Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-28
&C iOSS THE VIAL.
Continued from page ~

of experiment. One German invention
is for use on railway. where it lies
perfectly concealed until the weight of
a passing train explodes the charge.
Gen. Lukas Meyer says surrender
would be at once proposed by the Beers
but that everybody fears the ignomy
Of being the one to make the proposal.
He declares that he is assured that his
men will not stand. President Steyn
and Mr.. Reitz are strongly opposed TO
peace, but Mr.. Kruger is not so much
against it.
president kruger's proclamation to
the burghers asking their votes for or
against continuing the war is under
stood 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
army that the Beers intend to sur
render"
Several correspondents wire the Lon
don papers that there are 5000 for
eigncrs in the Boer ranks; but this is
hardly credible.
The indications are that a pitched
battle is iminent at Laings Mex where
Gen. Butler faces the Beers. reinforced
and seemingly determined. with an es-
timated strength of from 5000 to 10. 900
men. The reinforcements include n
large party from Ladybrand and fresh
commanders from Pretoria.
Gen. Buffers officers are doubtful Of
the ability Of the Beers to display the
same tenacity as in the fighting at La
dysmith. 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 suspected rebels. Forty-twO
nave been sent to pietermaritzburS
Mr., Gawthorpe. a chemist, and his
wife have been arrested on the charge
Of high treason.
With the exception Of few shots ex-
changed with the retiring Beers a We
reeniging the only fighting during the
last two days appears to have been two
small ENGAGEMENTS in the eastern part
of the Free state. At Ficksburg. Sat
urday. the Beers attacked the British
occupying the town. They were forced
TO retire toward Slabbertsnek 4 Mas
cru correspondent wires the fact. ad-
ding that nothing is known regarding
the casualties.
The same day Gen. Brabants scouts
located 200 Beers tntrenched near
Glocclan. The scouts advanced within
200 yards. when the Beers fired heavily
The scouts retired, and four are miss
ing.
Gen. Rumble is slowly sweeping the
eastern section OF the Free State. Oc-
casiCnally his squadrons come across
parties of Beers, two or three in num-
Der and usually on foot. who are wear
lily going to their farms. Some Of them
carry saddles on their backs. Whole
sale surrenders are expected: but thus
far they have not occurred in that re-
gion.
The British troops at Mafeking haze
been having some exciting cricket
matches. The relieving troops are
resting. and the defending troops are
feeding up. The Southern railway has
been repaired to a point within 45
miles Of Mafeking
Some 500 or 500 Beers ar operating
EAST VI Wy buIS anu an w
portunity to cut the railway and to
harrass Gen. Hunters advancing di-
vision. Lord Roberts has wired the wa
vision. Lord Roberts has wired the
war office that there is urgent need Of
more rolling stock; and the Daily Elk
press asserts that contracts have been
placed in the United States for 80 10
comotives and many cars, the British
manufacturers being unable to fill the
orders with requisite speed.
Several prominent Uitlanders have
joined Lord Roberts as guides and adj
visers with reference to the country
around johannesburg.
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
Vredefordt, dated Thursday. May "a;
Thirty thousand Beers are reported
to have passed through here. Tuesday.
and to have crossed the Vaal; but this
number is probably excessive"
The Lourenzo Marquee correspondent
of the Times in dispatch. dated Sat
urday, says: During the week the
Beers have successfully deceived even
the best informed residents with refer
ence to the probable course of events
when Lord Roberts entered the Trans
vaal. While one section declares that
all serious fighting is ended, another
is equally convinced that the burghers
will make stand at johannesburg and
Pretoria.
Men who have been present at the
recent engagements describe them
not as strategical retreats but as ig-
nominious routs, wholly unjustified by
the initial damage inflicted by the
British. Such observers are convinced
that all operations of a military inter
est are now at an end.
capt. Alum. the Norwegian mill
tary attache, is returning home. IN
deed. so great is the eagernesS of con-
tinental residents to quit the Transvaal
that both the German and French
steamers are unable to cope with the
demand for berths.
1T is rumored here that the Cape
rebel leaders who are now serving with
| the Beers are anxious to escape to Eu-
rope and that certain members of the