The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-12
BOERS FORCE
The FIGHTING.
British Are Hard Pressed at
Elandslaagte.
Beers Bring Their Big Guns
Into Action.
TWO HOURS BATTLE.
British Are Able to Hold the
Enemy in Check.
Many French and Germans En-
tering the Transvaal.

London, April PA special dispatch
from Elandslaagte, dated yesterday,
says:
Fighting was renewed beyond FL
andslaagte this afternoon The Beers
steadily advanced upon the British po-
sitions. There was a continuous rifle
fire and the Boer big guns were in ac-
tion. The British replied effectively
and after two hours fighting the Beers
We're checked"
TRANSVAAL COMMISSIONERS.
Naples. April 12.-The Transvaal COM
missioners, accompanied by DR.. Muller
and JonkhOrr Van ROeschOten, started
this morning for Milan.
COMMANDMENT LASTED ALL DAY.
London. April 12-Elandslaagte and
Wepener still monopolize attention. At
both places a series OF indecisive ac-
fiOns are occurring. The Boer report OF
the fight on April 10 at Elandslaagte
AYERS that the advance on the British
camp was made with the loss of only
three mules and two horses. while the
British losses. says the same report,
must have been heavy. The lombard
ment lasted ali day.
Nothing has been learned regarding
the rumor of Col. Baden Powells death
nor is there anything tending to show
now long the general advance towards
Pretoria viii he delayed.
In the absence of exciting develop
ments public interest centers more up
on the personality Of the new comman-
ders and in the suppOsitions as to who
the next general viii be to be sent
home.
The sailors of the Powerful are COM
ing in for enthusiastic greetings equal
ling that which met them on the first
arrival at Portsmouth yesterday when
young and old women kissed officers
and men indiscriminately as they came
off the dock
BRITISH ARE SURROUNDED.
Pret9ria, Wednesday, April 11-Ad-
vices fr0rp Wepener, where a British
force is surrounded, says the battle
continues favorable to the federaIs
About 1900 British troops are said to
he there.
A heavy cannonade was heard this
morning in the direction of BullfOntein,
situated midway between Winburg and
Boshof in the Orange Free State and
north of Brandfort
Advices from the Boer headquarters
IN Natal say that after a heavy bonn
bardment the British are retiring in the
direction of Ladysmith and the federals
are going to their old positions.
NO SUBSTITUTES ALLOWED.
Pretoria, April 1.-THE Free State
Gazette, publishes orders to the effect
that no person who has been comman-
dered for active service, has the right
to send a substitute without the con-
sent of the landrost.
In reference to leaves Of absence the
Gazette says that 10 per cent of each
command viii be relieved by ballot for
periods of u days This is intended to
meet the wishes of the burghers desir-
ing to plant their crops.
STRATHCONA TROOP AT CAPE
TOWN
Cape Town, April 12-The British
steamer hToVfa7.ar
sailed from Halifax. March II. with
Lord Strathcona and Mount ROYALS
contingent of Canadian troops on board
has arrived here.
BOERS WANT TO FIGHT.
Bloemfontein. April 11-Accordfng TO
information received here the Boer 0ac-
uVlty eastward of the railroad and in
proximity to the border is largely due
10 the fact that Presidents Kruger and
steyn have found they are unable to
keep their forces together in inactivity.
the Durghers declaring they are unwii-
ling to remain with their commands nm
less actively employed. as they are con
Nlnced the British game is a waiting
one 1t IS believed the Boer movement
was originally designed to oblige Lord
Roberts to weaken his force at Rloen-
Iontein in order to protect the railroad
when the Beers would have ATTEMPTED
10 recapture the capital. But the burg
hers.a are evidently ignorant of the enOr-
nous forces Lord Robrts has at his dis
posal. ---
Advices from Karee siding say the
Boers are busily entrenching their nosi-
non east OF BrandfOrt running parallel
with the railroad while still st1o-1e-1,i
works. water
METHUEN'S REPORT
London, April 12-The war ofFica has
received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts: iIoiil
Bloemfontein, April 11.-AIetb,Ian ra-
ports that the party of Beers defeated
April made a good resistance 80 q et ltu
hours, and only gave in when orr tr,1C,,e
with fixed bayonets We're within fffaa,
yards Of them. Seven of the ens1,,+
We're Killed eleven wounded and fiftv-
one made prisoners. Besides T,iA11ts,.
ants Boyle and Williams. Sergeant Pat =
rick Campbell was killed and two ~
our men were wounded. Williams -
KILLED deliberately after the white fis 9
u 4au Deen held up The perpetrator ot
lhe crime was at once shot
Methuen speaks in high terms of +be
utsillgent manner in which the inna.
RAJ yeomanry and the Kimberly
mounted corps behaved.
Butler reports that the erarnv 90
tackled his right flank Yesterday Viii,
ne was engaged in changing his posi
ton, but our artillery silenced ma,
guns and they did not press the AZ
tack. our losses were four killed ant
eight wounded.
There is no further news vet fro,
Wepener." II oii
The correspondent of the Daily Mai
az Lorenzo Marques, telegraphin,
Wednesday, says:
The departure of the Chica ,yo. ar,l,,,
lance corps for Pretoria. was delave,
on suspicion Of hlibustering. The mem
Ders ie1t by a special train this after
noon, accompanied by a motley follow
ing of French and Germans. one bun