The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-28
strongly opposed to peace. but Mr.. Kruger
is not so much against il"
ROERS MAY SURRENDER

Il not SO mucn against II.
BOERS MAY SURRENDER.
President Kruger's proclamation to the
burghers asking their votes for or against
continuing the war is understood TO say
that they can quit now with the prospect
Of retaining their farms or continue to
the bitter end. Rumors are current in
Lord Roberts's army that the Beers intend
to surrender
Several correspondents wire the London
papers that there are 100000 foreigners I'm
the Boer ranks. but this is hardly credible.
The indications are that pitched battle
is imminent at Laings mex, where General
Butler faces the Beers, reinforced and
seemingly determined. with an estimated
strength of from 5000 TO 10000. The rein
forcements include large party from
Ladybrand and French commanders from
Pretoria. General Buffers officers are
doubtful of the ability of the Beers to dis
play the same tenacity as in the fighting at
Ladysmith The British are confident that
when the moment arrives they will be able
to force the passes.
Two boxes of dynamite fuse have been
found under the Newcastle City Hall. Gen.
Butler is causing numerous arrests of sus-
Fietermaritzburg. Mr.. Gawthorpe, a chem
ist. and his wife, have been arrested on
charge of high treason.
LITTLE FIGHTING RECENTLY.
With the exception of few shots ex-
changed with the retiring Beers at Veree-
niging. the only fighting during the last
two days with all the great armies in the
field appears to have been two small en-
gagements in the eastern part of the Free
State. At Ficksburg on Saturday the Beers
attacked the British occupying the town,
but they were forced to retire toward Slab
bert's mex. A Maseru correspondent wires
the fact, adding that nothing is known re-
garding casualties. The same day General
Brabant's scouts located 200 Beers in
trenched near Clocolan. The scouts ad-
vanced to within 200 yards, when the Beers
fired heavily. The scouts retired and four
are missing.
General Rumble is slowly sweeping Il.
eastern section of the Tree State. Occa-
sionally his squadrons came across parties
of Beers, two or three in number, and
usually on foot, who are wearily going to
their farms. Some of them carry saddles
on their backs. Wholesale surrenders are
expected. but thus far they have not oc-
Cured in that region. Small commanders
are described by the correspondents as hur-
rying to and fro and finding every road
barred.
The British troops at Mafeking have been
having some exciting cricket matches. The
relieving troops are resting and the de-
Tending troops are feeding up. The South
ern Railway has been repaired to point
within forty-five miles of Mafeking.
Some five or six hundred Beers are op-
| Grating east of vryburg, rallying the dis
affected and watching an opportunity to
| cut the railway and to harass General
Hunters advancing division.
| Lord Roberts has wired the War Ofhce
| that there is urgent need for more rolling
stock, and the Daily Express asserts that
contracts have been placed in the United
| States for fifty locomotives and many cars
| the British manufacturers being unable &c
/ fill the orders with requisite speed.
| Several prominent uitlanders have Joined
| Lord Roberts as guides and advisers with
reference to the country around Johannes
burg.
A Cape Town correspondent says
United States Consul General Stowe is
| about to visit Lord Roberts. though
whether out of personal curiosity or with
some official purpose has not been made
known here"
The Standard has the following from
| Vredefort, dated Thursday, May "a: "Thir
| ty thousand Beers are reported to have
passed through here Tuesday and to have
crossed the vaal, but this number is prob
ably excessive"