Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-21
TO-DAV'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
The Situation In south Africa,


London, May 21.-The official an.
nout cement Of Mafeking's relief on
May II, which was finally posted at
noon today, sets at rest any uneasinees
which may have been felt as ID the sc-
curacy of the press reports. Sir Alfred
Miner, governor of Cape Colony, tele-
graphs today that the reliefof Msfeking
was effected by column under Col
Mahon, OF about 2. 300 men. The war
office announces that the queen has sp-
proved the promotion of Col. Bsdet-
Powell to the rank of msjor-general.
Arumor comes from Lorenzo Marquee
that the entire Boer besieging force at
MafekDg was captured by the British.
There are many fresh stories OF Botr
Encouragement and willingness to sue
for peace. The bast explanation OF tie
report is that there is peace party Of
some strength at Pretoria who are aDx-
ious to end the conflict before the
Transvaal is overrun and get the best
terms possible. IL is regarded as Ger.
tain, however, that Kruger does not
| belong ID it. He ia believed to have a
strong following, who will fight it out
to the last ditch. Although Lord Rob-
erts refused to listen to De- Vets con-
ditions that bis men be not sent to
Capetown or st. Helena, it is agreed
! that If this commando surrenders its
arms the men will he lepiently treated.
London, May 21.-Colonel Bader-
Powell reports from Msfeking, under
date of May IL, through Lord Roberts
as follows: before dawn today b
storming party of $50, Eloff persona ly
leading, rushed the pickets and got 10
to the stats and protectorate camps
from the westward along the Molopo
valley. A strong musketry fire dem
OBS ration occurred simultaneously on
the eastern front. The western posts
closed 10 and stopped the Beers, our
supports following and cutting of
Eloff's retreat while the town defences
stopped his further advance. Eoffs
force got divided in the darkness and a
strong party was sent between it and
completely surrounded it. Fighting
continued all day and soon after night
fall two parties surrendered and the
others were driven out of the stats
under heavy fire. Ten dead aud nine =
teen wounded OF the enemy were left
! behind. One hundred and eight pris-
oners were taken, including Eloff, nine
officers, seventeen FreBchmen and
many Germans. Our losses were six
killed and two officers and nine men
wounded"
London May 21.-The following dis
patch from Lord Roberts under date Of
Kroonstadt, May 81, is posted: "GeD.
Hunter is pushing on to Msfeking with
supplies for the garrison. He is also
arranging for hospital train to convey
the sick and wounded to Kimberley.
Metbuen has left Hoopstad to CO oper-
ate with Hunter. Rumble reports that
he has occupied Lady
Roberts reports the following COL
corning the march of the Msfeking re-
lief colum: Col Mshon reports at ia.
msisa, May 10: 81 was followed by a
Boer force from Martini Siding and
turned westward to avoid it. On Msy
Is was attacked in the thick bush.
leaving five dead, "a wounded and two
missing, and one captain and one msjor
severely wounded, The Beers lost
more heavily than Mshon." Col. Plu.
mer joined Mahon at Jamaiss.
Lorenzo Marquee, May 2l.-Accord-
ing to Pretoria advices six guns have
been brought from the front and placed
in the Johannesburg forts. Trenches
gre being dug about the town.
London, May 21.-The war Office de-
MES the report printed in a morning
paper that President Kruger has made
any COMMUNICATION to Lord Salisbury re-
lative to peace.