The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-04-26

London, April 22.-Severe fighting is
reported in progress on the Modder
river, between Karee Siding and Glen.
| The British hold strong position near
the large dam, and are supported by
artillery. The Beers are attacking on
two sides. Firing began early Thurs
day morning and continued until after
dark. The number of troops engaged
is not stated. Lord Roberts is under
stood to be pushing up achievements
from Bloemfontein. The daring of the
Beers in pressing so closely on Lord
Roberts main position is causing much
establishment In London. This latest
battle is taking place not more than hf-
teen miles from Bloemfontein.
Reports concerning the situation at
Wepener are conflicting. One dispatch
says that the siege has been aban-
dOned. Another asserts that the Beers
are persisting In the attack With q
force between 5000 and 10000 strong,
with fifteen guns.
A large Dutch force, with number
of guns and n large convoy is reported
as passing Thursday northward in the
neighDorhood Of Thaba N'Chu.
Considerable Importance is being
manifested here to know what has be-
come Of Lord Roberts three columns
dispatched
To Relieve Wepener,
and incidentally to capture the invest
ing army. Small parties of Dutch are
engaged in sniping along the Orange
river.
The report of the fighting at Karee
Siding. six miles north of Glen, may
be the first news of the progress Of the
British advance on Pretoria; but even
il this were only an unimportant
skirmish, there are many other indi~
cations that Lord Roberts is either
starting or has already started for the
northern goal. A dispatch from Cape
Town says the censorship restrictions
have been greatly increased, owing to
the movements Of the troops. All the
dispatches bear traces Of the strenuous
efforts of the correspondents to give
their papers an inkling of what is
afoot. The Beers south of Blocmfon-
tein are reported to be retreating.
Moving Over sodden Roads.
London, April 22.-Gen. Chermside
and Gen. Rumble are moving over sod
den roads. Rain was still falling
when they went into camp Thursday
afternoon eighteen miles west of De-
| wetsdOrp. They hold the railway and
the southern frontier of the Free State
with 10000 troops. How many are go
ing with the generals who will engage
the Beers ut Wepener, is not mention
ed In the latest dispatch from OOrtogs-
poort, where the British bivouacked
Wednesday night. The field telegraph
ends there. On Thursday the Beers
still had Col. Dalgetty closely peRned.
The governments reason for publish
ing Lord Roberts SpiOn Kop dis
patches was explained last evening at
Hull by Mr.. Walter Hume Long, pres
ident of the board Of agriculture, who
said Ghat the country was entitled TO
receive all the information the govern
ment could give. 1.-The government Is
told" continued Mr.. Long, that, hav-
ing published the dispatches, 1t is
bound to deal Immediately with tie,
generals affected, but in following such
q course the government might have to
dismiss every government officer the
moment he made mistake. Had such
policy been pursued in the past many
most glorious deeds would have gone
unperformed. The government used
its discretion In the publishing Of the
dispatches. From the beginning OF the
campaign her majesty's ministers have
not swerved from the rule of leaving
the conduct Of the operations to the
Judgment and discretion of the COM
mander-in-chief" Gen. White, if not
required In South Africa. will go out
as governor OF Gibraltar toward the
end of May.
Confirmed by Native Deserters.
Elandslaagte, April %. - Thursday
the British patrols discovered another
party Of Beers on the left in the same
position from which the enemy recent
ly fired on the South African horse.
In this instance. however there was
no firing. Native deserters confirm
previous statements with respect 10
the Notifications and strength of the
Beers along the Biggarsburg range.
| The enemy have recently established a
large hospital, which Is already filled.
and hospitals are being established by
them at various railway towns The
Beers are losing many horses The
rank and file are not allowed to for.
age for supplies. Their sugar is ex-
hausted and only bush tea is available.
The Beers are reported TO wish to leave
the Biggarsberg and to take up POI
| sition at Majuba, but the command
ants refuse.
Investment Relaxed.
London, April 2o.-The Times pub
fishes the following from TANNERS
burg, dated Thursday, April 10: The
investment OF the British position on
the east and south has been relaxed.
A majority Of the enemy are supposed
to have left for the purpose of inter-
cepting the relief column, leaving one
gun and about 1000 men on the west
to prevent our cooperation. Our cas-