The Negro world., 1900-03-24
PROBABLY NOT TRUE.
Little credence Given to Report of
Gataere's Defeat.
Rumors of the Relief of xafeklnx
Are AGain Prevalent, Hut Moth
ing ConnrmatoFy of the Re
port Il Received.

London, March 23.-No attention is
paid In any quarter to the wild Boer
rumors of Commandant OIivier's vic
tory over Gen. Gatacre, which are only
designed to revive the dropping spirits
of the burghers.
4 dispatch TO the Daily News from
Springfontein, dated Wednesday
morning, March 81. says: Gen. Cat
acre and his staff are still here. He is
most strict regarding the private prop
erty of the Beers. Some KafIirs, who
had looted Boer farms, have been tried
and severely punished. to the great as
tonishment and qualification of the
Boer residents.
Mafeking's Relief Again Reported.
Again there is "A persistent rumor
that Mafeking has been relieved. II is
even asserted that the war Office has
received dispatch positively announc-
ing the relief, but that publication of
IL IL withheld because the form of the
message admits the possibility of mis-.
take. The war Office. however, de-
clares there is no confirmation of the
rumor, and that no further news on
the subject is at hand.
10 seems certain that Mafeking's
only chances lie In relief by the coll
umn supposed to be advancing from
the south or in the possibility that
Col. Baden-Powell is still strong
enough to attempt a sortie with a
view OF capturing the Boer guns. at
time when Commandant Snyman has
Withdrawn his men to oppose Col.
Plumer's advance.
1t Is reported from Lourenzo Mar
ques that Pretoria is prepared to
stand siege Of two years, and that
the Boer women, frantic at the re-
verses to the Boer arms. are entreat-
ing TO be allowed to shoot the British
officers imprisoned at Pretoria.
1t is also announced from the Trans
vaal capital that the Italian gov
ernment has declined to intervene.
Vacated by Beers.
Warrenton, March 23.-The Beers
have vacated Klipdam and Windsor
ton, which are almost deserted. Their
wives and families have fed with
them They sank the points. or ferry
boats, at Riverton and Windsorton.
The Vaal river can only be crossed
by swimming. The country this side
of the river is well patrolled by the
British.
FIockinE 20 Roberts standard.
London, March 23.-Lord Roberts
telegraphs from Bloemfontein, under
date of March 81, as follows:
80 many burEhers have expressed de-
sire 20 surrender under the terms OF the
last proclama ton that I have sent small
columns In various directions to register
their names and take over their arms
"A cavalry brigade has gone to the east
ward to Thahanehu, and a detachment
from Springfontein has occupied Smith
field. where some Transvaalers and
wagon with arms and ammunition were
captured. The Scots guards are at Eden
burg and Reddersburg. Gen. Clements bri-
gade IL marching hither by way OF Philip
popolls and Faureamith."
EaGagemeRseNear WarrentOn.
Kimberley, March 23.-There was
smart artillery duel neas Warrenton
Wednesday morning. A battery under
Maj. Blewitt, supported by the Kimber-
ley light horse, located the Beers, who
tAupioycu louT guns TWO OF winch uSeu
cordite, but ineffectively. The Brit
ish battery replied with effect and ST.
lenced the Boer fire. The Beers sent
two shells near the railway station.
which was not damaged. A scouting
party got too close 10 the bank of the
river and encountered hot fire The
men were unable to get away and IL
was impossible to relieve them without
loss, the party being obliged to wait for
darkness in order 10 escape. The recon
noissanee succeeded, and Maj. Blewitt
retired with only one wounded. Thurs.
day morning brisk firing was resumed
at Warrenton about half-past six, but II
has now Stacked up. A detachment OF
fusileers has arrived. Two Vryburg
inhabitants, who had been imprisoned
by the Beers, were sent into Warren
ton under white flag, after being
taken from laager to laager around the
district. They say that the big gun
from Kimberley has been taken through
Christiana to Pretoria. There are wom-
en- and children in nearly every laager