Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-14
crossing favorably. They had been ex-
tended to the brick fields, whence the
enemy had been completely expelled.
SPEEDY RELIEF EXPECTED.


8, Via Lobatsi, March Q, says:
All WE'LL but town still beseiged."
number of cablegrams have been
received from Mafeking to-day, includ-'
ing one TO firm at Birmingham, ask
ing 1t to ship goods Immediately, thus
indicating the belief of the speedy re-
lief of the place.
The indications are that Colonel Plu-
mer was at Lobatsi March Q, and as it
Is only fifty-seven miles thence to
Mafeking. definite news ought to be
speedily forthcoming.
Hershel. Cape Colony, March 13.-The
Cape Mounted Police have recouped
Barkley East.
Foreign Office, March i'll have the
honor to acknowledge your honor's
telegram, dated March s. from BlOem-
fontein. of which the purport Is prin
cipally to demand that Her Majestys
Government shall recognize the confess
table independence' of the South Afri-
can Republic and Free State as foreign
international states, and to offer on
those terms to bring the war to q con-
cluson.
"In the beginning of October last
peace existed between Her Majesty and
the two republics under conven tions
which then were in existence. Il dis
cussion had been proceeding for some
months between Her Majesty's Govern
ment and the South African Republic.
VI NiiSii NHG OJJGCl WIS " ODtulU &c
dress for certain very serious griev-
ances under which the British resi-
dents in South Africa were suffering.
In The course OF these negotiations the
South African Republic had TO the
knowledge of Her Majesty's Govern
ment. made considerable ornaments.
ana the latter had consequently taken
steps to provide corresponding rein
forcements. of the British garrisons at
Cape Town and in Natal. No infringe
,nent Of the rights guaranteed by the
conventions had, up to that point, taken
place ON the British side. Suddenly. at
TWO DAYS notice, the South African
Republic, after issuing an Insulting
ultimatum. declared war upon Her
Majesty; and the Orange Free State.
with whom there had not even been any
discussion. took similar step. Her
Ma)esty's dominions were Immediately
invaded by the two republics Siege
was laid to three towns within the Brit
ism frontier, large portion of two
colonies were oVerrun with great de-
struction of property and life, and the
republics claimed to treat the inhabi
tants OF extensive portions of Her Ma
1estys dominionS as if those dominions
had been annexed to one or the other
or them. In authorization of these
operations the South African Republic
mad been accommodating for many years
past military stores on AN enormous
scale: which. by their character. could
only have been intended for use AGAINST
Great Britain.
your Honors make some obscrya-
IONS OIL II negative character upon the
OBJECT with which these preparations
were made. I do not think it necessary
To discuss the questions you have
raised. But the result OF these prepar-
atlons, carried on with great secrecy,
has been that the British empire has
Dseh compelled to confront an inya-
sion which has entalcd upon the en-
pre- costly war and the loss OF thou
SANDS of precious lives. This great ca
lamlty has been greatly the penalty
treat Britain has suffered for having
OF recent years ncquiesced TO the exist
ence OF the two Republics. In view of
the use to which the two Republics
nave put the position which was given
them, and the calamities their unpro
voked attack have inflicted on Her Ma
1estys dominions, Her Majesty's Gov
ernlnent can only answer Your Honors'
telegram by saying that they are not
prepared to assent to the independence
either OF the South African Republic or
the Orange Free State"
BOERS DRIVEN BACK.
= 4AliwaE Nerth,-etspe-eel eny-t t,y-rr,t,=-
rier TO Burghersdorp. via Stornberg
junction. Tuesday. March 13.)-General
Brab ants forces arrived here Sunday.
The Beers had retired the previous
night, taking up Al position four emiles
beyond the Orange river, where Gener-
al Brabant attacked and drove them
back, securing the position after n
sharp engagement
London. March 1S.-Lord Roberts tel
egraphs from Venters Wei at 500
CLOCK this morning as follows:
directed General French, if there
WAS time before dark to seize the rail-
way station at Bloemfontein and thus
secure the rolling stock. At midnight
received a report from him that after
considerable opposition he had been
able TO occupy two hills close to the
railway station which command Bloem-
fontein.
"a brother OF President Stcyn has
bean made prisoner.
The telegraph line leading north
ward has been Gu. and the railway
broken up.
II am now starting with the Third
Cavalry brigade, which 1 called up
from the Seventh Division near Petrus-
berg. and the mounted infantry to re-
inforce the cavalry division. The rest
of the division will follow as quickly
as nossfhle.''
The War Office has received the fol-
lowing additional dispatch from Lord
Roberts at Vcntcrs Wei dated March
12;h. $3.50 p. M:
Our march was again unopposed.
We are now about eighteen miles from
Bloemfontein. The cavalry division is
astride the railway six miles south of
Bloemfontein.
CASUALTIES.
There were Sel men wounded and
about sixty or seventy killed or are
missing.
Colonel Umpholy has died of his
wounds Lieutenant Pratt, of the Es-
sex Regiment. was wounded severely.
The wounds are as a rule more serious