The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-27

%CA@OA @hooAA a.
persistent rumor that Mafeking has
been relieved. The war office, however.
declares that there is no confirmation
of the rumor and that no further news
on n subject is at hand.
1t seems certain that Mafeking's only
chances lie in relief by the columns
supposed to be advancing from the
south, or in the possibility that Colonel
Baden-Powell is still strong enough to
attempt a sortie. with a view of cap-
turing the Boer guns, at a time when
Commandant Snyman has withdrawn
his men TO oppose Colonel Plumer's
advance.
All the reports regarding the Brit
ish operations in the Free State con-
tinue satisfactory. 1t is reported from
Lourenzo Marques that Pretoria is
prepared to stand a seige of two years
and that the Boer women, frantic at
the reverses TO the Boer arms, are en-
treating to be allowed to shoot the
British officers imprisoned at Preto-
ria.
1t is announced from the Transvaal
capital that the Italian government
has declined to intervene.
london, March PA report from
Kroonstadt, Orange Free State via
Pretoria, that the Beers, under the
command of General Olivier had de-
feated the British troops under Gener-
al Gatacre in the vicinity of Bethuelie,
is not believed here. a dispatch to
The Daily News from S~pringfontein,
dated Tuesday, March 10th, says Gen.
eral Gatacre was '.all WELL" and adds
that he and General Brabant had not
lost a dozen men in a fortnight. The
last adviceS also placed General Cat
acre about thirty miles north of Bethu-
ellie, where the Boer representative says
the defeat was inflicted. This, COM
bined with the fact that no mention
of the affair was made by Lord Roberts
in his dispatch of March 21st confirms
the belief that the Kroonstadt advices
are erroneous.
ANXIETY AS TO MAFEKING.
The reports of skirmishing near Lo-
batsi while apparently not inficting
any serious loss on Colonel Plumer'S
columns, cause a anxiety in re-
gard to his ability to reach Mafeking.
Further news from that quarter is
~anXiously awaited, for in the six days
that have elapsed since the last mes
sageS were sent off a serious engage
ment may have occurred, though not
of Colonel Plumer's seeking. The Beers
seem determined not to give up their
prey at Mafeking without a fierce
struggle.
The Times in its second edition, pub
fishes a dispatch from LourenZo
Marques which quotes President Steyn
as saying, at Kroonstdat. that the
Beers could continue the struggle for
six months longer.
ACTIVITY ON THE NATAL FROM
TIER.
While the Beers and British in the
Orange Free State are taking advant
age of the period of inactivity to en-
joy a rest, those on the borders of Ma
tai are beginning to show activity. A
special dispatch from Durham says the
town of Pomeroy, thirty miles east of
LadySmith. has been burned by the
Beers. A detachment arriving at Pom
eroy as the Beers evacuated the place
shelled the burghers, but they sue
Ceeded in taking up a strong position
in the hills with a force estimated to
number 5000 men.
NO NEW PEACE OvERTURES.
1t has been learned that no new peace
oyertureS ave been made to Lord Sal
isbury nor are any expected at pres
ent by Great Britain. The Geographic
correspondence has been confined to the
treatment of prisoners. Lord Sails
bury. as already cabled, is holding the
presidents of the South African repub-
lies responsible for the welfare of Brit
ish prisoners. The question of safety
of johannesburg and the gold mines
has moi been raised.
The correspondence exchanged be-
tween Lord Salisbury and President
Kruger will shortly be given to parlia-
ment.
GENERAL METHUEN'S CONDUCT.
Replying in the house of commons to-
day to a series of questions on the sub
ject of General Lord Methuen and his
alleged disagreementS with the Off
GERS of his column which have caused
considerable scandal, the parliament
airy secretary for the war office, George
Wyndham, declared no charge had
been brought against General Methuen
by Colonel Cough or any other officer.
Colonel Cough, he added, had been
informed that an inquiry would be held
into his case. Colonel Cough is alleged
TO have been ordered home by General
command issued by the latter, and the
colonel demanded a trial by court mar
tial.
BUTCHERS SURRENDERING.
London. March 22.-Lord Roberts tel
egraphS from Bloemfontein under date
Of March 21st as follows:
so many burghers have expressed
a desire to surrender under the terms
of the last proclamation that l have
sent small columns in various direc-
tons to register their names and take
over their arms.
"A caviar brigade has gone to the
eastward to ~Thahanchu. and a detach.
ment from Springfontein has occupied
Smithfield. where some Transvaalers
and a wagon with arms and ammuni-
ton were captured. The Scots Guard.
are at Edenburg and ReddersburS
General Clements brigade is marching
hither by way of Philippolitis and Eau
renSmith."
Aliwalnorth. Cape Colony, March %
Commandment Olivier left SmithfielC
two hours before the British scout:
arrived. He only succeeded in Undue
ing about $50 men to accompany him
mostly insurgent c~olonistS. The Free
StaterS refused to go with him am
are returning to heir farms.
THE BOERS AGGRESSIVE.
Lobatsi, Friday, March 16.-Th
Beers under Commandant Snyman ar
n in force from Mafeking TO