The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-23
Conflicting Reports as to Situa-
tion at Bloemfontein.
Lord Methuen Has Beeu Ordered -
Retire From Boshof, II BcinU
Feared That Boers Would soon
Have Him In Trap-lfttie News
Military Operations - Relieved
THAT Gen. Bulicr WIN he Retiev-
cd. and That Kitchener WIN Re-
ceive an Independent Command.

LONDON, April So : a. m.--rt is quito
probable that by this time Gen. Rumble
has fought a decisive battle with the
Beers lie intrenehed himself SATURDAY,
to await the arrival OF Gen. Camptreli.
with the Sixteenth brigade. That COM
mander arrived Saturday evening. and
news may therefore be expected at amy
moment
II 5 still impossible 20 ascertain the po-
sitlon OF affairs at Bloemfontein. or to
learn when the long-expecied advance
northward will begin, The dispatches
conflict regarding the state of prepara-
tons. For instance. the hloemfontoin
correspondent OF the Daily Chronicle says
the troops have been sappied with winter
clothing. and that the Aiodaer river has
fallen sufficiently TO permit cavalry to
cross. The Standards report says almost
the exact opposite. Present Indications.
however, point 10 still further delay.
Boer Force undercstimatea.
without attaching undue Importance TO
the stories from Lourenzo Marques con-
cerning the strength OF the Isoer forces,
II would almost seem that the former es-
iimaies OF 5000 were rather low.
During the last few days there has been
n renewal OF Boer activity In all parts
OF the theater OF war. The tenacity Of
the enemy around Col Dalgety proves
that considerable forces are stu there.
Lord Roberts has ordered Lord Methuen
20 retire from Boshof. probably for the
same reason. The presence OF Roer
force at Frankfort looks like an endeayor
10 cut on Methuen, who may NEXT bs
heard OF as retiring upon Kimberley
The Beers are said to have been en-
cirtiing Bloemfonsein to tho eastward.
There have been several outpost affairs in
that vicinitx.
Butler 20 he Removed.
The Eleventh division. under uen. Pole
carew, and the Fourth cavalry brigade.
nre operating toward Sannas Post In
Natal there Is no dimnution OF Boer ae-
tivity.
II is reported that Sir Charles Warren
Is to be appointed governor Of the FREQ
State Nothing Is known regarding Gen.
Butler, but there is little doubt about his
removal. and a rumor has II that Lord
Kitchener will get nm important independ-
ent command.
The Bocr peace commissioners are un-
derstood 20 have been disappointed by
their yisat 10 The Hague. bat are detar-
mined to visit Berlin and Paris before go
Ing 20 Washington.
Bocrs Wait for Nethuen.
A correspondent of the Times at Boshof.
telegraphing Saturday. says:
Il have been with an ambulance to tha
sosr lines. While there conversed with
commandant csrop3s. second aon of ibs
famous general. and with Assistant eoin-
fnand4nt Dowihwaite. They had expected
Methuen TO operate on the east. and were
stili expecting him and they were conh-
dent that they c9aid defeat his column.
"BowthwaIte csmplaipea that no bad
not changed his riothinE Tor fortnight.
indicAt.ng that he had travelled a long
distance. bat sonid not ascertain from
what 84iut
'srhe Boer commNnsio occusisa strong
positions around splfs kop, stegs Rx
miles northeast IF Buzsof
Intr~nehsnw as Pretoria.
The Daily News hAs the following from
I.oarenEo Msraoex. dated Friiay Aptfl -;
''it - reported here that Gen Dewes has
i~en Killed other fsuropaan amhsiants
corps besides the fFtsbsAmefigaHs are TAX
iug np arms ~ bshalf ~ sbe fs3efa Tho
latter are Q8stie 20 obtain ssnakslsKa
powdsr
Trenches are heinz constructed for
eight miles around Pretoria. There ere
AlEty~fi4sts suns ~ fsfastfpu AZ kFVHftsEa +,
and seven FreBeh Kssns NJ PfetoFia. Twsn.
ty-fyo mines ~ IshannsfhHrg have fesa
charged Nigh dynamite and Tie johannes
burg fort hes f-en dsmansiei"
stsya'. i@rassias~d speech.
The Bieemfogstein correspondent ~ the
Morning Post telegrAphirg FRIDAY. says.
President sta1na address % the hrff-
Ehsfs was an inapaassou~i speech. lie i'm
plored them t. continue ihsir rssissanes
uutu the Efforts u fhe Hosf peace com
missioneFS WAS knonu"
RspidI, Essippiax Troops.
The BlosmfaEtsin correspondent og the
Daily Telegraph. 10 dispatch dated Sun
day. Gays
'Ail the troops are brgnE rapidly equip
ped with boots. esothiHg aud other Aec0n-
tsrmeHta
Lord Kitchener is making various ais.
eipssusry change
The weather remains fine"
DfmcuItiss In Way of Advance.
The Standard publishes long dis
patch from BioernfSnteia. dated Friday.
explaining the numerous difncultiss which
tend TO delay the advauce 10 Pretoria.
The correspondent aayx.
Enormous transport atriculfias are en-
HANGED by the rainy weather and b. the
necessity OF providing for the needs %
tes Amy for weeks psshsRs uapt1