The evening times., 1900-05-17

LONDON, May 1.-THE reply OF the War
Office to a message from the House of
Commons has encouraged the general be-
lief that Mafeking hasNbeen relieved.
The War Office said in its communication
that while there was no official confrma-
tion of the reported relief OF the be-
leagured town, the officials had no reason
to Giseredit il.
A widely credited report had been in cir
culation during the day that the War Office
had received this morning an announce
ment Of the relief of the besieged town,
which it was withholding until II could be
confirmed
This gave rise to the official enquiry at
the War Offce.
l. the House of Commons this afternoon
Mr. George Wyndham, Parliamentary Sec
ret2ry Of Safe for War, said he regretted
that he was unable to give any news to re
Icve the public anxiety regarding Mafe-
king. News could not reach the Govern
ment, he said, for two days, or possibly
longer. He added that there vas no con-
firrnation Of the reported repuISe OF the re-
lief force
ic of discussion in connection with the
South African war has been the fate Of
Mafeking. The runners that the garrison
had been at last compelled to yield to the
Beers had increased the anxiety TO pitch
Of feverish excitement Contradictory re-
ports have been in circulation all day Tne
concern in all sections has been so absorb
ing that business generally has been Ie-
elected
The anxiety in elubland is pronounced
Pail Mall, in the vicinity of the War Of
fee. is crowded with people who are i'm
patiently waiting TO hear some news
Similar anxiety is reported from the sub
urbs. and n fact from all parts Of the
kingdom.
There is a general belief that, if relief
has not already come. the garrison will be
able to successfully defend tie town until
il does.
Great pre- 0aratiOns are being made to
celebrate tn, announcement of the relief.
Thanksgiving service will probably be i'm
mediately held at st. Paul's Cathedral.
The anxiety has been kept alive, if rot
augmented, by despatch to Cape Town
from Lourenco Marques, which was sent to
the Cape Argus" and gives an account
OF a severe attack on the besieged town.
The despatch TO the Cape Town news
paper is not dated and it il feared here
that il relates to an assault made later than
that Of last Saturday. accounts Of which
have already been published.
The despatch says: "Mafeking was hotly
attacked by the Beers in the most deter
mined manner The attack was repulsed
with the greatest difficulty. The Beers lost
heavily. Commandant Eloff, President
Kruger's grandson, was captured. The gar
rison had seventeen killed"
Another despatch received here from
Lourenco Marques direct, is OF rather
dsco-raging character and has been ex-
citedly discussed during the day.
II says that the latest news from Mafe-
king is that the town has been reduced 70
the most desperate straits for food and
that the garrison is existing principally
upon the hope Of speedy relief.
The besieging Beers have greatly in
creased their number in view Of the ex-
pected early approach Of the relief expe-
dition. Several additional big guns have
been brought TO bear upon the town and
the burghers seem determined to take it
Before the arrival Of assistance.
Tie Lourenco Marques despatch adds
hat the force which is advancing 10 the
relief of Baden-Powen is composed Of
picked mel from the Imperial Yeomanry
and Roberts and MarshalTs Horse