The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-20
Lord Roberts's Troops Now Supplied
with Remounts, Equipment
and Much-Needed Tents.
METHuEN ARREsTING REBELS
CARRINGTON TRYING TO REACH
MAFEKING BY WAY OF BEIRA.
Gen. Hunter at B1OemfOntein-State
Department Notified that Chi
cagoans Joined the Beers.

LONDON, April 20. AIS a. ma deluge
of rain lasting ten days, has brought the
operations in the southeastern part of the
Free State almost to a standstill. The
creeks have become roaring rivers and the
roads are streams of mud.
A singular message. dated Bloemfon-
tein, April 10, 1855 a. m. and beginning
"yia press censor Bloemfontein," reports
an exchange of shots in the direction of
Dewets dorp. where the Beers are said to
be concentrating after their withdrawal
from Wepener.'
There is nothing else to indicate that the
investment of Wepener has been aban-
doned by the Beers. Notwithstanding the
rain, however. the British have made some
progress as Dewets dorp has been occupied
by them. probably by the advance of Gen.
eral Rundes division. Dewets dorp is
about twenty-four miles from Wepener.
An obscure message from AliwaI North,
dated April 10, says that General Brabant
has arrived there, but whether he re-
turned alone or with his troops, is not
clear. Boer reports from Aliwal North
aver that from 5000 to 10000 Beers are at
Wepener.
The Bloemfontein correspondent of the
Daily Chronicle telegraphing Thursday
says: 1.-THE requisite remounts and equip
ments have arrived and all the infantry
divisions now supplied with tents. The
Beers in the immediate neighborhood are
quiet. but both sides steadily pres
sing for the coming struggle. Lord Rob
erts is now ready. Several lots of con-
cealed arms and ammunition have been
discovered here this week. The epidemic
of enteric fever Is abating."
LADY ROBERTS AT BLOEMFONTEIN.
Another dispatch from Bloemfontein
says: During the last ten days there
has been constant rain and an enormous
quantity of water has fallen. These con-
dtions, although extremely uncomforta-
BILE SO far as the soldiers are concerned,
have had their advantages. for every dam
in the country round about Is filled and
the question of water, which hitherto dur
ing the march of the army, has been one
of great difficulty, is now practically
solved. The troops will be able to move
in any direction with a certainty of find
ing a suffcency of water The whole reg
ular and volunteer drafts have arrived.
and the Highland brigade is now at it's
full strength. Lady Roberts and her
| daughter have arrived at Bloemfonten."
| Extended reports of the Bloemfontein
concert, for the benefit of the widows and
orphans, have been cabled. No less than
seven separate accounts have been pub
lished in London to-day. The concert, the
weather and the bare statement that Lord
Roberts is ready to move are about the
only things that the censor has allowed
| to pass. and the correspondent who an
nounces that Lord Roberts is ready to
| move does not specify the direction in
which he is going.
| Dispatches from South Africa note the
| arrival of General Darlington at Beira,
| Portuguese East Africa, and reiterate the
report that the Beers intend to blow up the
Johannesburg mines. Weeks must elapse
before General Darlington will be able to
| concentrate his force on the borders of
the Transvaal or approach Mafeking. Ac-
cording to rumor in circulation at
| Lourenzo Marques Boer force has been
| sent to intercept Darlington. but 1t is
not thought to be of sufficient strength to
| cause anxiety.
MINES MAY BE DESTROYED.
| The Natal Mercury is responsible for
4
printing accounts of newly arrived refu-
gees. saying elaborate preparations for the
destruction of all the Johannesburg shafts
have been carried on under the supervision
| of the state mining engineer, who is alleged
| TO have requisitioned all the copper wire
| in the town for the purpose of making
| connections.
According to a dispatch from Ladysmith.
| dated yesterday, the Beers are much dis
concerted by the present condition Of af-
| fairs. Their fortifcations and forces. num-
bering about 1900 men, are spread over
| ridges in contemplation of British ad-
| vance through the Waschbank valley,
| north of Ladysmith, which has not been
| occupied. The Boer patrols very ac-
| tive, and are constantly laying traps.
| A dispatch to the morning Post from
Kimberley, dated Wednesday, says: Lord
Methuen has issued a proclamation for
| bidding civilians 10 carry arms without
! surrender all serviceable modern arms by
| May s. At present the military here are
mainly occupied in collecting arms and
arresting rebels, but everything points TO
an early resumption of activity
| A proclamation issued at Cape Town
| yesterday allows trading between Cape
| Colony and the occupied portion of the
| Orange Free State TO be resumed.
| A patrol of Cape police. near Boshof,
has captured two Beers, oxen, some wag-
ons and two hundred head of cattle.
Two Germans. who recently arrived at
| Cape Town. have been sentenced TO a
years imprisonment for having suspicious
possession of one hundred rifles and six
hundred Cordite cartridges.
The Ladysmith correspondent OF the
Daily Telegraph In dispatch dated April