Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-08


cort to st. Helena. which was. last
month, placed in cable communication
with Cape Town and London.
1t is also asserted that the cabinet
has resolved neither to propose nor to
entertain proposals at the present
Juncture for an exchange of prisoners.
London, March S.-A dispatch to the
Times from Osfontein, dated Tuesday,
March 6. says: "A commando of 5000
Beers has offered to surrender. but on
impossible terms. Gen. Cronje's losses
were greater than he admitted. Sixty
bodies of Beers have been found in one
grave"
London, March S.-A. G. Hales, the
correspondent of the Daily News. who
was captured by the Beers, Feb Q. and
released, a few days ago, at Bloem-
fontein, telegraphing from Sterks-
troom, Tuesday, says: While | was
a prisoner at Bloemfontein | had an
interesting interview with President
Steyn. He said the burghers We're de-
termined to fight to the last man and
that the struggle in the Free State
would be chid's play compared with
what would follow in the Transvaal.
President Steyn predicted that the
capitulation of Pretoria would be pre-
ceded by events which would astonish
Europe. He appointed deputy pres
ident to remain at Bloemfontein during
his absence at Pretoria in the interests
of the Free State"
A correspondent of the Morning Post
at Osfontein, telegraphing. Tuesday,
March 6, says: The agitation by the
peace party in England and the hope
that the Conservative government may
be defeated are neutralizing the effect
of the British victories because they
encourage the Beers to persist in the
struggle"
London, March Spencer Wilkin-
son, in the Morning Post, today. says:
The Boer retreat is disappointing. 1t
reminds me of a conversation | had
with Lord Roberts, seven years ago,
while his guest on tour of the Pun
jab. | wanted to know all about GER
tain points in the campaign in Afghan
istan and, accordingly, asked him why
he almost always sent Il detachment
to turn the enemy. | added some rea-
sons why such an operation might be
dangerous in a European war.
Lord Roberts replied that as regards
European war he quite agreed with
me but he added: You should al
ways consider the enemy with whom
YOU have to deal. Turn an Asiatic and
he will always GO
Until now none Of us have classed
the Beers with the Asiatics but We
know at least that. so soon as their
flank is menaced, they are off. This
looks very much as though recent
events had demoralized them.
Yesterdays event is not quite con-
elusive. II cannot be the Boer game
to be beaten in detail. Their only
chance is to collect the bulk of their
forces for a decisive battle. If they
have not enough men or spirit to stand
up to Lord Roberts, their case is hope
less. 1t begins to look. indeed. as if
my original estimate of the strength
of the enemy's forces-about 10000
We're not far wrong. In that case the
game is up, for they must have lost
600 of the original $4,000 The escape
Of the Boer force, yesterday, however.
is most disappointing. A good general
- iipl SclNiSlltu with llIt itlItdl bl Ills
enemy. He wishes to destroy them"
London, March S-A dispatch to tho
Times from Modder river, dated yester-
day. says: "The Beers occupy an eXtcn-
Sivc position between ourselves and both
Eloemfontein and Wiburg. They include
the bulk of the Natal force and are under
Gen. Joubcrt himself. Only sufficient men
h nay been fn !ef{ to hoI4 Van Reenan pas
are reported during the trek. An engage
mcnt is imminent which will probably be
decisive as to the whole war"
The Times publishes the following dis
patch from LOurenzo Marques, dated
Monday. March ): president kruger's
precipitatc journey to Natal was due to
Gen ,Toubert's representations that the
alarmed the Free staters that they had
become uncomfortable. There is every
indication of chaos and disqualification il
the burgher ranks. The Boer losses in
Natal from Tuesday to Friday. last week.
were " killed and 200 wounded. The Free
State Raad has been summoned to meet
in April"
Worcester. Mass. March THE British
Jubilee Association voted. tonight. to con
tribute $500 to the British South African
Patriotic fund. The remainder of a fund
Of $500 will he used in erecting a memo
rial to Queen Victoria IN this city. Inc
money voted. tonight. will be augmented
by the receipts at mass meeting in this
city, next week.
St. Johns y. F.. March Mr.. Cham
berlain. when asking the British autono-
nous colonies what military forces they
had available for foreign service if re
quired. Intercepted New Foundland as to
the naval reserve. the governor, Lieut..
Col. Sir Henry Edward McCallum. is ar
ranging for its organization. 81. Johns Is
likely to be fortified and converted into a
naval station.
Glencoe, Natal, Saturday, March .
President Kruger returned to Pretoria,
today. His address to the burghers
has fired them with fresh enthusiasm
to continue the fight for independence
and to bring the war to a successful IS
sue.
Carnarvon. Cape Colony, Tuesday.
March Ga refugee who has arrived
here from Kenhardt says that early on
Wednesday. Feb. IS, shots were eX-
between native tribe
and the rebels, who retired
Commandant De kop ar
rived with q flag of truce. The magis-
trata who went from Kenhardt to meet
him was Immediately made prisoner,
and the rebels then poured into the
town. hoisted the white flag, proclaim
cd the district to be Free State terri