Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-04-10
RA|D|AG IN The FREE STATE
STRONG DIVISIONS OF BOER SOL
Oilers ARE MAKING RAPID
MOVEMENTS,
And Are Cutting the British Lines of
COmmuntcatiOn-F Troops
mt Fourteen Streams Driven Away
by British She1ls-Activity of the
Beers to the Southeast and South
west of BIoemfontein Continues,
the Commanders Coming and Go
ing as They Please.

brand to the number of ten thousand,
after Selling Thaba N'Chu and the
Modder River waterworks, broke up
into strong divisions, and they are
now raiding in the south of the Free
State, re-occupying the small towns
which were evacuated by the British.
The Boer policy seems to be to make
movements, with little transport, loot
ing English farmers and cutting the
communications from the British
focces.
Gen. Brabant's colonials are now
mostly at Wepener. They are splen-
did force. capable of great striking
power and used to cross-country rid
ing and are able to deal roughly with
the Boer commanders now roaming
about the country. A squadron of
Brabant's horse captured 400 rifles
near Wepener His outposts are re-
ported to be in touch with the Beers
and fight is regarded as imminent.
Reports are being circulated that
the Beers are preparing to flank the
British position at Wepener and thus
to secure entrance into Basutoland.
Such an attempt will be resisted by the
Basutoland government, which, it is
believed, has made quiet preparations.
Meanwhile the approach of the armies
to Basutoland produces much excite
ment among the natives, necessitating
the utmost vigilance on the part of the
local officials.
WARRENTON, April Yesterday
evening the British shelled Fourteen
Streams, which was occupied by force
of Beers. This morning, the Beers
placed in position big gun, which
they fired ineffectively. A fusilade of
Mausers followed at intervals through
out the day.
The British dropped lyddite and
shrapnel into the Boer position, finally
silencing the enemys fire, and driving
off the snipers.
BLOBNfFONTEIN, April 1.-THE
Beers are reported in force to tie
south, threatening the railroad which,
however, is strongly protected. Brit
ish pickets at Springfield, eight miles
distant, were attacked by Beers adj
vancing from the water works.
The activity of the Beers Southeast
and southwest of Bloemfontein con-
tinues, the Boer commands seemingly
coming and going through wide re-
gion as they please, but taking good
care not to throw themselves against
strong bodies of the British. The re-
tirement of the Irish Rifles from
Rockville to Aliwal leaves Gen. Bra
INIT
other British forces. He has 1000 or
5000 colonials holding a fine defensive
country. but he is apparently invest
ed. so far as London knows. Tele-
graphic and railroad communication
with Bloemfontein are kept up as US
ual, but nothing comes through for
public consumption. Lord Roberts's
last message was dated April 9Th, and
the last unofficial message bore the
date of April 18th. The absence of
news. as usual, disheartens the peo-
ple and produces an altogether dis
couraging effect. The last unofficial
message notes that good spirits at
Bloemfontein are continuing and tells
of the arrival of animals and two fresh
cavalry regiments. Lord Roberts has
now $4,000 mounted men altogether.
In the Orange Free State the situa-
ton is complex, with scanty material
for forming a correct estimate of the
situation, and the afternoon newspap-
ers, not being in the confidence of the
managers, are criticising the conduct
of affairs as they see them. Thus, the
st. James Gazette, reviewing the army
situation, says: 'As consequence of
the foolish, sporting, boyish estimate
of the work of the war, Gen. Butler
is anchored indefinitely as he must
wait for transports until Lord Roberts
is adequately supplied"
A Winter Campaign.
LONDON, April 10, a. m.-Britons
are beginning to reluctantly realize
that Lord Roberts is in for winter
campaign, lasting several months.
This is the end, in few words, of the
high hopes based upon Lord Roberts
brilliant dash to Kimberley and Bloem-
sontein.
Lord Kitchener has been given the
protection of the railway, while Lord
Roberts is waiting for re-mounts and
winter clothing for the troops, whose
thin cotton khaki uniforms and boots
are worn out.
Gen. Brabrant and Gen. Gatacre are
both at standstill.
The chances for an advance to Pre-
toria may be judged from the fact that
only ten thousand horses are on their
way to the Cape and the military tail