Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-05-24
WILL FIGHT 1T OUT.
TRANSvAAL GOVERNMENT so NOTI-
FIES FOREIGN CONSULS.


FIES FOREIGN CONSULS.
Part of Buffers Force Under Colonel
Bethune Trapped by Boers-Their Cas-
ualties Number 66-Roberts Again
Moving-To Cross the vaal Soon.
LONDON, May 23.-The Transvaal gov
esnment has informed the governments
represented at Pretoria that it has not
considered and does not intend to con-
slider unconditional surrender, but will
fight to finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that Johannesburg
will be defended and the government
announces that it will not hold itself
responsible to person or property result
ing from defense measures.
Pretoria dispatches reaffirm that Presi-
dent Kruger, President Steyn and the
prominent leaders of both governments,
after brief interchange of views re-
solved to continue the fight, but small
minority advocated surrender without
terms. Johannesburg and Pretoria are
being cleared of noncombatants. The
Boer chiefs who now recognize the pos
sibility that they will have to defend
these cities are preparing with the ut
most haste. The Boer spirit has been
rising from a low ebb, and is now ready
for a steadfast resistance.
Nevertheless, according to the Daily
Chronicle, long messages in Dutch
have been received by the British gov
ernment, by way of Amsterdam, in
which President Kruger seeks peace.
According to one account President
Kruger surrenders unconditionally; &C.
cording to another he asks for terms.
There seems to be good reason for be-
leving that he is earnestly endeavor.
ing to secure terms, but cable inquiries
fail to confirm the statement that re-
cent correspondence passed between
Great Britain and the Transvaal re-
specting terms.
Lord Roberts is again moving. The
British infantry left Kroonstadt Mon
day and headquarters was expected to
leave yesterday The railway has been
restored and the first train is due to ar
rive today. The Beers are blasting for
military emplacements along the
Rhoonister river. General Dewet COM
mands, as General Botha is ill. The
advance Of Lord Roberts probably will
be swift.
1t is the expectation of we'll informed
observers here that the Vaal river, IS
miles below Kroonstadt, will be crossed
by the end of the week.
Sir Redvers Butler, in general order
to his troops congratulating them ON
the result Of their ten days operations,
says they were only checked at Laing's
mex by fresh commando sent from the
Transvaal. General Clery, with cav
airy brigade. engaged the rear guard of
the Beers at LaiDg's nek Sunday, cap
tured number Of wagons and took
some prisoners. His artillery shelled
the nek. The Beers in tLeir retreat
laid waste tho territory, blew up the
bridges and burned several houses, as
many as six in Newcastle.
General Butler, replying to residents
OF Newcastle, who presented to him a
trophy, said he expected to return fror.
Pretoria soon. Nothing new concern
ing the reliet of Mafeking has come
through. All the accounts of the en-.
gagement Oh May 16 extol the bravery
of the Canadians. Colonel Mahon's
column arrived at the rendezvous one
hour after Colonel Plumer, showing
with what accuracy the movements
were timed.
Disaster to Bethune's Troops.
The war office has received the fol.
lowing dispatch from General Butler:
NEWCASTLE, May 23.-I have re.
ceived the following from Bethune:
May 21. while marching in the direc-
ton Of Newcastle, Natal, yesterday one
squadron of Bethune's mounted infan.
try was ambushed by Beers six miles
west OF Vryheid and very few escaped.
Lleutenants Lausum and Captain Ca
pell are among the missing. Captain
the Earl de la War; is slightly wounded
in the leg. The total casualties are
about 66. l have retl ned to N'Qutu
for supplies. Will march tomorrow for
Newcastle via Dundee
DECl INES TO FAVOR RNEPc