The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-14
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, March S-The city is
crowded to overlooking to witness the
arrival of the Queen in London. Her
majesty's train arrived at Paddington
from Windsor at 1915 p. NJ. and was
met by the Prince of Wales, the Lord
Mayor aud other notables who escorted
the royal carriage around which the
Life Guards were drawn up. The ride
to Buckingham Palace was attended by
scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm.
Never has the Queen received such a
reception, not even on the occasion of
the jubilee. The Queen appeared in
the best of spirits, sat up very straight,
and bowed and smiled continually in
response to the ovation.
LONDON, March 6.-Lord Roberts
wired last evening from Poplar Grove,
fourteen miles east of Osfontein, that
the Boer positions, fifteen miles long
across his path, have been emptied,
and their holders have been obliged to
retire.
Nothing was done by Lord Roberts
to disturb the symmetry, the deadly in
genuity of the Boer trenches in front
of him. He marched out infantry es-
timated at 10000 men, and sent TO-.
900 horsemen and horse artillery in a
bold sweep around the Boer left,
whereupon the Boer center and right
became untenable. Fifty British fell
when the cavalry came into contact
with the Beers.
Newspaper correspondents differ as
to the strength of the enemy. The
Daily MdipS representative thinks the
Beers number something more than
1000. The Daily Ne,Ds man estimates
them at 10000 AS these figures come
from observers at headquarters, it is
clear that Lord Roberts, force was
! overwhelmingly superior He can
scarcely have fewer than 40, ZOO i'm.
mediately available.
LONDON, March 9.-The Beers have
made no stand whatever, except that,
while in retreat, they twice repulsed
General French's cavalry with rifle
fire. AS no report has been made Of
the capture of prisoners the enemy
probably got away with their entire
force. General French is still follow
ing them and keeping between them
and Bloemfontein. The evacuation o.
the northern districts of Cape Colony
is now nearly complete. The British
are in possession of the railroad cross
ings.
The military critics comment on the
discouraging news from Mafeking
Col. Baden Powell seems to be in grave
need of outside help, otherwise he
would not allow the correspondents tC
send out information respecting the
distress of the garrison,
A readjustment of some of the high.
er commands is taking place. General
White is to 90 to Stormberg, to take
supreme command of General Gatacre';
division and the 10Th division, now il
process of formation which will be
under the immediate command OF Gen
eral Hunter, Sir George Whites chief
of staff,
A dispatch from Pretoria, dated
Thursday evening says Secretary OF
State Reitz has issued war bulletins in
which, after saying that the govern.
ment has no official tidings of the sur
render of General Cronje, but must &C
cept it as fact, however painful, adds
1.-THE government remains assured that
the surrender will not discourage the
burghers in their defence of their in
pendence. In spite of all reports, the
spirit of the fighting men as to the out
come remains unchanged. Among the
commands in Natal the burghers are
full of courage"