The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-04-26

London, April % Severe fighting is
A reported in progress on the Modder
1 river. between Karee Siding and Glen.
The British hold a strong position near
the large dam, and are supported by
artillery. The Beers are attacking on
two. sides. Firing began early Thurs
1 day morning and continued until after.
dark. The number OF troops engaged
| is not stated. Lord Roberts is under.
stood to be pushing up endorsements
| 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 tif-
teen miles from Bloemfontein.
Reports concerning the situation at
Wepener are conflicting. One dispatch
says that the siege has been aban-
sdoaed, Another asserts that the Boers
"a re- sxsisting in. the stftlrk with "a
force between 5000 and 10000 strong,
Withsffteen gums.
IA large Dutch force, with numbers
,of guns and a large convoy is reported
! as passing Thursday northward It'd the
neigh6orhood Of Thaba N'Chu. u
Considerable Importance is, being
manifested here TO know what has be-
come Of Lord Roberts three columns
dispatched !
To Relieve Wepener, ].
and incidental 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
ii this We're only IN 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 Bloemfon-
TEN are reported to be retreating.
Moving over sodden Roads.
London, April % 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 theSrailway and
the southern frontier of the Free State
with 10000 troops. How many are GO
ing with the generals who will engage
the Beers at Wepener, is not mention
ed Id 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 penned.
The governments reason for publish-
ing Lord Roberts Spion Kop dis
patches was explained last evening at
Hull by Mr.. Walter Hume Long, pres
dent of the board OF agriculture, who
said rlat the country was entitled to
receive all the information the govern
nent could give. .'.The government is
old continued Mr.. Long, '.that, hay-
ng published the dispatches, it is
pound to deal Immediately with tie,
generals affected, but in following such Y
| course the government might have to
lismlss every government officer the
moment he made Il mistake. Had such
! policy been pursued in the past many
most glorious deeds would have gone
The government used
is discretion In the publishing OF the
dispatches. From the beginning Of the
ampaign her majesty'S ministers have
lot sweryed from the rule Of leaving
he conduct of the operations to the
Judgment and discretion of the COM 4
nander-in-chief." Gen. White, il not
equired in South Africa, will so out
s governor Of Gibraltar toward the
nd Of May.
Confirmed by Native Desertcrs. Z
Elandslaagte, April 90. Thursday !
he British patrols discovered another :
arty OF Beers on the left in the same
esftion from which the enemy recent
7 fired on the South African horse.
n this instance. however. there was
O firing. Native deserters confirm :
revious statements with respect TO :
he Notifications and strength of the !.
oeis along the Biggarsburg range. !,
he enemy have recently established n I
rge hospital. which Is already filled,
nd hospitals are being established by J,
lem at various railway towns. The y
oers .sEre losing many horses. The
ink and file are not allowed to for
&c for supplies. Their sugar is ex-
lusted and only bush tea is available. Y
he Beers are reported to wish to leave y
le Biggarsberg and to take up a POI = =
ton at Majuba, but the command. s s
ITS refuse.
Investment Relaxed. Z