hills near Thaba Nchu is that
OF a flank position The theory of 1t is
that a strong Boer force here would threat
en- the British communications when the
British advance is resumed. and there
fore. that Lord Roberts will have to at
tack and clear these hills before moving
forward II he moves east to attack them
the Boer forces from Kroonstadt would
move south against his communications.
The idea is sound enough, but Lord Rob-
erts may appreciate it well enough 70
avoid being drawn where the Beers wish
and to reply with a countermove which
may interfere with the Boer plans.''
II Is asserted that 1000 rebels surrendered
during General Clements northward
march. The Beers will do their utmost TO
hold Ladybrand and Thaba Nchu. both be-
Ing rich grain producing districts.
A correspondent OF the Morning Post at
springfontein. telegraphing Thursday.
says he Is glad to be able to report that
Increased precautions are being taken in
patrollins the railway. 1t said that most
OF the prisoners captured at Boshof are
foreigners.
The report that Mr.. Steyn had been ap-
pointed 10 the command OF the Free
Staters and the further report that the
Free State has arranged a loan from the
Transvaal for war purposes. are both con-
f1rmcd-
Ten thousnd remounts from South Ameri-
ca are due To arrive during the coming
week at ports OF Natal and Cape Colony
Another Boer version OF the fighting
with Colonel Plumer's forces says that
four officers and thirty men We're taken
prisoners at Ramathlabama. IL appears
that the names OF Cecil and Granville
which were originlly supposed 10 indicate
two Of the officers captured at the time
should have been read together as the
name OF the officer
AS numerous prisoners are now held
on both sides and the numbers are about
equal. the question of exchange was moot.
Cd I'm the House of Commons last even.
ing This ELECTED reply that the gov.
eminent had no intention OF proposing an
exchange.
w. +. Schreiner the Premier OF Cane
Colony. and r. Solomon. O. g.. the attor-
yey general Of the colony. are reported
from Cape Town to be engaged In q serious