The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-16

tNCtDl iii ouS N'oA At oot'A NNh'.
which have no cOntenance here.
The British relief column is due
there now. Ten DAYS ago General
Snyman was having difficulty in
keeping the burghers together. owing
TO the approach of the British and
when the last Associated Press dis
patches left Mafeking, on May 7th,
the Beers had killed. on the previous
day one of the Horse Guards and had
captured several of Colonel Baden
Powell's few remaining horses.
Major f. ID. BailIe has sent to the
Morning Post from Mafellng. under
date of May 18th, this message:
'"This morning the Beers attacked
us. Result as usual. There is an
aching void here. Pass the loaf.
The TransvaaL army has taken a
position at Blaauwbasc schdoort Pass,
near HeiIbron Road Station, fifty
miles north of Kroonstad. It's rear
guard is still holding the hills north
of the Valsch River. while the Boer
scouts are i'm touch with British re-
connoitering parties twenty miles
north of Kroonstad.
The BOcrs held a council of war at
Lindley. and British spies have learn
ed that the Beers decided to hold Har-
rismith as long as possible.
Lord Roberts infantry are still at
Kroonstad. The railway lahorers are
hard at work and the engineers hope
to have the line repaired within three
days.
The prairie has put on russet
winter coat. The nigh,S are bitterly
cold. but the days are ho;.
One officer of the Trans aal artif-
lery says:
There will be 10 serious lighting
this side of Pretoria. rs DeIteniging.
on the Naal. is indefers 81 lt Heavy
guns are being mount I'll at III etoria.
but Generals Botha and Lnner are
agreed that the ultimate success is
impossible. President Kdr@er is OBJ
stinate and a majority ot The Trans
vaalers hold firmly vii, hm.
1t is estimated that the Transvaal-
ers can still muster three thousand
men on the fighting line.
General Buffers ad sance as his tel
grams indicate, was by the instruc-
tons Of Lord Roberts, ans ii will
cease or 90 forward as Lord Roberts
max direct Certain commentators al
fiiliated to the War Office, say that
General Buffers orders to keep the
Beers employed have been supple
mented by an order to drive them
bant are taking possession of the wide
completely out of Natal and then TO
move on HarriSmith.
General Rumble and General Bra
bant are taking possession OF the
wide regions around Ladybrand al
most without opposition. They find
the countdy plentifully supplied with
cattle. horse feed and -four. General
Rumble is reducing his transport and
feeding his men and animals largely
off the country.
The Beers in that quarter surren-
der daily and it is the expectation
of the correspondents on the spot
that the eastern section of the Free
State vii soon be as tranquil as the
western. General Rundle's front is
thirty miles long. but his forces are
disposed so that, if any point should
be attacked. the troops there could
be quickly reinforced.
Lord Roberts in answer to Il cores
pandent telegraphed Monday. at is
impossible at present to predict when
the campaign may end.
The view of the other side is re-
ported by Il correspondent to whom
President Steyn said:
Sooner than leave this country TO
fall into the hands of the British !
would destroy all our houses and
leave it desert"
The relations between the Trans
vaal and the Portuguese appear TO be
strained. The Portuguese consul at
Pretoria, according to reports from
Lisbon. has been ordered by President
kruger to leave the country. The
Portuguese declaration making food
and clothing contraband has nearly
destroyed the usefulness of Delagoa
Bay to the Transvaal.
Senor Joaquin Mocrado. Governor
General of Portuguese East Africa.
is being entertained at Beira. and
the British officers who are passing
through are showing him courtesies.
The Lisbon cobinet is understood TO
count on British protection in the
event Of Boer aggression.
All the morning papers give long
accounts Of the reception given the
Boer envoys in New York; the Chron-
icle edictOrially says the meanest
English town would not have cheer
ed Spanish delegation during our
war or given it the city's freedom.