Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-18

activity have seriously disturbed public
equanimity, He is stu 500 IN mics eItim matt.
British army that brushes the Boer az
mics. an army of occupation Will nave 70
be installed. From various sources coine
hints that more men than are alreduS
provided for will rave to be sent out
Lord Roberts indicates that at least
10000 men are advancing to cut Oh ne
Beers who are investing Wepener. As
there are reports from the BaSuto border
that firing has been heard in the direction
of the hills towards De Vets Dorp, II Is
troops are already in contact win tne
Beers. Lord Roberts wires that he eA-
pected to clear the southeastern section
of the Free State. east of the railway;
and then swing around to the north ana
to turn, one after another, the positions
held by the Beers north of Bloemionteln.
Gen Buffers prohibition of all press tel
egrams in Natal until further notice Is
taken to indicate that a movement Is
about to begin there.
London. April 1S.-The publication Of
Lord Roberts dispatches describing the
Spion l\Op ana other operations from
Jan. l to Jan. a, is severely criticized Dy
today. He characterizes IL as iii ad-
vised;'' The effect of it on the army IN
Natal he says, must be positively dc,
moraliZing. unless great changes are
made IL the commands, changes when,
if necessary, should have been made
without any preliminary public ventila-
ton of mistakes ana cross censures.
"By the publication OF Lord Roberts
dispatch the position Of Sir RedVers But
Ter is rendered untendbie, ana ms feslS-
nation or recall is a matter OF course.
But the government cannot pc credited
with arranging the matter with consid-
Grafton or generosity. There was no
need to trumpet these things to the
world The dispatches might have slept
in the arc hives for the use of future his
torians and Gen. Buffers recall might
I l., IL .. Il
have been arranged with diplomatic dell
CaCy.
Gen. Butler was appointed by the gov
eminent ana by the government he
should have been I ,hat a. without cX
shrinks from taking the responsibility
ana seeks To shelter itself behind Lord
Roberts ana behind The expression q
sure to occasion? If that he the case, the
government is certainly not setting an
example to its generals in the field. The
government is III supreme command and
ought to assert its authority without
first appealing indirectly to the man i'll
the street.
London, April 1S.-A dispatch to the
Times from jammersherg; dated Monday,
April {, saHs; "i ION Friday The F }sr
but retired after lighting an hour. Their
attack is apparent. weakening.
cape Town. Tu,-day. April 1.-THE
Boer govcrnm, hts are circulating the fol
lowing manifesto to the Afrikandcrs
throughout cape Colony: We feel that
Afrkaudcrdum is ut stake, ana We appeal
to you to stand and fight shoulder to
shoulder with Us in the hour of our SUI
IRENE struggle. With YOU on our side
the issue cannot be doubtful"
London, April Lilo P. M.-The
war office has received the following
dispatch from Lord Roberts, dated
Blocmfontrin, Tuesday. April II: "Our
force at Wepcncr is still surrounded
but it is reported that the enemy are
attacking in 4 very half-hearted man
ncr and are anxious about their com
muncations. hearing that forces are
approaching Wcpener from two direc-
tions-Cnc under Gen. Rumble, via
Reddcrsburg, and another under Gen.
Brabant, with Gen. Harris brigade in
support via RouXville
ION the re-occupation Of RouXvillc.
April -. the few Beers there retired
and Gen. Brabant made some import
ant arrests.
''Violent storms Of rain have some
what interfered with the march OF
these columns but it is hoped they will
soon be able to make their presence
more decidedly felt.
Gen. Settle reports from Kcnhardt.
April II. that 300 Transvaalers made 4
determined attack. the previous day.
On Dopaspoort. held by 4 party Of
"OPENS Horse. our losses were two
killed ana one wounded. Tn cnemy's
losses must have been heavy as they
applied to us for doctors ana an am
bulance.'