The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-08

LONDON. March S.-Good news from the
front continues TO filter through the War
once. The public is happy over the
change from General Buffers reticence 10
General Roberts regular, though guarded
reports The field marshal today cables as
follows:
Poplar Grove, March s.
1.-TWO brigades OF cavalry. with the
horse artillery and Kelly Kenny's di-
vision Of infantry marched today ten
miles TO the eastward. The Beers
were quite taken by surprise yester-
day and moved Of so hurriedly that
they left their dinners behind. We
captured a Krupp gun, and several
tents and wagons.
our total casualties were two officers
killed and three wounded. Twelve
Lanciers were killed and fOrty-siX
wounded
Clements occupies Norvals Pont.
on the south bank Of the Orange
River. The bridge was blown up on
March g. The enemy are gathering on
the north bank CT the river. but il is
not believed that they are in great
strength. ROBERTS
Stcyn May BE Captured.
It was suggested today that President
captured. II Is known that within a few
days President Steyn was with the Boer
Army facing Roberts. and was there in
consultation with General Joubert. II is
hoped that General Roberts will be able
10 repeat the success he made in sIrrouLd-
ing Cronje by encompassing the fleeing
army Of Joubert and that President Steyn
will be taken with it.
The calmer observers Of the war DO not
believe that Roberts will be able TO catch
the willy Joubert. as he did Cronje and
suggest that in all probability the Free
State President will be hurried ahead Of
the Boer Army in its fight and viii quick
ly be put in a place Of safety, even If
Bloemfontein is reached by the British
Still. the possibility OF S.eyu's capture is
exciting the keenest interest in Roberts
chase after Joubert's army.
A despatch to the War Office from Lady
smith. dated yesterday, says General Butler
requests the publication OF the acknowi-
edgement Of his gratitude for the cougratu-
latory messages which are pouring in from
India the colonies and towns and British
associations in all parts Of the world.
Suffering in Nafekiug.
A despatch from Mafeking. dated Febru-
airy is. which in some way reached Lou
cenco Marques. on March 3, and was for
warded from there. says:
The defenders are dcspoudent but de-
termincd. Typhoid malaria has broken
out in the wOmen's Iaager. which the enc
my is deliberately shelling. Dysentery is
rife and the garrison is reduced to horse
flesh. The hospitals are full TO overfowing,
and the graves in the childrcns cemetery
increase in number week by week.
The enemy is raking the streets and
it is impossible to dodge the bullets. Like
the saints. We cry out: How long. 0
Lord, how long,' Our losses up 70 date
have been 2S2.
The cheerfulness which was character
istic Of the early days Of the siege has al
most deserted US. the men preferring 10
remain at their posts rather chan move
about and work up an appetite which can
not be satisfied The natives are in the
worst plight. Those who are unable to
obtain work are allowed a small handful
OF mealies daily. Many Drawing the dan
ger, wander about the town. with gaunt
and hungry faces. in search Of work which
entities them to an extra ration OF meat
II they find work. they are generally too
weak to perform il. We have taken re-
markable precautions and the casualties.
though heavy. are not what they might
have been had less able men been at the
head Of affairs
The garrison is so small that # would
be criminal TO make its weakness public.
but there is never so much as a whisper.
We are cheerfully enduring the hardships
Of today rather than make a surrender
in any degree possible tomorrow"