The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1900-05-04
TRANsvAAL WAR ITEMS.

A Bloemfontein correspondent in
commenting upon the war situation,
says; 1.-The Beers have taken every adj
vantage of the mountainous nature OF
the country which marks the line of
their retreat to Ladybrand. The task
of driving them is difficult and 1T is
doubtful whether they can be reduced
to submission in district so favorable
to their tactics. A cavalry reconnais-
sance 25 miles northeast encountered
400 Beers. The British drove them
out of kopje north of Karee. Our
outposts are still harassed by moving
the Goth several Beers were killed.
The enemy will certainly make a stand
at Kroonstad, where they have con-
structed miles of trenches"
The latest news from the Orange
Free State indicates that though the
Beers have evacuated Thabanchu, they
have only done so TO occupy stronger
positions. On Sunday, April 30, Gen.
Dewet made an effort to turn French's
eastern flank, which was only foiled
by the cavalry after vigorous maneuv-
ering. The Beers hold the ridges to
the eastward, whence they will prob
| ably fall back when the pressure of
superior numbers increases. The Brit
ish casualties sustained during the
Thabanchu fighting were slight. Gen.
French's object, now that all chance
of catching the main bodies of the
burghers has disappeared, is to harass
the Beers and prevent any well-organ-
lied retreat.
Many stories of marvellous escapes
from the Boer shell that were poured
into Kimberley during the siege have
| been told, but this is equal to any OF
them. A lady named Miss Mallett was
lying on the bed in her room when a
servant came TO the door and asked foI
some money. Half-raising herself tC
take the purse from her pocket, hel
feet were removed from the bed, when
one of the 100-pound monsters crashed
through the roof of the house, strucL
the part of the bed on which but 6
moment before the lower portion Of
her body had been lying, and so or
through the floor without exploding
The bed was covered with debris from
the roof, but the lady escaped unhurt
The Beers are preparing to spend the
winter in Natal. They are removing
their stock from the high veldt int
Natal for winter gazing and they arr
demanding that the Katiirs pay the hu
tax to them instead of to the Nata
government They also declare tina
unless the Kaffirs work for them the.
(the Kafiirs) must remove south of Sun
days river.
British forces are now in control o
Thabanchau, and it is said they vii
continue to hold it, owing to its STRAIT
egic Importance. Many burghers il
the vicinity are reported swearing al
legiance to Britain and giving up thei
arms.
Boer peace ENJOYS will leave Rotter
dam for the United States the for
part of this month. 1t is said the
place hopes in Bryan, thinking his in
fluence with the people may force tn
administration to do something TO
them.
n prisoner cdpLuISu ny bhS DiitiS
on the Goth asserts that President Stey
was present during the fight at Slang
fontein east of Leeuw lop on the 23t
lie had shaved his beard, so that h
was not easily recognizable.
The strength of the Beers in the Bis
garsberg district is believed to be b'
tween 5000 and 5000. They are con
manded by Gen. Lucas Meyer and al
, well supplied with artillery.
Lord Roberts cabled from Bloemfor
, TEN under date of April 25, as follow
! De Vets dorp was occupied by Gel
, Chermside without opposition tn
morning.
, Bloemfontein dispatches say til
British war Office must keep stead
stream of horses pouring into that di
trict for the use of Lord Roberts arm.
Z Gen. Oliver, Boer leader, is reporte
a to have been wounded at Wepener la