The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-21
celebrations are in progress in Cairo and
in the heart of the Soudan.
DETAILS STILL LACKING.


DETAILS STILL LACKING.
Details of relief are still wanting. the
British military authorities being without
dispatches. Lord Roberts wires that he
knows OF the relief only through a press
agency. Lord Lansdowne. however, an
nounces that the War Office expects direct
news to-day.
The situation in the field has changed but
little since Friday. Lord Roberts's troops
are in fine form and abundantly supplied.
Indications seem TO point to an early move
ment. His cavalry, riding over several
hundred square miles in a semi-circle be-
yond Kroonstad, has received the submis-
sion OF hundreds of Free Staters.
1t now appears that the Dewet who Of
fered to surrender, with 1000 men, was not
the well-known General Dewet, but Com
mandant Dewet. He stipulated that his
men should be allowed to return to their
farms. Lord Roberts replied that the sur
render must be unconditional.
The Botha who was captured the other
day was Philip Botha. Those surrender
ing are solemnly warned that If they break
the oath of neutrality their houses will be
burned and their farms coniscated. Such
Reports flow in to Lord Roberts at head
quarters of the discouragement of the
Beers and of their willingness. even In the
case of the Transvaalers. to give up. Pres
ident Steyn is described as having lost his
head several times recently. The original
Of the telegram addressed to the burghers
at Ventorsburg. urging them to hold out,
was really written at Petersburg, a place
which surrendered early in March. Presi-
dent Steyn. who was last reported as leav-
ing Pretoria after consultation with the
Transvaal government. has again gone to
the front
The Daily Telegraph is advised that a
plot has been discovered at Pretoria to de-
pose President Kruger and to surrender
the Transvaal during the present month.
Progressive Dutchmen and members of the
judiciary are asserted to have been parties
to the movement.
A Cape Town correspondent reasserts
that the Irish-American ambulance corps
from Chicago suffered heavily during the
lighting at Kroonstad, and that United
States Consul Hay had protested vainly to
President Kruger against using the corps
on the fighting line.
BOLLEh Al LAlNGS MEX.
General Butler is in front of Laing's mex,
hesitating to attack positions of enormous
natural strength. The reports that the
Beers have blown up portions of the tun-
mel are confirmed
Although everywhere else they are re-
ported as retiring outfronted, they have
effected their retreats without losing their
conveys or guns. or even prisoners to any
extent. Were they disorganized they would
strew the line of retreat with booty
General Colville's base is Winburg. Gen.
eral Rumble is advancing on Ficksburg
trying to catch up with the retiring Beers
Vrede, where the Free State capitol has
been removed, is village of two hundred
inhabitants in the extreme northeastern
part of the country, on the road from
Heilbron to Bothas Pass in the Drakens-
burgs. President Steyn. when twitted
about the migratory capitol, is reported to
have said that the Americans during the
war of independence changed their capitol
nine times. and yet defeated the British.
The British are confiscating the cattle
of the rebels In the districts about Aliwal
North. Colonel Ayde's men have driven in
$500 head
The London papers are speculatfng as to
what will be done to reward Colonel Baden
Powell. 1t is understood that as soon as
the official news of the relief of Mafeking
is received, the rank of Supernumerary
Major General will be cabled him, and at
the same time he will be advanced to the
rank of Knight Commander of the Bath
Possibly a baronetcy will be conferred on
him.
London paid an all-day call upon Colonel
Baden-Powell's mother yesterday. Tele-
grams. letters and flowers arrived every
minute. 1t took six policemen to keep the
crowd in order. Mrs. Baden-Pcwell ap-
peared upon the balcony at intervals and
bowed her acknowledgements to the crowds.
Arthur Pearson, principal proprietor Of
the Daily Express, has started movement
to build a hall of heroes to commemorate
those who have fallen In the war.