The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-10

About to Happen or Has Already
MISUNDERSTANDING Evacuated.
London, March 7.-Mafeking is to be
relieved as o as the British force
already on the way from Kimberley
can raise the siege. This force is de.
scribed vaguely as "strong." The
Kimberley light horse is mentioned as
I component. In view of the fact
that the Kimberley light horse is I'm.
der the control Of the De Beers COM
eany, Lord Roberts visit to Kimberley
probably had to do with an arrange
ment with Cecil Rhodes to use this
company Of troops. Mr.. Rhodes and
Col. Kekewich have had differences of
policy, it appears, which did not end
with the relief Of Kimberley.
"What shall I do with him." Col.
Kekewich is said to have wired to
Lord Roberts, who half-humorously re-
Piled, according to a story circulated
1t the clubs, ''put him in chains"
Fresh intelligence as to what Lord
Roberts is doing has ceased again.
This silence is taken to mean that
something has happened or is about
to happen.
BOer raiders are uncOmmOnly active
n the northwestern section of Cape
Colony, where they are stirring up the
Dutch. Martial law has consequently
been declared. Mr.. Chamberlain's re-
auest for $500 additional Australian
bushmeneis understood to be explained
BY the fact that the war Office requires
this force for the pursuit of i%rreconcil-
lble Beers, who, according to the intel
hgence department., have been quietly
collecting great quantities of ammuni-
ton and stores in the mountain fast
Aesses Of the Zoutpansberg district in
the north of the Transvaal where they
IRE preparing to carry on q guerrilla
warfare.
Roberts Army in Good Position.
London, March IA dispatch to the
Standard from Osfontein, dated Sun
iay. March 4, v "Lord Roberts
army now occupies a most advanta-
reous position. The Sixth division.
under Gen. Kelly-Kenny, is posted on
q distance of five miles south Of Mod
HSI. 1uS SOVCAlA ASAOAS 0SA
Tucker. is in the center, Immediately
south Of the river, and Gen. Colyille,
with the Ninth division, is on the north
bank. The cavalry brigade, under Gen.
French, is posted on the left front and
the mounted infantry, under Col. Rid.
ley-Martin, on the right front.
ssThe country around consists of wide
grassy plains, broken only by ridges
K-l HSooln%n1 11or3ac h0hv NJ fhQ
enemy has taken up a position on one
pf the latter, a fat-topped. hill to the
north Of the river, five miles beyond
Cen. French, who. to-day, took out
horse artillery and shelled them. An:
other force, 1900 strong, holds an
Isolated group of kopjes south of the
Nodder and in front Of the British
mounted infantry. Their position Is
surrounded on all sides by level plains,
byer which the Beers must make their
way in order to reach the river. AS a
consequence their position appears pre-
earious in the extreme. The veldt IS
how in beautiful condition. Water is
plentiful, supplies being obtainable not
bnly from the river, but also from
numerous small springs. The health
and spirits of the troops are excellent.
The British cavalry and mounted IN
fantry have been accommodating the
hnemy's positions. There has been lit
tie fighting"
Kruger's Basis for Peace
tiOns.
Brussels, March z. - The Transvaal
agency here confirms the story that
President Kruger is ready to conclude
peace with Great Britain on the basis
Be the independence Of the two repuD-
Mes, and that otherwise the struggle
will continue to the bitter end. Inc
agency believes that the Afrikander
element in Cape Colony and NARA
will rebel rather than allow annexa-
ton.
Beers Strong Front. ~.
London, March IA dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph from Osfontein, dated
Sunday. says: 1.-THE Boer front covers
eighteen miles to the south Of Mod
der river"
Stormberg Evacuated.
Sterkstroom, March Z. Stormberg
was found evacuated when the BRUSH
entered Sunday night.
KING COTTON. !.
Prices i'm His Market Again Cause
Much Excitement.
New York. March, Z. There was
great excitement on the cotton ex-
change when the call opened, VIII
prices showing an advance Of IL to ~
points, with August contracts leadlng.
a panic in the ranks of the European
shorts was reported by private cables
in expectation Of an extraordinary al
vance Of 5-G4@7-64d, there. There was
a great struggle among shorts ana
speculative buyers here to get the 1T
40 cotton that was for sale around the