Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-28
MINER AT BLOEMFONTEIN.
His Visit Thought to Be of n Political
Character.

Character.
LONDON. March 2S-The British high
commissioner, Sir Alfred Miner, arrived at
Bloemfontein last night and was met pS
Lord Roberts and his staff.
According to dispatch from Bloemfon-
tein published in the second edition OF the
Times the high commissioners visit Is OF
a private nature. 1t is thought this can
scarcely be anything but an official subter-
fuee. the question of the pacification OF
the Free State and the treatment of the
Insurgents doubtless being discussed be-
tween Lord Roberts and Sir Alfred Miner.
According to the same dispatch, General
French, previous to returning to Bloemfon-
TEN, occupied the -four mills near Batter,
which are considered an important acqui-
sition.
Reports from Rouxville and other towns
say the surrender of arms to the British
continues satisfactorily.
Gen. Clements column entered FaureSmlth
Tuesday, March %, having previously occu-
pied Jagersfontein. Magistrates were ap-
pointed, the proclamation was read, bands
of music met the troops and flags were
flown. The scenes reSembled the American
occupation of Porto Rican towns.
Among the spectators at Fauresmith was
President Steyns daughter. Heavy rains
made Gen. Clements march hard, and are
causing sickness among the troops.
Beers Rcoccupy Ladybrand.
A dispatch from Maseru, Basutoland.
dated Tuesday, March 81. says the appar-
emily reliable reports that the Beers are
re-entering Ladybrand cause the presuInp-
ton that the British troops have crossed
the line OF the Boer retreat toward kroon-
stadt and that fight or surrender near
Ladybrand is imminent. AS Maseru dis
Fo,- tlat,-
curacy and as the British force near Lady
brand under Col. Pitcher, is quite small,
nothing very definite seems likely to result
from the operations.
Further advices from Mafeking, dated
March 16, reiterate that all was well there
and that the Gordon was not SO tightly
Drawn the Beers allowing natives to pass
through their lines, which they had pre-
vlously forbidden.
The native refugees are reported to DC
too stupid and lazy to work or take cover
from the shells, They gather In crowds
around the soup Kitchens and have to be
| driven away when the warning bell rings.
The bombardment, just previous to the
dispatch being sent, had been unusually
vigorous, and it was added that 1t was
probable that before long the rations would
| be still further reduced.
Two Boer prisoners escaped from the
camp at Simonstown March IS The sick
ness there is uuabated, and many of the
prisoners are in a serious condition.
Scant News From Gen. Butler.
| The only word from Gen. Butler is re-
| port of the officers who have recovered
| from wounds and who have returned to
| duty, which list includes the name OF
/ Lieut.. John Churchill, brother of Winston
| Churchill.
| a special dispatch from Bloemfontein
says:
''1he period of inaction is coming to an
| end. Troops are being pushed to the front
and transports and stores are being col
| lected. The men are in grand condition
| and the horses are picking up wonder
fully
| However, the reports regarding the imi-
| nence of a forward movement are so con.
| tiicting that they cannot be taken in any
| way authoritative.