The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-03-28
V[RY LITTLE HOPE FOR MAFEK|MG.
COL. PLUMER CHECKED.
Efforts 10 Ralsc The Siege do mol Look uk'
early Success Gen. French Finh'lnn
East OF BlocmionlcIn.

The hope of early relief OF Mafcking
or that Col Baden Powell VIII not pc
compelled to surrender before hclp
reaches him from either the NORTH or
south. grows DINNER. Gen. Roberts
main army continues resting nj Blocm-
iontcin. while Cen Methucn Is skir-
mishiug with the Beers at Warrcnton
i67 miles away. Mcthucn has not 40. ..
vanccd in five days in the direction oi
Maicking. although his force IS appat-
emily strong enough to do pretty much
As he likes. II is hoped that he has a
pleasant surprise in store by raising the
siege of Maickiug with large column
of cavalry and artillery dctouring to
Malcking while Commandant Snyman
is drawn oil To engage Col. Plumer.
But il is evident that Col plumcr has
been temporarily at least checked on
his way down from the north.
Gen. Frcnch's cavalry aud mounted
infantry, according to a rumor, are
fighting somewhere east of Blocmlon-
,cin. This suggests Bocr bad news, as
Commandant divers commando, with
1000 wagons. is reported on the Basuto-
land frontier. toiling northward toward
Kroonstad, via Iadybrand This enor-
nous wagon train is supposed to be
moving Is miles day. Cen French ;
cavalry posts stretch from Blocmlon-
lcin eastward TO the mountains
a dispatch from the Bocr camp at
Kroostad. dated Thursday. says: AZ
fairs are being put in proper shape
aud the Free Statcrs who had to leave
are returning in crowds. The prcsi-
dents proclamation has shown the
burghcrs that the government is stand
ing firm. The commands are mobiliz-
ing in great numbers and the men arc
more determined than ever. President
Stcyn has issued proclamation IN
which he warns the burghcrs who lay
down their arms and help the English
that they are liable to the utmost pun
lshment as traitors.
A letter from Mr.. Poultcncy, an in
terpreter in the Free State courts, has
been received by his wife at Blocmion
tein. in which he declares that Gen.
Joubert is commanding the combined
forces at Kroonstad. where there is
plenty of men, guns and food stuifs for
a determined resistance.
A Cape Town correspondent tclc-
graphing, Tuesday, says:
Il have just arrived from Blocmion-
tein, where | learned that no further
movement is probable for three weeks,
as negotiations are proceeding. | fail
ed TO ascertain the nature OF the ne.
gotiations, or whether Sir Alfred Mil
ner's departure from Cape Town is con-
nccted with them, but | should not be
surprised il the war collapsed quickly"
Several kilograms have passed be-
tween President Kruger and the British
government, in addition to the Sails
bury Kruger correspondence, already
published. The foreign office received
a dispatch from Pretoria Monday.
The contents OF these communications
cannot yet be obtained.
So far as the militarv situation is
concerned, there is practically no
change. Lord Roberts is quietly max
ing preparations for the next move. As
necessary to a beginning, Gems. Gatacre
and Brabant are swiftly moving from
point to point in the southern districts
OF the Free State, dispensing or ac-
cepting the surrender of any remaining
Boers, thus ipsuring the safety OF Lord
Roberts communications before start
ing toward Pretoria.
Gen. Gatacrc is sweeping through
the country like a cyclone, with flying
columns in all directions. His swift
ness and strategy have proved of ines
tlnable value to Lord Roberts,