The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-17

nearly healed. He accompanied the bril-
gade to BIoemfontein.
Lord Roberts comments upon the ear
iier operations of tho war In the London
Gazette and his absolute silence respect
ing Lord Methuen's dispatch are regard
ed as very significant. The Times OBJ
serves that this silence is perhaps more
significant than words. especially when
connected with the fact that Lord Me-
thuen no longer takes any prominent part
In the campaign.
Lord Roberts Report.
LONDON, March 1g-Lord Roberts has
sent the following dispatch TO the war
Office:
"Bloemfonteln, March lf.
Gen Clements crossed the Orange
river yesterday. Repairs 70 the railway
brings az Norvalspont have commenced,
and It will shortly be ready for trafhc:
Gen. Pole-Carew telegraphs his ARIA
at SprinRfoutein. 50 that Bloemtontein
now is practically IN rail communication
with Cape Town. My proclamation Is all
ready having an excellent effect SeTera
hundred burghers have expressed their
intention 20 surrender their arms and re-
turn 10 their occupations.
THE resident commissioner OF Basuto-
land reports that $50 Beers lately arrived
from Bloemfontein and that further
contingent from Aliwal North WAS only
waiting 10 know the terms Of my procla-
nation 10 surrender. They had refused
TO attend council at Kroonstad, to
which President Steyn had summoned
them"
Beers ADMIT the Game Is Up.
The Daily Mail has the following dis
patch from Lourenzo Marques dated
March 10.
"Intrenching Is proceeding on the yaai
river al Nereing.
Late arrivals from Pretoria say that
the Beers themselves now admit that
their cause Is hopeless. Gen. Lucas Mey-
er refuses to fight again and has return
ed to his farm. Gen. schalk Berger has
also returned, and the burgners are go
ing home by the hundreds"
News From Mafeking.
a private telegram received at Liver
pool reads ms follows:
by dispatch rider to Kimberley.
Mafeking. March 10. Going strong"
Boer wounded VIII he Released.
Roberts reports that he found seven
British officers and forty-three wounded
they had been well cared for. II re-
Joieed wounded Beers by telling them
they will be allowed 10 proceed to their
homes instead OF being made prisoners as
British Casualty List.
II was officially announced today that
British casualties nj Dreifontein March
10 were sixty-two men killed and S2l
wounded, including one Canadian wound
ed.
Roberts Criticlscs Gatncre.
Lord Roberts. IN transmitting Gen.
Gatacre's report of the Stormburg defeat
some weeks since gives his opinion thus:
THE failure was due mainly to reliance
on Inaccurate Information regarding the
ground 10 be traverscd to the position
too small a force and 10 the men being
tired out by long night march before
they came In contact with the enemy.
When IL became evident. shortly after
midnight that the guides were leading
the column In the wrong direction. l con-
slider Gatacre should have halted and en-
deavored TO find proper road or should
have fallen back on Molteno, rather than
have risked the safety of the entire force
by following a route which brought tho
troops into difficult ground commanded
on both sides by Beers"
Roberts Quaint speech.
Lord Roberts success In handling civil
problems at Bloemfoutein and the mani
fest equanimity with which the residents
OF the capital OF the orange Free State
accent British occupation, momentarily
replaces interest In the military situation.
1t In believed here that Roberts will soon
push on TO Pretoria but Great Britain Is
quite content 10 listen for n few days to
the acciamations OF the people OF Bloem-
rontein and permit the troops 20 enjoy "a
few days rest before expecting further
success. Roberts made q quaint speech
90 the Guards nj Bloemtontein today,
when in his first congratulatory words he
Expressed pride In their splendid march
OF thlrty-eight miles IN twen,y-elght
hours, and gave ample assurance OF his
ultimate design.
Through a small mistake" said Rob-
- ha y t.aap IN int
Bloemfontriu at tho head OF your brigade.
as ! intended / promise you. however,
that | will lead you into Pretoria"
Railroad Line New Held.
Gen. Gatanrc Ia holding Bethulie. and the
whole iine ~ railroad south of Bloemfon-
tein IS now IN the hands OF the British.
and, Gen Rrabant's column having
crossed orange river after forced
Con Clements column being across at
Nansyl the three columns will form an
army or ieoe 90 1900 which Is expected
Go replace the forcss OF Roberto at Biocm-
fpntein a. no pushes uorihward JUST whera
the Beers Will ATTEMPT Go oppose that
march IL an important question, but IL
can not b. easily answered until Gen.
JqpesFt Is more dehnitrN located
Further news has reached tho outside
word nom MRfeklng dated Friday March
:, showing that thoueh tho garrison was
In hard straits 70 WAS huoyed up by the
knowicdHe that their piucky nght was
RpNrcviatnd at home
Contempt for steyn.
Tho Times Publishes Tho following from
blocmfontcln. dated Tuesday.
contempt Tor ihc nisat ~ fho Free
slater Do universal many people ASSERT
ina that president steyn would hsvr teou
shot ~ his Intention Go ncc had been
Mure harm hss lern done go the patch
cauae br fae surrender than H cancsly-
aiae, ans leapifr thr stHf smsnta " tho
brother OF Sfrtu b. ta doubtful that there
.. " H..