The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-03-22
Tie south African War.

The south African War.
Gen. Gatacre, on arriving at Bethalie.
Orange Free state, the 15th. found that
all the Beers had fled. The town was
nearly deserted, the Dutch having
trekked on hearing OF the occupation OF
Bloemfontein. 1t is believed that the
Beers retired in the direction of Dewets-
dorp. The telegraph is opened to
Springfontein. 1t is understood here
that President Kruger. two days ago,
annexed the Orange Free State To the
South African Republican.
With the railway communication to
the I ape intact, Lord Roberts will,
in very few days, be in position
to begin the advance on Pretoria. His
deep political intuition combined with
his bold strategy, is having the result
desil ed in the southern section of the
Orange Free state, which are rapidly
calming down.
1t is understood that all the continent
al powers, with one exception, uncom.
promisingly refused to intervene The
exception was Russia, whose reply was
couched in less firm language, although,
like the others she declined to interfere
1t Is said that the Pope was also appeal
ed to do anything beyond writing a let
ter to the Queen, appealing to her to
stop the further effusion of blood. DR..
Leyds efforts with King Leopold were
quite futile.
Advices respecting the surrender of
BloemfonteiD, show that the approach
of the British caused a stampede.
Thirteen trains, each composed of forty
cars and all crammed with Beers, hur-
ried north just before the line was cut.
arrivals from Pretoria, say that the
Beers themselves admit that their case
is hopeless General Lucia Never re-
fuses to fight again and has retired to
his farm. General Schalkburger has
also returned, and the barghers are 90.
ing home by hundreds"
The chief of the intelligence depart
mept, Molengraff, announces that the
federal losses, prior to the relief of Kim
berley and Ladysmith were: Killed
GIT; wounded 2l20. Accidents, sick,
ness and other disabling causes, he as.
serts, bring the total % 1851
The Mafeking relief column, Coils.
Drummond and Peakman commanding,
had sharp engagement at Fourteen
streams. The British succeeded in
driving the Beers off. They had only a
few casualties
1t is reported that the Beers who
refused to accompany the TransVaalers
when the latter vacated Taungs and
Vryburg, are preparing to trek into
Damaraland on the approach of the
British, but the Hottentot chiefs are
getting ready 10 bar their escape
The Mafeking relief column, Coils.
Drummond and Peakman commanding.
had sharp engagement at Fourteen
Streams saturday. The British sue,
ceeded in driving off the Beers. They
had only few casualties
1t is officially denied that the siege of
Mafeking has been raised or the town
relieved. The British soldiers at Pre-
toria have been removed from the model
school to new quarters in the outskirts
of the town.
KITCHENER occupied Prieska, Monday
unopposed. The rebels surrendered
their arms. The Trausvaalers escaped
across the river. Mr. Steyn is circulat
ing notice by means of dispatch riders
in reply TO my proclamation to the effect
that any burgheTs who sign a declara-
ton that lie will MT fight against us
again will be treated as traitor and
shot. The Bloemfonten people are
atfording us every assistance in the mat
ter of hospital accommodations. " t
have consequently been able to arrange
for 500 beds"
The war Office has had no news up to
Tuesday confirming reports of the relief
of Mafeking, but Mr.. George Wyndham,
parliamentary under secretary for war,
replying to a private inquiry in the
lobby of the House of Commons, about
midnight, smilingiy said: III think 1t is
all right"
The only news from South Africa up
to ednesday afternoon showing activ.
ity on either side comes from Warren.
town, north of Kimberley, where desul.
tory fighting occurred all Sunday,
resulting in the retreat of the Beers
toward hristiana under shell fire
Mafeking has almost entirely ceased Oh
is forbidden to be mentioned in dis
patches Nothing new comes from oil
Plnmmer and Matching, ppalently
still awaits relief.
The statement that the mines al
Johannesburg were flooded has beer
cOntradicted
John Froser, who surrendered Bloom
fontein to Lord Roberts and by the latter
appointed mayor ut the Orange Free
State capital, is a native of Pictot
county, Nova Scotia