The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-03-24
BOERS CLAIMED A VICTORY
GENERAL aATACRE REFUSED
Latest Report Via PretOr1a-TOOk
Place Near Bethulie-Captured q
Number Of Prisoners-Rumor De-
MED in London.

Kroonstaadt, Orange Free State, March
23.-The Beers, commanded by General
Oliveier, have engaged the British troops
under General Gatacre in the vicinity Of
Bethulie, repulsing the British with heavy
loss and capturing many Of them. The
burghers are arriving here. in great num-
bers.
General Dewitt has arrived here. Desul-
tory fighting with Colonel Plumer's col
umn has occurred near Gaberones.
Free staters Refused.
Aliwal, North Cape Colony, March 23
-Commandant Oliveier left Smithfield
two hours before the British scouts ar
rived. He only succeeded in INDUCING
about $50 men to accompany him, most
ly insurgent colonists. The Free. Staters
refused to go with him and are returning
to their farms.
Not Believed In London. =
! London, March 23.-The report from
Kroonstaadt via Pretoria that the Beers
have defeated the British troops in the vi
cinity of Bethulie is not believed here.
Beers Active.
Lobatsi, March 23.-The Beers. under
Commandant Snyman are advancing in
force from Mafeking toward Lobatsi. Col
onel Bodle made a reconnaissance on
March l3 and found Pitesani and Potlugo
occupied by the Beers. He returned to
Goode Siding and made demonstration
March ID. He found the Beers in strength
at sharp curve on the railroad. They
had mounted gun on the line and were
| lying in wait for the construction train. A
brisk firing occurred few miles south Of
Lobatsi on the morning of the 18th. The
Beers Maxim was freely used. Colonel
Bodle came in touch with the Beers just
in time to prevent the camp being sur
prised. The Beers attacked the advance
party and captured few boxes Of am
munition, and nearly secured a Maxim.
Lieutenant Tyler was killed and Leuten-
ant Chapman captured. Colonel Bodle
coming up, put the Beers to flight with
heavy loss.
The Beers were within a few miles Of
Lobatsi. In the afternoon the Beers
pressed closely on Colonel Plumer's main
camp and kept up hot fire with Maxim
and IL l-2-pounder on hill on the east
The British right is protected by Chiel
Bathion, who has warned the Beers moi
to enter his territory. Colonel Plumer's
present endeavor is to insure the safety ol
the railway north of Lobatsi and to watch
: well the left flank.
Free Staters Surrendcring.
| London, March 23.-Lord Roberts tele
graphs from Bloemfontein, under date o.
March 81, as follows:
$50 many burghers have expressed a
desire to surrender under the terms Of
the last proclamation that l have sent
some columns in various directions to reg
lister their names and take over theil
{ arms.
"a cavalry brigade has gone to the east
ward to Thahanchu and detachmen
: from Springfontein has occupied Smith
field, where some Transvaalers and 8
3 wagon with arms and ammunition wer'
) captured. The Scots guards are at Eden
burg and Reddersburg.
General Clements brigade is marching
hither by way of Philipopolis and Faure
smith"
t The, reports of skirmishing near Lobatsi
while apparently not inhicting any seriou
. loss on Plumer's column, cause grav'
anxiety in regard to his ability to reacl
S Mafeking.
0 Beers Can Prolong the War.
The Times in its second edition pub
lished dispatch from Lorenzo Marquee
which quotes President Steyn as saying a
: Kroonstaadt that the Beers could continu
e the struggle for six months longer. TIL
> Beers in Orange Free State are taking ad
vantage of the period of inactivity to TAX
: rest, while those on the border are plan
ming to show activity.
y "A special dispatch from Durham say
!, the town of Pomeroy, 80 miles east 0
u Ladysmith, has been burned by the Boeri
A British detachment arriving at Pomero,
!, as the Beers evacuated the place, shelle'
II the burghers, but they succeeded in tax
: : ing up strong position in the hills wit
y force estimated to number 5000 men.