The Forrest City times., 1900-05-04
IS DIFFICULT ID UNRAVl.
The War Situation in South Africa Keeps the Correspondents
 and Experts Guessing.
THE BRITISH FORCES ARE ON THE MOVE.
Every Prospect Of sharp Fighting in the Vicinity of Thnbn N'Chu. Gen. Botha Having Been Rcinforccd- Opinion Prevails at Biocmfontcin That War VIII soon End.


 London, May 3.-lt is difficult 10 un- ravel the tangled stories coming from the neighborhood of Thaba N'Chu. but apparently the British forces are en- gagged in a mQyemeht having for it's object the hemming in of the Boers still in that district. While Generals French and Rundle are holding the Boers at Thaba N'Chu, Gen. Broad- woods cavalry has been pushed on Hout nek. in the hope of intercepting the federal conveys between Lady brand and Winburg. As Gen. Botha has been reinforced, there is every prospect of sharp fighting.
 New Scene of Operations.
 The new scene of operations and the general movements of the various col. umns are taken to indicate that Lord Roberts is deploring his army prepa- ratory to beginning his northern march. It now seems likely that it is the ommander-in-chief's intention to advance simultaneously from Kimber- ley, Bloemfontein and Ladysmith, with the view of preventing the Boers from concentrating their forces at any giv- en point.
 A Prevailing Opinion.
 A dispatch from Bloemfontein, dat ed Tuesday, chronicles the prevailing opinion among the townspeople there that the war is not likely to last more than six weeks. once the British ad- vance begins, but adds that the cor respondent has been unable to dis cover any ground for this opinion, be- yond the fact that Gen. Darlington has arrived at the Marandellas base, whence flying column will be dis patched in direction not made pub lie
 Kruger'r nnntion.
 A dispatch from Pretoria gives the text of President Kruger's proclama- ton expelling British subjects from the Iransvaal. 1t says:
 ''As numerous burghers insist on the removal of the British, and as the government is desirous of complying with the wishes of the burghers and others favorable to the republic, ali Britishers residing in the district and town of Pretoria. and the Witwaters Rand gold fields must leave the state within 36 hours from noon, April 90. Exception will be made in the case of those obtaining special permits"
 Gen. Hnmtlton's Casualties.
 Lord Roberts forwards a list of the casualties of Gen. Ian Hamilton's s force, April 30, as follows:
 Killed-Maj. Showers, Lieut.. Parker and one private.
 Wounded-Four officers and five men.
 Missing officers and ten men. dispatch from Mafeking describ- ing the Roer attack of April II, says:
 Hottest of the Siege.
 "rhe bombardment of the Creusots was the hottest of the siege. Many shells entered the hospital and wom- ans laagcr. Under cover of the artil- lery 8 large force commanded by Cronje (the yonnger), including the German corps, advanced close tn Fort Abrams. The garrison laid low until the Boer force was at close range, when they fired volley, killed nve, wounded many and the attack was repulsed. The bonn bardmeut then ceased. The Boers, under a Red Cross flag. later, were permitted to recover their dead"
 The PowerfuTs Naval Brigade. Windsor is in holiday attire, and decorated from end to end in honor
  of the naval brigade of the British cruiser Powerful, which assisted in inc defense of Ladysmith. The naval men were summoned to the castle to be in. epected by the queen. The band ol the Grenadier guards met the naval brigade at the railroad station and played them to the castle through cheering throngs of people.
 Inspected By the Queen.
 The inspection occurred in the quad Iangle and was witnessed by the duke of York, and ether members of the royal family, and a number of high naval and military officers. Her maj esty drove down the line of the blue packets, who then advanced and gave three cheers for the queen. Capt Lambton of the Powerful. and the otfi oers of that vessel were afterward: presented to her maiesty, whc thanked Capt. Lambton and the bri gade for their noble services to tn, empire.
 Ready to Do More.
 The captain replied that what the, had done was nothing to what in, navy was prepared to do for hel majesty.
 saw the blue jackets entertained a dinner.
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 Took Admiral Dewey In.