Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1900-04-04
BRITISH GOT INTO A TRAP
CONVOY AND SIX GUNS GONE
British Are Aggressive-HadO One Sc.
we're Fight-Larwe Number of Brit.
ish FelI-Gsnsral News of south
Africa.

heoi "ppiVoSh vi q ioibe ioiNS Va Doeio W
leave.
Colonel Broadwood marched to the
Bloemfontein waterworks, south of the
Modder, where he encamped. At early
dawn the camp was shelled by the enemy
from a near point Colonel Brosdwood
the rest of the force remained to act as a
rear guard. The convoy arrived at a deep
spruit, where the Beers were concealed and
the entire body walked into ambush and
was captured, together with six guns. The
loss of life was not great, since most of the
a shot was fired.
General Colville's division which left
Bloemfontein early Saturday arrived here
at noon and shelled the Beers.
A Surprise for England.
London, April 2.-General Buffers anx-
ious inquiry whether British officers will
ever learn the value of scouting comes
back with enforced emphasis to the Brit
ish public on receipt of tidings that a
convoy with guns has walked deliberately
into Boer ambush within about 20 mics
of Bloemfontein.
Evidently Colonel Broadwood thought
il necessary to retreat in haste from Thar
banchu, as he marched all through Friday
night, apparently followed by a consider
able force of the army. The convoy and
guns had to pass through deep spruit
which the Beers had occupied.
Six of the IL guns, comprising two bat
teries, with the wagons, and it is feared,
many men, fell into the hands of the
Beers, whose daring, displayed so near
Bloemfontein, shows that they are rapidly
recovering heart after their recent re-
verses.
The hope is expressed here that General
Colville will recover the convoy and guns,
but this is hardly likely in such difficult
country, and it is probable the next move
will be that after stiff fight General
Colville has extricated Colonel Broadwood
from his difficult position, but failed to
relieve the disaster.
several criticisms are heard regarding
the renewal of the old mistake OF under
tht tut hD7tutt VI
er precaution. No doubt the affair will
revive the Boer hopes and inspire conf
dence among the enemy at a critical m)-
ment.
Great things are expected by the Beers
of the new ommanderin-chief, General
Botha, who has made his reputation
wholly during the present campaign. For.
eign officers serving with the Beers have
expressed sympathy with his clever tac
ties.
Detailed accounts Of the fight at Karee
Siding estimated the Boer forces vari.
ously from 5000 to 5000.
Brabant's horse occupied Wepener last
Thursday unopposed.
Lord Methuen has issued the following
notification at Kimberley: 81 have re-
ceived instructions that If any disturb
ance occurs west Of the Vaal river my
force is to return and punish the rebels
Immediately"
Lord Roberts Advances.
London, April 2.--According to a spec.
ial dispatch from Pretoria, Lord Roberts
has commenced his advance northward.
The dispatch says there are daily skir-
mishes, and that a big battle is imminent.
This may, however, refer to the operations
preceding the engagement at Karoo Sid
ing, which apparently cleared the way as
well as secured an advantageous position
whence the next operation may be con
Quoted.
fuckers division is now strongly occu-
pying the Boer camp at Karoo Siding,
with the way cleared at Brandfort, which
is reported already evacuated.
Orders have been received at Cape Town
for the Eighth division to be disembarked
and sent north Immediately on its arrival
there.
The Beers in the neighborhood Of Paar-
deberg are reported to be actively en-
gagged in marauding and in attempting to
capture British horses left on the veldt
owing to their weak condition. Six hun
dred Barkley refugees sent back from Cape
Town are stranded, the Kimberley mill
tary authorities refusing assistance to all
Of them to proceed.
Much Kaffir looting is reported at Kip
dam.
An active campaign is in progress on the
present loyalists Of Cape Colony for an
nexation Of the republics and punishment
of the eolonials who served in the Boer
army. Meetings in support Of this policy
have been held in many important centers
under the auspices of the South African
league.
The transportation OF the prisoners to
st. Helena is arousing the anger OF the
Beers, who threaten to retaliate by send
ing British prisoners TO Koomatipoort, re-
puted the worst fever den in South Africa.
The transport Norfolk has recently
sailed from Southampton for Cape Town,
and had an enthusiastic sendof.
Speaking at Trowbridge recently. RI.
Hon. Walter Hume Long, II. p. for West
Darby, Liverpool, said when the war was
over Great Britain should have to see that
the people of South Africa, no matter
what their color, religion or politics, have
equal liberty. He could not say when the
general election would take spiace, but
Il would not be until after the government
had completed their task.
Nearly Two Hundred Fell.
London, April 2.-The war office has
posted the following dispatch from Lord
Roberta. dated st Bloemfoutein: