The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-19
And Roberts is EndeavOring to
Snare the Beers.
FIGHTING HAS CEASED
While Each Side is Striving For
an Advantage.
Renewed Threats Regarding
johannesburg Mines.

Daily News from Cape Town says;
gentleman just arrived from the Trans
vaal assures me that not a single gu1
remains in the Pretoria forts.
The arrival Of General Darlington at
Beira, Portuguese. East Africa ana Il
reiteration of the report that the BoeIs
intend blowing up the johannesburg
mines are the only items of news that
mark today's war cables. Weeks must
elapse before Gen. Darlington VIII Oe
able to concentrate his force on borders
of the Transvaal or approach MaIeklhs.
According to a rumor in circulation at
Lorenzo Marques a Boer force has been
sent to intercept Gen. Darlington, but 1t
is not thought to be OF sufficient
strength to cause anxiety
The Natal Mercury is responsible Tor
the renewed fears concerning the mines,
printing accounts from newly arrived
refugees, saying elaborate preparations
for the destruction of all the Johannes
burg shafts have been carried on under
the supervision of the state mining en-
gineer, who is alleged to have requlsl-
toned all the copper wire in the town for
the purpose of making connections
The BlOemfOntein dispatches remain
fun of trivial details, but are absolutely
silent as to the future.
According to a dispatch from Lady
smith, dated today, the Beers are much
disconnected by the present condition OF
affairs. Their fortiications and forces,
numbering about $4,000 men are spread
over ridges in contemplation of a Brit
ish advance through the Waschbank
valley north of Ladysmith which has
not been occupied. The Boer patrols are
active and are constantly laying traps.
MYSTERIOUS ROBERTS.
New York, April ia Tribune dis
patch from London says:
There is a strong impression in the
best informed military circles that the
advance of Gen. Roberts has already
begun. under the guise of a deliberate
attempt TO entraD the Beers Who have
been besieging Wepener Columns are
admitted to be in motion from Aliwal
North and from Reddersburg for the re-
lief Of the garrison of Wepener, but it is
suspected that there are other columns
operating further north which have not
been mentioned by Gen Roberts and
that under the pretense of cutting OF
the retreat of the Boer raiders he has
entered upon a great turning movement
which will render the enemy'S position
north of BlOemfOntein untenable. The
rigOr with which the censorship is en-
forced seems to corroborate this theory.
But a more reasonable view is that the
suppression of the raid in the south
eastern corner Of the Free State is an
episode and that when the British army
moves it viii follow the railway and not
stop until Pretoria is occupied.
There is a strong probability that
when the raiders in the south are either
captured or dispersed, Gen. Roberts
army will go north with his irresistible
force and the campaign will be ended
more speedily than even the Optimists
now venture to hope. Gen. White is
now beyond the reach of the criticism
which is proving so destructive to the
regulations of the generals in the field.
He made another felicitous address at
Egham and declared that Ladysmith
with John Bull behind it was never
without nope. Meanwhile the two or
three generals who finally rescued La
dysmith have been left in untenable
position by the publication of General
Roberts structures upon their SpiOn
kop reports. 1t was rumored that Gen.
Warren had been recalled to England
and while there was no direct official
confirmation the story is probably true.
The cooperation of Gen. Butler and
Gen Warren in Natal is rendered i'm
possible by the appearance Of their re-
ports in print The same argument an
plies to the relations Of Gen. Roberts
and Gen. Butler and a change in COM
mand of the British forces in Natal is
considered the inevitable consequence
OF the publication Of Lord Roberts in
cisiVe criticism.
The fact is recalled that Gen. War
Ten DIVISION was sent to Durham after
the relief Of LaLysmith bound for Cane
COLONY and that the orders We're sud
denly recalled and the troops ordered
back to upper Natal. Two other brig
AIDES after considerable delay We're de-
tached from Buffers force and are now
operating against the Beers in the Free
state. There have been signs of unde.
cision and uncertainty in the emDIoI-.
ment OF Gen. Buffers forces and there
are some mysteries which are not vel
unraveued
There is no confirmation Of A runno,
lhaI Mr. Campbell -Bannerman is BEN
upon resigning the liberal Leadership
ana that Sir Edward Grey will he bis
successor Nearly all the prominent 1ib
erals VIII attend the Australian Dime,
but there will be no opportunitv tbsrs
Tor private consultation
TORE OFF THEIR PAnCEG
London April 19.-According to a die.
patch to the Daily Mail from I,o,11.en,C S--5
Marques, nearly half the ruer9l,a, ,s - -
Nhicago ambulance corps when offeraG
Mausers on their arrival at Pret0-fo
tore of their Red Cross badges. Adj
bert ). Hay, United States consul mott.
fled the Transvaal government that =,
must report the circumstance to Wash,
tngton.
HAY NOTIFIES WASHINGTON.
Washington, April 19.-United state,
consul Hay at Pretoria has notified tn,
state department by cable of the re
ported action of the members of th,
thlcago ambulance corps in taking IN
arms IN the Boer army. instead of con
Ilhulng with the hospital CORPS to yK-hicl
they had pledged themselves upon IeaJ-
ing the United States. Apparently tb,
Portuguese authorities at Lorenzo Mar
ques had doubts as to the actual neu
Irahty OF these men for the party wa
detained many days at the mort hefor
they We're allowed to proceed over tn
railroad to Pretoria.
me dispatch stated that a letter from
VOr. - A1 Ia
MISS Barton was said to have de
clareu that certain members of the mar
~ were known to her and believed +o h
going under true cOlors. -
Nha nfIlnial. L. -