Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-04-11

engagement took place yesterday at
Wepner. The Beers Vickers-Maxim
did considerable execution at first, but
the British guns soon got the range
and did great havoc. The Rouxylile
commando has gone to Wepener.
The fighting at Wepener was severe
and lasted all day. The Beers receiv-
ed check. The casualties were rath-
er heavy on both sides. Another COM
mando was advancing yesterday to-
ward Wepener from De Wetsdorp.
Heavy fighting was continued at
Wepener this morning, three Boer
commanders attacking the town.
LONDON, April 10.-The Boer at
tack on Gen. Brabant's force at WEEP
ener was resumed again at dawn to-
day. The enemy's attack on two or
three sides on Monday lasted until
2:30 o'clock in the afternoon when the
firing ceased and it was believed that
the enemy had been beaten off; but it
was announced this morning from Ali
wal North that the fighting had again
begun. Gen. Brabant force number
Ing from two to three thousand, hold
positions in rough country. 1t is not
known what the numerical strength
OF the Beers is, but whatever it may
be, it is being rapidly augmented. A
body of 1000 Beers is marching to-
ward SpringfOntein from Smithfield,
: between Wepener and Springfontein.
The defamation of heavy guns was
heard at Maseru on Monday. Sir God
frey Lagden, the British resident COM
missioner of Basutoland, has left Mas
cru for the border
The events in the southeast portion
OF the Free State have caused the
Eighth division, which had been Or
dered to Fourteen Streams, to be di-
Verted to Springfontein.
Mysterious movements of troops at
Bloemfontein are proceeding. The
newspaper correspondents are not al
lowed to telegraph their destinations
and the presumption is that Lord Rob-
ertS is making dispositions to cut off
the raiding Boer forces when they try
TO withdraw northward from the pur-
suing British columns
The temperance of the Beers in the
occupied country has caused a revival
OF the warlike feeling among the Free
Skaters of the FaureSmith and Philip
polls districts. The federal agents are
busy getting details of the surrendered
Beers, and owing to the British garri-
sons being withdrawn from these dis
tricts the British residents are uneasy
and sent delegates to Springfontein to
ask for help. They were told that
steps for their defense would be i'm
mediately taken.
The Beers are reported to have VEN
tured south of the Biggarsberg and to
be posting heavy guns four miles north
of Elandslaagte. They are also said
to have fortified the vicinity of Was
sells Mex
The war office proposes to land at
Cape Town before the end of May 90
600 horses, which will be conveyed
there in % steamers sailing from New
Orleans, BuenoS Ayres and Australian
ports.
The Westminster Gazette likens the
British campaign to the 'fruitless SER
les of campaigning in which the large
disciplined armies of Spain sought to
crush the Cuban insurrection," adding:
"Of course our troops far excel in val
or and discipline the conscript armies
of Spain, and the climate is in our
favor. but our enemies equally excel
the ragged levies of the Cuban insur-
gents
The Leader says: THE reports from
Boer as we'll as from British sources
Of our reverses near the Bloemfontein
railway are truly lamentable. They
show a distinct lack of care and lead
ing In the face of surprise we seem
utterly without resource except reli-
ance on pluck. That is a safe card to
play, but we thought we had learned
something of late years in the COM
missioned ranks. What light does
this war throw upon that possibility"
PIETERMARITZBURG, April TO-
Heavy cannonading commenced this
morning in the vicinity of Glands
laagte.
J. MAFEKING, March 27.-News was
received yesterday of the advance of
the southern relief column.
The Beers this morning opened fire
at sunrise, with seven guns, including
one 100-pounder. This has been the
most vigorous bombardment of the
season. The Boer siege gun alone has
already fired over 60 rounds. Under
cover of the fire the Beers advanced
to the northern face of the works, but
retired precipitately on coming within
rife range. They also advanced to the
southwestern posts, but were repulsed.
There was one casualty.
The Beers, under Commandant Jan
Cronje, are evidently falling back be-
ore the advance of the southern relief
column and are concentrating with
two commanders who are retiring be-
tore Col Plumer in order to make a
final effort to reduce the town.
All the forts and outlying positions
Ire manned, the troops are standing
10 arms and everybody is under cover.
All are convinced that this is the
Beers last attempt.
NEW YORK, April 10.-A dispatch
10 the Herald from Ladysmith, April
B, says: The Beers have placed a big
gun on Knights Hill, north of Eland-
slaagte, and another in the vicinity of
Vessels Mex station. The enemy are
reported to be strongly entrenched at
Helmakaar.
LADYSMITH, April 10.-Heavy fir
Ing was heard early this morning in
the direction of Sundays river 1t
continued for few hours. No details
Of the engagement have been received.
BETHULLE, Orange Free State,
April 9-It is expected that the Beers
will endeavor to fetake or destroy.