Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-27
FIGH1ING Is EXPECTED.
lIethuen, Clements and French Al
IN Eair AYay TO See Battle.


London. March 27.-There are at.
least three places in South Africa
where fighting is likely to take place
at any time. Lord Methuen seems 10
be on the verge of action at Warren-
ton; Gen. Clements is reported to be
advancing against hostile force of
Orange Free Staters at Fauresmith,
and Cen French evidently is attempt
ing to locate Ccmmandant Olivier's
troops in the neighborhood of Lady
brand. 1t is also reported that a small
force of Beers in northwestern Cape
Colony is entrenched and awaiting an
attack.
Gen. Butler appears 10 be ready for
. determined campaign against the Boz
ers who hold positions in the Biggars-
berg range but the probability is as
strong as ever that he will not attack
them now.
What Lord Roberts is doing nobody
in London knows. and-such is the
magic of success-nobody is complains
ing very Justify over the want of
knowledge. 1t is even said that the
war office is in total ignorance of the
plan the ommander-in-chie has made
for his advance. That important de-
velopments may be looked for before a
great while, however, is certain.
The dispatches announcing that the
Beers are abandoning Kroonstad are
misleading. 1t is declared that they are
making extensive preparations to fight
at that point. Persons of discrimina-
ton here hesitate to believe the stories
of violent quarreling between the al
lies. In view OF the Globes expert, all
the Transvaalers and a considerable
minority of the Orange Free Staters
display every sign of an intention to
make the work remaining before the
British army as difficult as possible.
It is coming to be generally recog-
nized that the Orange Free State Boz
ers, despite appearances, are not rum
ming over with enthusiasm because OF
having been defeated by the British II
is gradually becoming apparent that
some of these open-armed greetings
that meet Lord Roberts and his officia
agents are only clever assembling. Ir
the first place. Rudyard Kipline
pointed out, albeit enigmatically, thai
Cape Colony was honeycombed with
disloyalty. and now comes Juliar
Ralph deploring the fact that while
Gen. Crohje travelled In state thr,
Cape Colony, on his way to Cape Town
Lord Roberts was compelled to stea
away into the country in order to con
fuse the quiet rebels and prevent thei
communicating news of his departur,
to the front. Ralph fatty dubs Cap
Colony "the enemy's country"
1t is possible that something ap
preaching definite expression on th
subject Of imperial federation may is
sue from today's annual meeting a
Nottingham of the National Liberia
federation. The liberal party is eager
ly searching for policy on which tn
various elements can unite, and som
Of the leaders hope this policy may b
found in plan for the federation O
the empire in accordance with liberia
principles. Unless there is an attemp
on the part of the chair to muZzle tn
delegates some plain speaking is likel
10 be indulged In. Mr.. Brassey, libera
candidate for parliament sor Bourne
mouth, who voices the views of Lor
Rosebery and the liberal imperialist.
has sent to all the delegates who are
attend the meeting memorandum
which declares 1t is impossible to dc
wise a satisfactory measure to provid
home rule for Ireland without modif,
ing The constitution In other direction