The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-13
British War Office Is Without
Information
Regarding Progress Of Events
in South Africa.
CAPE TOWN THE SAME.
Much Interest Felt in Garrison
at Wepener.
Beers Fight During the Day
and Go Home at Night.

London, April 1890 P. M.-Judging
from the lack of news from the front,
Good Friday is being kept in South Al
rica as religiously as it is in London
Presumably. the situation remains un-
changed, though word from Wepener IS
awaited with interest and probably be-
fore the day is over a dispatch Will be
received from Lord Roberts.
A dispatch received here from Cape
Town says that Lady Roberts will pro-
ceed to Bloemfontein in a few days and
that the Duke of Westminster has al
ready departed for the Free State capi-
tai. Early this morning Cape Town was
as much in the dark regarding the pro-
press Of the campaign as London IS at
the present hour.
FIGHTERS SLEEP AT HOME.
Aliwal North, April PA detachment
of 200 of the Rockville commando is pa
trolling in this direction. Many of the
men go to their farms at night and re-
Join the detachment in the morning.
The Rouxville commando numbers TOO
A large body of BasutOs is closely
watching events from the border. The
weather is too cloudy to permit hello
graphing.
1t is reported that the Beers lost
heavily in the recent fighting at Wepe-
uef. IneFe IS Inucn weeping among the
women and an urgent message for as
sistance has been sent to the Rockville
commando. There was fighting at Dew
etsdorp today
LOSSES DOUBLED UP.
New York. April ia Herald dis
patch from Pretoria, Wednesday via
Lourenzo Marques, says:
The report to the effect that the total
British prisoners taken in the opera
tions southeast of Bloemfontein was l.,
800, was an error owing to two Boer
generals reporting the same engage
ment under different names The cor
rect total of prisoners is under 600
Sharp but indecisive fighting contin-
nes near Dewetsdorp.
CENSORSHIP IS STRICT.
-Raddersburg. April 13-The Third di.
vision commanded by Major General
Chermside, has arrived here from
Bethany without any incident worth re-
cording- The Beers have been located
south Of the Wepener ana Smithfeld
districts. Col. Delgety. who is in COM
mand of the Colonial force surrounded
at Wepener, is holding out gamely. Fx-
citing developments are probable in the
near futures. The censorship is very
strict.
A SPASM OF ACTIVITY.
New York, April ia dispatch to the
tribune from London says:
The motive for the Boer reconnaissance
IN force on Sunday river on two success
slVe days is not clear. One dispatch
states that raiding parties are advancing
toward Weneen through HelDmal<aar tS
the south and toward Dewdorp to the
west OF Ladysmith. If these raids had
been planned, the attack upon Clery's 3
camp was an effective method of divert
ing attention from them. Probably the
Boers nave become restless during the
nNe weeks of inaction and it was neces-
sary for their new commander to find ern-
PIoyment Tor them and also inspirit the
Dui EherS az Pretoria by sending bulletins
of victory like those which are teIegranb
ed from Lorenzo Marquee
NO qelnite results have been accom-
R45lsneu py this spasm of Boer activity.
Inere was continuous rifle fire follow
ed BY artillery practice. for several hours
on W ednesday. but the BOer attack was
neither vigorous nor persistent. There
was a change Of tactics since the, BOer
positions We're disclosed whereas thew
have usuallv conoeaied -, - @ 80 ~ Itlty
was not important. since the Beers occI-
pled a temporary line of defense. with a
greater strength.
The Boer, operations in the southeastern
corner OF the Free State are equally indie
cts.fte. me commando on the north bank
OF the orange river is content with block
Itis lhe passage of relief column to
" opener and Is not attacking AlfwaI
North. Wepener still holds out against
am Investment by superior force Cen
etl kitchener was evidently satisfied
before leaving Aliwal North that the Sit
uatlon was not serious and that General
braDant was equal to the emergency. The
cannOnading was heavy at Wepener ON
Wednesday but the Beers did not gain
From Rhodesia there is no confirmation
OF the Boer rumOr of the death of Baden
Powell, but there is heavy list of casual
ties from Colonel Plumer's unsuccessful
tight six miles north of Mafeking on the
last day of March. The situation of the
garrison OF Mafeking is causing much un-
easiuess among London friends of the in.
nuentlal group Of officers who are witt
taden-FoweH They can not be convinced
1lla5 the garrison IN its present enfeebled
CONDITION, tan hold out until Lord Roberts
Is prepared to invade the Transvaal anf
they are hoping that the strong force de-
tached from Buffers command is destined
Tor Beiri1 and Rhodesia. General Hunter
commands this force. but his destina flor
from Durban is moi annnmnoaa aaanit..I..