The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-28
No Startling News
From Seat of War.

London. March %, "a. MA gain
there is q persistent rumor that Mafe.
King has been relieved. The war Office.
however, declares that there is 90
confirm alton of the rumor and that 20
further news on the subject is at hand.
IL seems certain Msfekiue's only
chances lie 10 relief by the columns
supposed be advancing from the
south or IL the possibility that Colonel
Baden Powell is still strong enough to
attempt sortie. with view Of csptur.
Jog the Boer guns, ct q time when
Commandaut Snymap has Withdrawn
bis meu to opposs Colonel Plumer's
advance. All the reports regarding
the British operations in the FREQ State
continue most sstisfsotory
II is reported from L,reuso MARQUEE
that Pretoria is prepared to stand q
Siege Of two years. and that the Boer
women, frantic st the reverses 10 the
Boer arms, are eutressing to be sllo we'd
to shoot the British officers imprisoned
at Pretoria
II is announced from the Trausvaal
capital that the Italian govern ueut hss
declined to intervene.
A report from Kroonstsdt, o. F g..
via Pretoria that the Beers. under the
command Of Gen Olivier. had defeated
the British troops under Gen Ga,sore
10 the vicinity of Bethulie. is not
believed here. A dispatch to The Daily
News from Spriu gfonsein. dated Tues
day. March 20. says Gen Gatacre was
"all well'' aud adds that be and Gen
Brsbant had not lost dozen men in o
fortnight. The last advices also place
Gen Gatacre about 80 miles north of
Bsthulie. where the Boer report save
the defeat was Inflicted This, oom
bioed with the fact that 20 mention of
the affair was made by Lord Roberts,
iu bis dispatch Of March 21. confirms
the belief that the Krooostadt advioes
are errooeous
The reports OF skirmisbing nesr
Lob',si while apparently not inflioting
any serious loss 90 Colonel Plumer's
columns. cause grave anxiety 10 regard
to bic ability to reach Msfsking Fur.
thsr news from that quarter is soxiously
swaitsd. for 10 the six days that bsve
elapsed since tho last messages were
sent Of . serious engagement may
have occurred, though not Of Colonel
Plumer's seeking The Beers seem
determined not to give up their prey
st Mafekiog vi hout sierce struggle.
10 reply to the mayor of Cape
Towns request to- make "Mafekiog
relief day" . public holiday. Premier
Scbreiuer wrote May the holiday
come coon aod may q spirit Of general
good will snd kindly consider alton
prevail later"
The Times 10 its second edition,
publishsd . dispatch from Lorenso
Marquee which quotes President Steys
as saying. At Krooostadt. that the
Boers could continue the struggle for
elk moths logger
While the Bosrs sud British 10 the
Orange Free State are taking sdvau.
tsee OF toe period of inactivity to
enjoy . rest. those on tho borders Of
Natal are beginning to show activity.
A spscisl dispatch from Durbso says
tho town Of Pomsroy, 80 miles east Of
Lsdysmitb. hes been burned by the
Boers. A British detachment arriving
M Pomeroy - tie Beers evaous,ed tho
place shelled the hurghers. but they
succeeded 10 taking up . strong posi-
sioo in tho bills With . force estimated
to number 5000 men
II has bsen learned that no usw
peace overtures have been made to
Lord Salisbury. nor are any expected
st present BY Great Britain The tele.
graphic correspondence has been con6u
ed to the treatment Of prisoners. Lord
Salisbury. - already oabled, is holding
the presidents of the South Africa o
republics responsible for the welfare OF
British prisoners. The question of
safety Of Johauuesburg and the gold
mines there has not been raised.
The correspond denoe exchanged be-.
tween Lord Salisbury aud President
Kruger will shortly be given to psrlis.
meut.
Replying 10 the house Of commons
today to . series of questions on the
subject Of Gen Lord Me,hueo and bis
alleged disagreements With the officers
OF bis column, which have caused con
siderable scandal, the parliamentary
eseretsry Of the var Office. George
Wyodhsm, declared 90 charge bad
been brought against Gen Metbuen by
Col Cough or any other officer. Col
Cough. he added. has been iufor med
that an inquiry would be hold into bis
ease. Col Cough 10 alleged 70 have
i