Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-22

London, April dispenser Wilkin-
son, reviewing the situation in South
Africa for the Associated Press, says
at midnight:
The Beers admirably understand
how to suit their tactics and strategy
to the country. Their art consists in
compelling the British to attack and
make exhausting marches across
country il-provided with roads. Thus
their first step is TO surround in su-
perior force any isolated party of
British. This compels the British if
they try to escape, to attack under
conditions which give all the adj
vantage of cover and defensive Use of
liile fire to the Boer force. The British
COMMUNICATIVE Chief is then forced to
send relief expedition from Il dis
lance The Boer forces interposes, and
the British. in order 10 get forward are
again compelled To attack.
This is the history of Wcpener,
where Colonel Dalghety and 1880 men
are surrounded by Beers. General
Brabant, from the South. and General
Rumble, from the West, have to fight
their way To the relief of Dalghety.
General Rumble has part of his own
and General Chermside's divisions,
which. if fully present, would make
$4,000 men. His plan should be to try
TO surround the Beers in front OF him,
but as they ride and his men walk,
he may find this impracticable and
have to push them back slowly by COM
binaton of Il flank with IL frontal at
tack.
1.-The Beers are using their small
iorces with great energy. A. day or
two ago they were accommodating Cen
eral Roberts position north of Bioem-
fontein. Next day they attacked Lord
Mcthucn, who was retiring toward Bo-
shot"
MEAGRE NEWS.
London, April 22.-dispatches arriv-
ing from the seat Of war, though
ineagrc and unsatisfactory, clearly in
dictate renewed activity at all points
where the British and Bocr forces are
in striking distance of each other. In
terest for the moment centres at Dew
cts Drop and Wepener. where lighting
evidently is in progress.
dispatch received from Aliwal
North, dated April q. says that there
was heavy firing on the previous day
between Dewets Dorp and Wepener
and around Wepener Saturday. but
that no particulars have been received.
A special dispatch from MaZeru,
dated Saturday. says:
1.-The Investment of Wepcnnr contin-
ues. The Beers seem determined to do
their utmost to capture the garrison
before relief arrives.
"ScYerc- fighting appears imminent"
The activity OF the Beers at Glands
1aagte apparently has failed TO draw
General Butler. if that was its object,
In doing more than rcpel the attack
made on his advance posts.
a dispatch from Warrenton, dated
Saturday, says:
There has been lntermitten and In
IF chi INF r,r hx-t No ,,.ho oil
fired a few shells. both during the day
and the night. at the station the past
two days.
BOER BULLETINS.
Kimberley, Friday, April 20-Boer
official notices have been found pla-
carded AT Campbell and elsewhere say
ing that in the recent battles the Beers
captured $1,000 troops Is cannon and
500 wagons, and setting forth that the
burghers were full of valor, that the
outlook was bright and saying con-
frmation had been received of the re-
port that Russia had invaded India
with two and q half million men,
Another officials Boer notice ap-
points General Lisbenburg to command
Griqualand West and warns all
burghers TO join under penalty of pun
iShment in accordance with the martial
law of the Free State.
BOER WOMEN SOLDIERS.
London, April 21.-A letter from n
nurse in a hospital at Cape Town cor
roborates an unpleasant feature OF the
war. The writer says the medical off,
GERS, for sanitary reasons. forced a
number OF Boer prisoners to battle in
the river behind the hospital. Two of
them absolutely refused to strip. and
when forced to do so, 1t was found
they were women in mems clothes. The
writer adds:
"While a number OF the dead on bat
tlefleids have been found to he women
similarly disguised, and, worse than all,
It has often been these women who
have been guilty of atrocities, such AS
killing the wounded"
AN ENGAGEMENT.
London, April 2i.--6:lS p. m.-The
Wa. Office has received the following
dispatch from Lord Roberts:
"Bloemfontein, April 2l.-Rundle's
forces came in contact with the enemy
yesterday four miles southwest of
Dewetsdorp. They occupied strong po-
sitons covering the town. The yeo-
many and mounted infantry seized an
other 2osition, which enabled Rumble
to drive the enemy off and occupy the
high ground the enemy had been hold
ing. Rumble advanced this morning
early, and is now again engaging with
the enemy. Our casualties yesterday