Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-05-31

lord Roberts. The country in front
If them was clear Of Beers to Vii
icons drift. The Beers We're evacu-
ating all their positions south of the
vaal river and 5000 had already
crossed to the north bank Probably
Gen. French's cavalry is already re-
the fords of the Vaal.
War Office observers expect that the .
next dispatch from the field marshal
will be dated in sight of the Trans
vaal frontier. Mr.. Bennett Burleigh, |
wiring to the Daily Telegraph from
Vredsfort Thursday morning, said !
Lord Roberts would doubtless
Cross the Vaal
river by Saturday or Sunday. The
British outposts were then at Erste
Geluk, nine miles north of Vredsfort
and twentysix miles south of the
Vaal river. The railway is much
damaged. While the British in over
whelming force are thus rapidly ap-
proaching the Transvaal, the move
ments Of the Beers are enveloped in
mystery. The last Pretoria newspaper
to reach Lourenzo Marques was a
week old. Every one seeking to cross
the Portuguese border from the
Transvaal is searched for newspapers
and letters. Dispatches and mail let
tiers containing even harmless refer
fn 10 yxy0r Oysn
only news that has emerged from the
Transvaal during the last ten days
has come by word OF mouth Accord
ing to these oral reports yesterday the
Beers Were Quarreling
among themselves. TraDsvaal paper
money was circulating at 80 per cent
discount. Becket's firm was giving
1 pound in gold for five pounds in
paper Krouse and kIinke, the engi-
neers who opposed the blowing up Of
the mines, have been dismissed. Com
mandant Schultz had been appointed
to defend johannesburg, and all the
British subjects had been turned out.
Baden-Powell declines to act on the
suggestions of his friends that he
should return to England for rest.
He is determined to retain his active
command at the front. Advices from
Mafe!zing, dated May 20, say the
Beers are iytrenching at Polfontein,
seventeen miles east Of Mafeking. The
Northern railway is now repaired to a
point within four miles Of the town.
Ample supplies of food are coming in.
Col. Baden-Powell voluntarily gave up
fifty-three Beers and eleven wounded
to the Boer commandant, who thanked
him for his kindness.
Attacked Rebel Natives.
The Baratoons, stimulated by the
British successes attacked the rebel
natives at Reitfonten May 10 and
took much loot. They released SAM,
the old chief who had rendered good
service to the British in keeping MAIZE
king supplied with news of the Boer
operations. Two thousand Beers are
near Ficllsburg, besides small rowing
parties that come into contact with
the British while accommodating.
President Steyn was with these Beers
last Monday, organizing and inspect
ing them and drafting recalcitrants
into this service. The British are
sweeping the country far and wide,
Selling horses, cattle and grain. Yes.
terday President Steyn was reported
to be at Bethlehem with a small field
force appealing to the Free Staters to
defend their freedom and independ-
ence Apparently he and al the Free
staters he, can assemble
will Not Join
the transvaalers, but will remain in
the northwestern section of the Free
State. On Tuesday there was heavy
canonading at Merchant, near Bethle-
hem. The firing began at dusk. Why
and with what result IS not known at
Mazer, Basutol, and where the news
arrived yesterday. Gen. Rundle's d.
vision was still at Mommel Tuesday.
There was small Boer lager twelve
miles to the north of him, and beyond
this there was a larger one. The cor.
respondent sending this news, which
was wired from Winburg yesterday,
said that these Beers We're under
stood to be ready to surrender. and
that, in his opinion, the war in the
Free State was practically over. A
dispatch to the Clocolan, dated May
%, says: The eighth division has in
front Of it commanders headed of
IrOm the ITduSNdhls WHICH, W1lllc uCI
willing to surrender, do not know
where to 60. Their joint strength is
estimated at from 1000 to 1900 men. ;"
Beers Busy Fortifying.
The Times has the following from
Newcastle, dated May "a: ''The Beers
are fortifying q very large semi-circu-
lar position extending from Maiuba
to Pongway. Large numbers are busy
digging and several large guns are
visible Gen. Butler has communi-
Gated to the colonial government Col.
BethIen's report of the squadron Of
sBethueM's horse at Yryheid. He says:
This regrettabie affair was due TO
the impetuousn OF Capt. Cough,
who was killed. {, v
0ccupaed by British.
81 Pretoria. May ~ An official bulle-
tin Issued here says II Is reported the
British have occupied Yredefort and
are advancing on SchOenman's drift.
Gen Do Wet announces that the fed
erals have occupied Hebron and
PotchefstrOin HH reports that the
call to arms u meeting with noble
resp0nse. Z. -.