The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-06-15
communications is fact giving the
London officials much concern.
SURRENDER NEGOTIATIONS
Which Failed Because General Botha DE
cIined Gen. Buffers Terms.

Which Failed Because General BOtha De-
cIined Gen. Buffers Terms.
London. June IA belated dis
patch from Mount Prospect, via New
castle, Natal, dated Thursday, June Z,
throws light on the armistice agreed
upon between the British and the
Beers recently. 1t appears that Gener-
al Butler met General Christian Botha
June ., at O'Neirs farm, between UNI
guela and Majuba, and summoned
BOtha to surrender. General Botha
said he was not empowered to accede
to the demand. General Butler replied:
VERY WELL" and turned to go away,
when General BOtha pressed him to
make a proposal
General Butler said he had no pro-
posal to make, but pointed out that
the Beers were surrounded and referred
to the uselesSneSs of shedding unneces-
sary blood.
What do you want us to dOY' asked
General Botha beseechingly.
"Retrun to your farms, leave your
big guns, and await Lord Roberts de-
cisiOn' replied General Butler.
The federal commandment said he
would refer the question to the burgh-
erS. General Butler then acceded to
his General Botha's) appeal for an
armistice until daybreak. June 6, show
ing that the Boer reports of General
Butler having requested an armistice
to have been incorrect. The dispatch
adds that the federals are understood
to have twenty-three guns in position,
but it is doubtful if they can remove
them. Their only line of retreat is in
the direction of Lydenburg.
London, June 12.-The following re-
port from General Butler has been is
sued by the war office:
Headquarters in Natal June H.
The force concentrated on the Kip
river at it's junction with the Cans
vlei last night. We anticipated at that
defile force Of the enemy about 5000
strong, who had, | think, intended to
occupy it, but retired as soon as
our heavy guns were very smartly
brought into action by Major May Of
the Royal artillery and Captain Jones
of the royal navy. The South African
Light horse and Second cavalry bri-
gades were smartly engaged while COW
ering our left front. Our casualties
are about six killed and seven wound
ed
General Sir Frederick Forester
Walker, in command Of the lines Of
communication in South Africa, re-
ports that in the disaster to the Brit
iSh troops, June I, at ROOdeval where
the Beers cut Lord Roberts line of
communication. the Fourth battalion
of the Derbyshire regiment were
killed, wounded or made prisoners, cE-
cept six enlisted men. Two officers and
fifteen men were killed and five Off
GERS and Seventy-tWO men wounded,
many of them severely. The Beers re-
turned the wounded to the British.
The officers killed were Lieutenant
Colonel: Baird-Douglas and Lieutenant
Hawley. The wounded include Colonel
Wilkinson and Lieutenant Blanchard
Of the Canadian infantry.
A dispatch from General Forester
Walker says General Methuen was
fighting within ten miles of Hebron
June 6, as follows:
cape Town, June 10.-Kelly-Ke
reports from Bloemfontein this morn
ing that Methuen, with the greater
part of his division, was fighting early
in the morning of June s ten miles
south Of Hebron, where COlville was
reported to be with the Highland bri-
gade. Methuen left Lindley June 5
with ample supplies for himself and
Colville, leaving Paget to hold Lindley
with a sufficient force and supplies.
Kelly-Kenny has ordered Knox to
press in the enemy'S OutpOstS, believ-
ing the enemy's strength to be exag-
gerated."
London, June 12.-The war office
posts the following dispatch from
General Butler:
Headquarters in Natal, June IL
We forced Almonds Mex today. 1t is
not marked on the map, but it is the
last defile to Charleston flats. The en-
envy were in considerable force, with
several guns in position. The brunt of
the fighting fell upon the Second Dor
sets, who carried the position at the
point of the bayonet, and the Third
cavalry brigade, who were heavily at
tackled on our right from very broken
country round Iketini mountain. hope
casualties are less than 100, which,
considering the extreme length of the
position is much less than l expected.
1.-THE whole attack was directed by
Hildyard, whose disposition was ex-
tremely good. The artillery Tenth
brigade, and Third cavalry brigade,