The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-16
THE SIEGE OF MAfEKING.
Badeu-POwelI Says His Food will Last TIL
About June 10.
REPORTS FROM THERE ARE CONFLICTING
and Another TINT IL Has Been Rc-
Iieved--Latcst War News.

London, May 16. 4;3o a. m.--"Food will
last until about June TO-" Is the latest Of
flclals word from Colonel Baden Powell,
the British commander at Mafeking. sent
to Lord Roberts under date Of May Z.
Five days later the Beers attempted
to storm the town, and 1t Is possible that
they succeeded. although nothing is known
Of the attack or It's results except through
Pretoria sources, which have no coun-
tenance here.
The British relief column Is due there
now. Ten days ago General Snyman was
having difficulty Ia keeping the burghers
together. owing to the approach Of the
British, and when the last Associated
Press dispatch left Mafeking, on May Z,
the Beers had killed on the previous day
one of the Horse Guards and had cap
tured several OF Colonel Baden Powell's
few remaining horses.
Major f. d. Ballle has sent to thu
Morning Post from Mafeklng, under data
OF May 7, this message: This 1osning
the Beers attacked us. Result MS usual
There is an aching void here. Pass the
loaf"
The Transyaal army has taken the posi-
ton az Baauwaschdorp pass, near Herl
bton road station, near Kroonstad. Its
rear guard is still holding the hllis of the
Vasch Ever, while the Boer scouts are In
touch with British accommodating parties
twenty miles north of Kroonstad.
The Beers have held council of war at
Lindley and British spies have learned
that the Beers have decided to hold Har-
rismith as long as possible.
Lord Roberts infantry is still at Kroon-
stad
The laborers are hard at work and the
engineers hope to have the line repaired
within tire edays.
The nights are bitterly cold, but the
DAYS are hot.
The Free staters are surrendering in
larger numbers than after the occupation
Of Rloemfontein. One officer of the Trans
vaal artillery says: There will DO no
serious fighting this side OF Pretoria. as
Beereenigen on the Vaal is indefensible.
Heavy guns are being mounted at Pre-
toria."
Generals Botha and Limmer are agreed
that ultimate success Is impossible Presi-
dent Kruger is obstinate and majority of
the burghers hold firmly with him.
II is estimated that the Transvaal can
stu muster 10000 men on the fighting
line.
General Buffers advance as hie tele-
grams Indicate, was by the instructions of
Lord Roberts. and 1t will cease or 90 for
ward as Lord Roberts may direct
Certain commentators affiliated at the
war office say that General Buffers or
ders to keep the Beers employed have
been supplemented by an order to drive
them completely out Of Metal, and then TO
move on Harrismith.
Generals Rumble ard Brabant are taxi
ing possession of the wide regions around
Iadybrand almost without opposition.
They find the country plentifully supplied
with cattle, horse feed and -four. Gen
oral Rumble Is reducing his transport aud
feeding his men and animals largely of
the country. The Beers arc seen 10 that
quarter daily, and it is the expectation
of the correspondents on the spot that
the eastern section of the Free State Will
soon be as Tranquil as the western. Gen
eral Rundle's front ls thirty miles long,
but his forces are disposed so that II
any point should be attacked the troops
there could be quickly reinforced.
Lord Roberts contributes line to the
discussion going ON ln the press as TO
when the war viii end by the following
telegram, dated May -; II regret
can not give any reply to your question,
as 10 Is impossible to predict when the
campaign may end"
The view Of the other side Is repre-
scented by a correspondent to whom Presi-
dat Steyn said: Sooner than leave this
country to fall into the hands OF the Brit
ish l would destroy all the houses
The relations between the BoerR and
Portugal seem to be strained
Portugaps declarations, making food ana
n n Dfroh u bav nori.r
the usefulness of Delagoa bay to the
Transyaai,
Seror Joaquin Machado. governor ge1-
erl OF Portuguese East Africa is being
entertained at Beira and the British Of
ilcers who are passing through are show
ing him courtesles
The Lisbon cabinet Is understood to
count on British protection in the event
Of Boer aggression.
The morning papers give long accounts
OF the reception OF the Boer envoys in New
York. hut none comment edtoriaIly ex-
cept the Daily Chronicle ard the Times.
the former saying. TO give parallel
instance suppose that during the course
Of tho Spanish American war the Span
iards had asked England TO intervene and
had sent deputnton to Queen Victoria
Would the Spanish delegates have been
received with cheers and presented with
Wv liNNlpH VI tAe Guy OF southampton
or with the means OF tho township in that
vicinity This difference between tho
English population towards America and
that OF the American population toward
England viii take a good deal to eN,ilain
away"
The war office last evening Issued an
abstract OF the British casualties since
the BEGINNING Of the war. This shows
total Of 90,0S5 exclusive OF the sick in the
1a11 kn lie fr..I -.
zAND RIVER FIGHT.