Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-21
ROBERTS silent AGAIN
Little Known Of the Present Move.
ments of Gen. Roberts Main
Column.
Indications That Transvaal Will
Not Attempt Defense Of the
Free State
steyn Warns Kruger Against Cap
Kitchener Takes Prieska
War Situation.

London, March 21-The only news
from South Africa showing activity OF
either side comes from Warrentown,
north of Kimberley, where desultory
fighting occurred all day Sunday. re-
sultiEg in the retreat of the Boers
towards Christiana under a shell fire.
Progress of this column towards Mafe-
king has either almost ceased or is FOR
hidden to be mentioned in the dis
patches. Nothing new comes from
Plumer. and Mafeking apparently still
awaits relief.
The Pretoria account of the skirmisa
at Fourteen Streams. March l6. says
the Boer command was preparing tc
destroy the railroad bridge and the en-
gagement lasted half and hour. With
the result that one burgher was slight
" wounded. The same dispatch an
nounces the arrival at the Transvaal
capital of Gen. Schalkburger from Ma
tai
The second edition of the Times to-.
day publishes dispatch from Bloem-
fontein. dated Monday. March 10,
which says: Blowing up of the bridge
by the Beers is an evident sign that
the Transvaalers intend to abandon the
defense of the Free state.
All is quiet south and west. A corps
of young Beers from the farms sur
rounding Bloemfonteir, under an impe-
rial officer, has been detailed for police
work and to prevent further looting of
abandoned farms by kattirs.
1T is said that when Kruger left
Bloemfontein after the recent visit
there Steyn's parting remark was:
Mind the British do not catch you, or
you will get better quarters at ST.
Helena than L.
The Beers at Aliwal North are re-
ported to be still holding their position
in the big hills on the Free State side
Now that Prieska has fallen into the
hands of Lord Kitchener without oppo-
stion and the Transvaalers are fleeing
across the Orange river. leaving behind
them considerable quantities of arms.
explosives and supplies. little doubt is
felt that the rebellion of the Dutch in
Cape Colony will speedily collapse.
There is no indication anywhere IN the
southern half of the Orange Free State
that there will be any more fighting.
1t is to be presumed. however, that
President Steyn has not abandoned
active operations That he has hope Of
redeeming some of the burghers from
the persuasiols of Lord Roberts proc
lamation is shown by official informa-
ton that the president is circulating q
pronunciamento TO the effect that any
burghcr who signs a declaration that
he will not fight the British again will
be treated as n traitor and shot.
The following dispatch from Lord
Roberts was issued by the war office
last night
'.Bloemfontein. Tuesday. March 20
Kitchener occupied Prieska yesterday
unopposed. The rebels surrendered
their arms. The Transyaalers escapel
across the river.
MIR. Steyn is circulating notice by
means of dispatch riders in reply 10 ny
proclamation to the effect that an.
burgher who signs a declaration tha1
he will not fight against us again vii
be treated as a traitor and shot.
The Bloemfontein people are afford
Ing us every assistance in the matter d
hospital Accommodations. We hav.
consequently been able To arrange 70
500 beds. Thirty-three prisoners We're
taken at Prieska. .00 stands OF arms
and some supplies and explosives. 1'h,
Boers have begun TO surrender on tn
Basutoland frontier
Steyn does not rest quietly undel
Lord Roberts allegations chat hi.
burghers fired on a flag Of truce a
Bloemfontein. He retorts With slmila
charges against portion Of Lord Rob
erts army and also asserts that TIL,
British committed similar offense Il
Spionkop He remarks sarcasticalI,
that probably some of the Beers dit
possess explosive bullets, as they ar
known To have taken a large number o
such projectiles rom the Britisl
troops F'air-minded men here are dis
posed to regard these charges an,
counter charges of treachery as proba
bly, unsupported by evidence and calcu
lated to establish the truth of the gen
eral rule respecting the conduct of sol
dicrs of all flags. 1t is remarked tina
it is very easy in the excitement Of bat
tie for certain men. displaying th
white flag, or holding it in their hand
in token OF surrender, to come unde
the fire of the opposing troops VIII
have no opportunity clearly 10 appre
ciate the situation.
Declines to Interfere.
Berne. Switzerland. March 9Th
federal councils answer to the Boe
appeal for mediation declines to tax
any steps along the lines indicated
the request, giving as a reason that th
British governments declaration di
not propose TO accept Intervention {
any power. The council expresses tn
wish that the belligerents may succee
at no distant date in finding a basis {
understanding, honorable to both PAL
ties.
Intervention Talk Trumped UP.
London. March 2l-The Times ed
tOrial leader this morning SAYS: