The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-23

| Continued From Page one.
| the Queen, The Pretoria people are ap-
| prehensive of rising OF the prisoners
| and agitate for a transference Of the
whole number to a point inside the Brit
| ish lines. saying that four thousand, more
| or less. make no difference.
Boer Reception in Washington.
The morning papers continue to discuss
at length President McKinley's refusal to
intervene. pointing out the collapse of
the Beer cause
The Times says: THE Boer delegates in
the United States have had an interview
with President Mckinley and the answer
is exactly what we had a right to exuect
from the chief magistrate of great friend
ly nation. 1t is just as Well, as things have
turned out, that Mr.. Mckinley made a
tender of offices TO Lord Salisbury, when
we did not appreciate when we first heard
1t, for the answer which the presidents
suggestion necessarily called forth has
served a double purpose, as IL made the
position of this government and nation
unmistakable to the whole world ana
armed Mr.. Mckinley with indisputlble
reasons for refusing to listen to the Boer
emiSaries
1.-The refusal Of the United States to in
terfere in a quarrel which Is none Of
theirs will further exasperate, we are
afraid. the susceptbilities of those we'll
known champions Of justice and freedom,
the Novosti and the Novoe Vremyea, both
Of which are in the worst humor now over
our recent successes"
Ambushed by Beers.
The war office received the following
from Butler: Newcastle. May 22-I have
the following from Bethune May III
While marching in the direction OF New
castle, one OF his squadrons of mounted in
fantry was ambushed by Beers six miles
west of Vriheid and very few escaped.
Lieut. Lasum and Capt. Long are among
the missing. Total casualties about sixty
six. I have returned to Mouth for sup
plies. VIII march tomorrow for New
castle, via Dundee
IT detached Col Bethune and 500 men
from Dundee. May II. with instructions 10
march by Vautsdrift and show his force
at MOUTH. which was reported evacuated
by the enemy, preparatory to return OF the
magistrates and civil establishments 10
the district. He was TO join me at New |
castle afterwards"
Mahon's Report to Roberts.
Lord Roberts reports to the war office |
In a dispatch dated Kroonstad. Nav u. as |
follows: "Mahon reports that the dying |
column entered Mafeking at a. m, MAY |
IT, He was stubbornly opposed by 500 |
men on May I, nine miles from Mafeidng, |
but the Beers were driven from their |
strong positions after five hours fighting, |
thanks, he says, to the magnificent quail. |
ties Of his troops. detachment of Cana |
dian artillery by a series of forced marches. |
reached him the morning Of the fighting
and rendered very valuable assistance.
"Mahon's casualties were about thirty.
The Boer losses were heavy"
Among. BOer Prisoners.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail, dated
Mafekng, May 49, says:
Among the prisoners captured with
Commandant Sarel Eloff are Count de
Fremont, a Frenchman. and Count Won
Weiss German. 1t is found that the
Beers were guided by two deserters nam
ed Hay and Bolton. At the enemy's re-
quest we have handed over their dead
To-day one of our men was asked to sur |
render, and replied. Never The Beers |
at once shot him through the head"
Beers Have Left Natal.
dispatch from Pietermaritzburg, May |
y. SAYS:
THE Beers are reported to have entirely |
left Natal. leaving Laings mex free. II |
this is true 1t leaves the way open for |
Butler to advance into the Transvaal as |
soon as repairs TO the railroad are suffi- |
cient to insure good communication. Rob
erts is still at Kroonstad reorgantzing his |
forces. Gen. Rundes forces are encamp- |
ed at Trommel. recuperating.
"A patriot four miles from Trommel |
was attacked by Beers The affair was
unimportant except in showing that the |
Beers are on the lookout for any chances
OF snipng. and are stiI in the neighbor- |
hood. Further details of the fighting at
Mafeking say Commandant Elon's follow
ers deserted him. whereupon Eloff fired
on them himself and then surrendered"
The dispatch also says one party of
Boers driven of the Staat and |
allowed to escape, as I'VE had sufficient
prisoners" The capture OF Eloft and his
followers cost Baden Powell three men
killed and four wounded.
Kruger's Health Is Good.
PRETORIA. MAY 22.-An open-air
meeting was held today by the local Hoi-
landers. POO OF whom were present to
consider the situation in the event of
Pretoria $ being beeaguered. 4 commit
tee was appointed TO see about securing a
place of security for women and chill
dren.
DR.. Heyman contradicts the reports cir
culated regarding the health of President |
Kruger which he says is good. Kruger
is transacting all work Of the presidency. |
with an understanding with Gen. Botha
and President Steyn. the government has
issued a circular stating that should the
enemy succeed In gaining a position IN |
the Transvaal and take possession Of one
or the other districts the inhabitants will
be free to decide whether TO leave their
families, but they must remain with their
Commands.
British Cross the Naal.
CAPE TOWN. May 22.-British troops
have arrived at Neereeuing dn Trans
vaal north OF Naal river The bridge !
across the Vaal was found intact Twen-
ty-seven Free Staters and two locomotives |
were captured.