The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-03-29
The Conditions That Are Exist
ing in the Orange Free State
Renders This Imperative.
ABSENCE OF PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT.
The Line of Communication Behind
the Advancing British Forces
Must BE Made Safe.
There IL Little Likelihood of the Inn
mediate Relief Of Msfeking-
TransvanI~ Authorities Are
Recruiting Actively.

London, March 25.-Ncws from
South Africa is most meager. Both
sides, apparently, are preparing ac-
lively for the Transvaal campaign.
1t is evident that the Beers have ral-
lied and rcgained some Of their old
spirit. 1t is believed their army has
been wccded of half-hearted bur-
ghers. The Beers will probably fight
10 the last ditch, and the way to Pre-
toria, as a consequence, will be san
culinary.
A dispatch from Springfontein
gives sample of the spirit which
dominates the Beers. The dispatch
reports that Commandant Wander
post, with 800 Free Staters, is hold
ing Faurcsmith and has refused 10
surrender to superior force of Brit
ish troops. He sent word that he
would resist to the death.
Commandant Olivier, with 300 men,
is being pursued through the South
ern Free State by the British. lie
may join Nandcrpost.
1t is estimated that 300 Bocrs still
remain in the Southern Free State.
London, March 27.-Thc continued
absence of aggressive movement on
the part of the British is best eX-
planned in dispatch from Bloemfon-
tein, dated Sunday, March 2j, and
published III the second edition of
the Times Monday. 1t says:
The conditions existing in the
occupied territory render imperative
the somewhat prolonged halt at
Bloemfohtcin. 1t is necessary that
the effect of the proclamation should
have time to make itself felt. 1t is
declared that danger Of annoyance
to the line of communication may be
apprehCnded unless the territory be-
hind the advancing forces is rem
lered absolutely secure. The accur-
acy of this view is proved by the fact
of the enemy's breaking up into iso-
late groups, such as that which at
ldCktO iIf BudlNlN OIliCtlb
rhe adjustment of financial and mum
icipal matters in the Free State is
now chiefly occupying the attention
of the governor and his legal and
financial advisers. The military re-
gime is being conducted with great
but recent investiga-
tions show that caution must be ex-
ercised in dealing with persons APP
parently loyal
This summary is probably an ac-
curate explanation of the frequent
and disappearance of
Beers and insurgents, upon which the
reports are so conflicting and which
so puzzle the British military critics.
Gen. Methuen appears to be await
ing transportation. and with Col
Pmmer's forces on half rations there
now seems little likelihood of the
relief of Mafeking, and
from this quarter nor from Lord
Roberts or Gen. Butler is there any
direct news Monday.
The government buildings at cape
Town narrowly escaped destruction
by fire Sunday night. The state pa
pers. after being much damaged, were
removed.
4 Lorenzo Marques special says the
authorities are evidently
recruiting actively, and large num-
hers of French. Dutch and BeIg'ah
volunteers are constantly passing
through that place to join the Boer
forces.
Paris. March FIT is learned from
4 reliable source that the Boer COM
Wolmarans and Fischer
now en- route to Europe, Will vlsit
The United States. They will bring
an important proposition to Presi-
lent Mckinley. :,
From the same source comes word
that the Pretoria government does
not contemplate the destruction OF
he Johannesburg mines, the posi-
,ility of which is agitating British
,aDitaliStS.