Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-05-24

London, May 22.-British horsemen,
according to a dispatch from Lou
reno Marques, are now close to the
Vaal river, within 40 miles of Jo-
hannesburg. The migration from
Pretoria has begun. Women and
children are being sent in trains to
Machadadorp, on the way to Lyden-
burg Trains are arriving at Louren-
20 Marques filed with passengers,
among whom are many Germans who
are bound for Europe.
A correspondent with Gen. Hunter
telegraphs as follows from Fourteen
Streams: "Col. Mahon's relieving
column left Barkly West under secret
orders May 4, and reached Vryburg
May II. The Beers marched on the
right flank of the British and a
strange race followed, Mahon press
ing toward Mafeking with the utmost
speed consistent with keeping the
force in condition and the Beers hur-
rying parallel in an effort to pass him
and to throw themselves across his
path. The Beers succeeded. Mahon
then turned west during the night
The Beers followed, overlook and at
tackled him in the bush but were
beaten Off" Then as Lord Roberts
wired, Col. Mahon and Col. Plumer
united forces at Jamasibi, May Is,
and Mafeking was relieved three days
later under conditions not yet known
here.
Baden-powel's hardest blow to the
besiegers was the capture of Com
mandant Sarel Eloff, President Kru-
gers grandson, and his men.
Lady Sarah Wilson, in a dispatch
from Mafeliing, dated May II, gives
the following description of the final
days of the SIEGE "As we near the
end of the siege, conditions in this lit
tie town are perhaps becoming more
cheerful. The rainy season is appar-
emily over. The weather is splendid
and consequently the fever epidemic
is diminishing. Rations are still
small, but it is wonderful how little
one needs for existence and the new
food, Drawn, from horse and OK hides,
is great success. This food and por-
ridge, the inventor of which has re-
ceived five-pound bonus from the
government, is the equivalent of six
weeks additional provisions. The ma
tives prefer it to any other. So that
the siege has taught them a new
food"
Lord Roberts is advised that little
resistance need be expected south of
Kip Riversburg, near johannesburg,
where the natives are digging
trenches, but the position, according
to correspondent, can be turned.
The same authority thinks it i'm
probable that there will be any des-
perate defense south of Pretoria and
that even the capital of the Transvaal
is likely to be evacuated. The orders
from the war office directing six more
siege trains to go out, however, indi-
cate preparations N expectancy of
siege.
Twenty-one war correspondents
have been killed or have died of dis
ease during the war. In this respect
the Daily Mail has been particularly
unfortunate, ten of its representa-
tives have been put out of service by
death or illness.
The war office announced this
morning that II vessels will leave
home ports during the next 80 days
with $500 officers and men and 1885
horses.
The promotion of Col. Baden-Powell
is generally expected to be followed
by further honors, probably an i'm
portant command with temporary
rank of lieutenant general. He only
got his colonelcy in 1897, and he now
goes ahead of long list of seniors.
There is no truth in the report that
President Kruger has sued for peace
and no communication from him on
the subject is expected in the imme-