The sun., 1900-04-16
GEN. ROBERTS KEEPS SILENT
Some Army Experts Think That
He Has Already InaugG-
rated His Advance.
LATE REPORTS FROM FRONT
British Commander Protests Against
Boer's Treatment of Prisoners. D
The Burghers ere Preparing
to Make a Last Stand
i'm Swaziland.
-
LATE REPORTS FROM FRONT

London, April 15.-AIeasured by Lord
Roberts conduct Of affairs in the past,
the almost absolute silence as to Free
State operations means apparently that
the combinations for the advance are be-
ing rapidly perfected. In fact, some ex-
perts regard it as most probable that
the movement is on and that the public
will know nothing of the commander in
chiefs doings until something tangible
has been accomplished.
Natives report ut Kimberley that Colo
mel Douglas engaged the Beers neal
Iwarts kop on Wednesday and succeed
cd i'll driving them back. The British
casualties were slight.
Elandslaagtc reported that there had
been 10 traces of the Beers in that neigh
b0rh0od for the past two days. Their
progress southward has been effectively
barred hy the British occupation of
Jononoskop on the left and Slnbulwan
on the right.
The belief that the Bocrs' action on
Tuesday was due to restleSsnGss ANA dis.
satisfaction in the ranks is confirmed by
natives, who sny that the Beers have
been ready for some time and wanted
the British to attack them. Iii order to
force this the Boers commenced Shelling
at the same time sending Il force to make
a flanking movement on the left. The
natives also confirm the statement that
one Of the Beers heavy guns was put
out Of action and the gunncls driven off
The scouts ON Saturday located the
BocrS i'll a strong position II miles north.
east of the British advanced position at
Blocmfontein.
Roberts Again Protests.
Lord Roberts has strongly protested to
President Kruger against the treatment
of prisoners, sick and wounded. In the
hands Of the Beers and has formally dc.
manded the observance Of the Geneva
convention.
1t appears from every Indication that
the Beers are preparing in the event of
Pretoria heing captured 10 make Il last
stand along line reaching from I.eyden-
burg along the mountains into Swaziland
A traveller recently arrived at Bloemfon-
ten says that the Beers are encrgetically
working to persuade the Swazis that the
British cause is lost and are seeking To
ingratiate themselves. hoping to secure a
footing in Swaziland peacefully or to
seize hold of the country if necessary
special from Pretoria, dated April
13. says.
Mrs. Kruger on being interviewed said
that she trlsted God would soon stop tho
merciless blnoasled. hut that the republic
would he vigorously defended. even if
Pretoria Were finally taken. She added
that She had had in the field -, grand
sons. two of whom We're killed, four sons.
six sons-in-law and numerous other rcl;i-
tives."
The doings, movements and sayings Of
the Hoer delegates are being chronicled
in much detail.~ Evidently they have al
ready begun to work 10 convince Europe
that the intention Of the Beers is to give
up only when dead in tho last ditch. The
latest story put III circulation by one at
tached 10 the delegation is ancnt the fer
vor Of the women. most of whom. from
1S to 40 years of age. the story says. are
armed and are practicing shouting daily.
Five hundred of them. it adds. are al
ready serving ia the artillery in the forts
at Pretoria.
The reported meeting between DIR.
Leyds and Count von Bulow is denied.