The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-28
No Startling News
From Seat Of War.

London, March 80, q. m.-Ag gain
there is persistent rumor that Mafe-
kipg has been relieved. The war Office.
however. declares that there is 90
coo6rm alton of the rumor and that DO
further news ou the subject is at hand.
1t seema certain Mafekine's only
chances lie in relief BY the colamns
supposed to be advancing from the
south or 10 the possibility that Colonel
Baden Powell is still strong enough to
atsemp: sortie. with view of captur.
ing the Boer guns, at tine wheu
Commsndant Snymau has Withdrawn
bis men to oppose Colonel Pluner's
advance. All the reports regarding
the British operations in the Free State
continue most satisfactory
It is reported from Lareuzo MARQUES
that Pretoria is prepared to staod
siege OF two years. aud that the Boer
women, frantic at the reverses TO the
Boer arms, are eDsres.ing to be allowed
to shoot the British officers imprisoned
at Pretoria
1t is announced frou the Transvaal
capital that the Italian government has
declined to intervene.
4 report from Krooos.adt, 0 F s..
via Pretoria that the Beers, under the
con maod CT Gen Olivier. had defeated
tee British troops ucder Ger Ga;aore
ic the vicioity of Befbulis, is not
believed here. a dispatch to Tie Daily
News from spriogfoa:eia, dated Tues
day, March 20, says Gsn Gatacre vas
all well' ard adds that be aad Gen
Brs5aas bad DOT lost dozeo neo in q
fortnight. TIE last essvices also place
Gen Ga;acre about 30 miles nor,h of
Bethnlie, where the Beer report says
the defeat vas icAictea THIS, CON
bleed with the fact that 90 mentlon Of
tae affair was made By Lord Roberts,
in bis dispatch of March 21, confirms
the belief that the K,ooDstadt advices
are erroneous
The reports of skirmisbiog pear
Lobstsi while apparently Dot iDaioting
any serious loss an Colonel Plumer's
columus, cause grave anxiety 10 regard
to his ability to reach Mafekiug Fur
ther news from that quarter is acxiously
awaited. for in the six days that have
elapsed since the last messages we're
sent of a serious engagement may
have occurred, though not of Colonel
Plumer's seeking The Beers seem
determined not to give up their prey
at Mafekiog wi hout fierce struggle.
10 reply to the mayor of Cape
Towns request to- make "Mafekiug
relief day" public holiday, Premier
Scbreiuer wrote May the holiday
come soon aud may a spirit of general
good will and kindly consideration
prevail later"
The Times in its second edition,
published dispatch from Lcreuzo
Marques whiob quotes Presideot Steys
as saying, at Krooostadt, that the
Beers could continue the struggle for
six months longer
While the Beers aud British in the
Orange Free State are taking advan-
taee of tSe period of inactivity to
enjoy rest. those on the borders of
Natal are beginning to show activity.
A special diepatcb from Durbau says
the towr of Pomeroy, 80 miles east of
Ladysmith, has beeo burned by the
Beers. A British detachment arriving
at Pomeroy as tie Beers evacuated the
place sbelled the hurghers, but they
succeeded in taking up strong posi-
ton in the hills with force estimated
to uumb Der 5000 men
1t has baen learned that DO new
peace overtures have been made to
Lord Salisbury. nor are any expected
at present by Great Britain The tele.
graphic correspondence has been cou6u
! ed to the treatment Of prisoners Lord
Salisbury, as already oabled, is holding
the presidents Of the South African
republics responsible for the welfare of
British prisoners. The question of
safety of JobaD uesburg aud the gold
mines there has not been raised
The correspondence exchanged be-
tween Lord Salisbury and President
Kruger will shortly be given to parlia'
| meDt.
Replying in the house of commons
today to a series of questions on the
subject of Gen Lord Methuen and bis
alleged disagreements With the officers
of bis column, which have caused con
siderable scandal, the parliamentary
secretary of the war Office. George
Wyudhsm, declared no charge had
been brought against Gen Methuen by
Col Cough or any other officer. Col
Cough. he ADDED. has been informed
that an inquiry would be held into bis
case Col Cough is alleged to have