The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-09
BREAK S UP.
BOer Army of 10000 Which
Captured WaterWorks
Divides and is Raiding in the
Free State.
REOCCUPYING TOWNS.
Preparing to Flank the British
Position.
British Spend a Day Shelling
Fourteen Streams.
REOCCUPYING TOWNS

Maseru, April 9.-The Beers who were
massed last week near Ladybrand to the
number of 10000 after seizing Thaba
NChu, and the Modder River water
works. broke up into strong divisions
and they are now raiding in the south
of the Free State, reoccupying the small
towns which were evacuated by the
British. The Beers policy seems to be
to make rapid movements, with little
transport, loOting English farmers and
storekeepers freely for provisions and
cutting the communicar tons of the Brit
ish forces.
Gen, Brabant's coIonia1s are now
mostly at Nepener. They are a splend-
Id force, capable of great striking pow
er and used to cross country riding and
are able to deal roughly with the Boer
commands now roaming about the
country
A squadron of Brabant's horse cap
tured 400 rifles near Wepener. His out
posts are reported to be in touch with
the Beers and a fight is regarded as i'm
minent.
Persistent reports are being circulated
that the Beers are preparing to flank
the British position at Wepener and
thus secure entrance into BaSutOland.
Sucn an attempt viii be resisted by the
HeVed has made quiet preparations
Meanwhile the approach of the armies
to BaSutOland produces much excite
ment among the natives necessitatiug
the utmost vigilance on the part of the
local officials.
Warrenton, April Yesterday even
ing the British sheI1ed Fourteen streams
which was occupied by q force of Beers
This morning the Beers placed in position
q big gun which they fired ineffectiveIy.
\ fusl1lade Of Mausers followed at inter
walls throughout the day.
The British dropped 1yddite and
Shrapnel shells into the BOer position.
finally silencing the enemy'S fire and
driving off the snfpers.
BOERS GO WHERE THEY PLEASE
London, April S--Tne amazing actiV-
ity of the Beers southeast and south
west OF BlOemfontein continues, the
Boer commands seemingly coming and
going throughout a wide region as they
please, but taking good care not to
throw themselves against strong bodies
of the British. The retirement of the
irish rifles from Rouxville to AIiwaI
leaves General Brabant without com
munIcatiOn with the other British fore
es He has 1000 or 5000 Colonials
holding a fine defensive country, but
he IS apparently invested SO far as Lon
{ don krows-
/ Telegraphic and railroad communica-
! ton with Bloemfontein are kept up as
/ usual, but nothing comes through for
public consumption. Lord Roberts last
] message was dated april D, ana the last
4 unofficial meSSagee bear date of April Z.
I The absence of news as usual disheart-
/ ems the people and produces an alto
( gether discOuraging effect The last
I unofficial message noting that the good
] spirits a t BIOemfontein are continuing,
/ tells Of the arrival of animals and two
/ fresh cavalry regiments. Lord Rob
erts has now 5000 mounted men alto
/ gether.
In the Orange Free State the situa-
4 tiOn is complex. with scanty material
for forming a correct estimate of the
situation and the afternoon neWspa-
pers cot being in the confidence of the
/ managers are criticising the conduct of
affairs as they see them Thus the St.
James Gazette reviewing the army sys-
tenn says:
"As a consequence of the foolish,
/ sporting boyish estimate of the work of the
| war, General Butler is anchored fndefin-
| itely as he must. wait for transports
until Lord Roberts is adequately sup
/ piled
ORDERED TO KIMBERLEY.
Cape Town. April 9.-Lieut- Gen. Sir
Henry Rundel, commander of the
/ Eighth division, has been ordered tC
/ Kim mberley on special duty.