Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-04
fBy Telegraph to vlrginian-pllot.)

tBy Telegraph to vlrginian- Pilot.)
London. March 4.-4:1O a. NIT is cv-
ident that n strict censorship Is being
exercised over The news at the seat OF
war, as the night has not added any
thing to the scanty dispatches re-
ceived during the day, most OF which
referred to matters preceding the re-
cent stirring events.
The War Office minated at mid
night that there was no prospects of
news until something definite shall
have been done. This is quite in keep
ing with the complcte silence which
Lord Roberts has hitherto observed
while his plans We're In progress OF
accomplishment, and until he Is in ac-
tual grip with the Beers it is probable
that the public will hear little or moth
ing OF his doings.
VISIONS OF PEACE.
London. March 3.-President Kruger
Is said to have left Pretoria with the
intention OF meeting President Steyn.
The place where they Will meet Is not
mentioned, hurt it is believed to be
somewhere In the Orange Free State.
Those in South Africa who are con-
versant with the effect the recent re-
verses have had on the Beers express
the opinion that The meeting OF the
Two Presidents is preliminary 10 n sug-
gcstion OF negotiations for peace.
But the closest observers do not an
ticipatc any sudden cessation of hos
tilitics, and, certainly, the reports from
the theatre of war do not tend to en-
courage the advocates OF immediate
peace. The Beers are apparently rally
ing with their accustomed ability to
repair temporary reverse. and Great
Britain has yet to test their force as
a defensive power under the new con-
ditions of warfare.
Outside the meeting OF the Presidents,
there Is no news indicative OF any
change in the situation.
TelegraphinG from Osfontcin to-day,
thanking the Lord Mayor of Liverpool
for his congratulations in behalf OF the
city. Lord Roberts says: II trust Her
AIajcsty's soldiers in this country will
gain suc, further successes as will
speedily restore the freedom and pros
perity OF South Africa.
THE SITUATION REVIEWED.
London, March 4.-Spencer wilkins
son. reviewing the situation III South
Africa. for the Associated Press, at mid
night tonight says:
surprised to find that he had beaten the
Beers Tuesday. Nothing is commoner
in war than for an army, after hard
fighting, to be doubtful OF the extent
OF it's success. Few Generals learn MS
Grant did in his first command, that
the enemy was as much frightened of
me as was of him. The question now
il; as to the future course Of events.
There cannot be much doubt as to the
issue provided no foreign powers or
power interfere.
WHAT ROBERTS CAN DO.
LORD Roberts can either order Gene
raj Butler, with the 10000 men of the
united Natal army, to advance on Pre-
toria, while he himself moves by
Bloemfontein and the Free State rail-
way. or he can bring round most OF
Buffers force to reinforce his own
army. In either case the Beers strate-
gists will have q hard task to make q
promising plan of campaign.
THE best Boer plan is. perhaps, to
leave the rear guard to cover the passes
from Natal and to concentrate all the
rest of their forces to resist Lord Rob-
erts. In this way they might in q week
from now meet Lord Roberts. with.
perhaps, equal numbers. but Roberts
will be reinforced from week to week.
while the Beers cannot be for the
moment.
are six or seven thousand beers within
striking distance of Roberts at Osfon-
tcin. If this is the case he will either
dispense or capture the small Doer force
unless 1t retreats rapidly until rein
forced. Lord Roberts Will probably con-
trive to push forward n small force on
the Mafeking line and raise the siege
while he is drawing the principal Boer
army onto himself"
BUTLER CABLES THE QUEEN.
London. March s.-The Queen to-day
received the following dispatch from
General Butler:
"T,he troops much appreciate Your
Majesty's kind telegram. Your Majes-
ty cannot know how much your SYM
pathy has helped to inspire them"
HAS MAFEKING BEEN RELIEVED ?
London. March A special dispatch
from Brussels announces that Dr.
I>eyds authorizes an absolute denial of
the repQrt that he had received news
that Mafeking had been relieved.