The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
The South African War.

dispatch from Ladysmith under
date of April % says there are only
small parties of Beers in Tintwa pass,
but that some hundreds are guarding
Van Reenen's and Oliveshook passes
ommandants DE Beer and Vannesherk
are in charge and their forces have been
so disposed that the whole body can be
massed at any pass the British may at
tempt to force.
dispatch from DeWet's dorp, dated
April 81, says residents of that place
claim the strength of the Boer force
which recently evacuated the place was
six thousand men, With six guns, under
German officers.
According to special despatch from
Thaba N'Chu, dated Sunday, the British
troops now that the adjacent county is
cleared of the Beers who trekked hur-
riedly in the direction of Ladybrand,
will recuperate for short period
The members of the Boer peace mis-
sion will sail from Rotterdam for the
United states, Thursday evening, by the
Holland American line steamship Mas
dam.
The Standards special correspondent
at Bloemfontein, telegraphing, Sunday
evening, says: "Reports have just been
received that the Beers are retiring to
the north of Ladybrand. Their horses
are exhausted.and they themselves dis
appointed over their failure to capture
oil. Dalgetty's position. The British
cavalry who were pursuing the fugitive
commanders are returning to Bloemfon-
tein."
The announcement that Gen. French's
cavalry is returning to Bloemfontein is
clear proof that there. is no further hope
of catching the retreating Beers, and the
London papers are beginning to display
Impotence at the practical failure of the
elaborate operations of last week.
As sequel TO the recent Johannes
burg explosion, the government has
ordered British subjects with few ex-
captions, to leave the republic within
48 hours. Nearly ga 900 has been sub
scribed for the relief of the victims
Commandant Schatt has been relieved of
the military command at Johannesburg
Information from Mafeking, under
date of April II, IS careful, saying every
thing was satisfactory. He added that
the Boer guns were firing heavily into
the town and that determined attack
has been repulsed without casualties on
the British side.
Most of the Beers retreatng from
Wepener and De Vets dorp are going
to Winburg az the large British force at
Thaba N'Chu renders retreat to Brand
fort risky Reports are current that
Brandfort may be abandoned without a
fight.
At the conclusion of Gen. Sir George
Whites visit to Windsor, Tuesday, Queen
Victoria decorated the defender of
Ladysmith with the cross and star of the
Royal Victorian Order. Her Majesty
and the soldier had lengthy confer
ence. 1t is learned that the Queen was
more angry than for years over the pub
LEGATION of the Spion Kop dispatches.
special dispatch from Thaba N'Chu,
dated Monday, says they made a daring
attempt to cut off British convoy which
got into broken ground between Thaba
M hu and DeWet's dorp, opening fire
from the adjacent hills. In the nick of
time General Brabazon, with strong
force of yeomanry returning from Mepe-
ner, arrived on the scene and extricated
tne convoy
The Beers are now showing uncom.
mon activity west of Bloemfontein.
They are in force between Fourteen
Streams and Kimberley On sunday
they occupied indsorton, west of the
railway, and now threaten to interrupt
the communication of the British forces
at Warrenton TO the north. This, too,
at a time when Gen. Hunter Is about to
start on 200 mile march to Mafeking,
probably with 5000 men.
Lord Roberts has telegraphed the war
Office from Bloemfontein Wednesday
that news has been received from Col.
Baden Powell, the British commander
at Mafeking, saying all was we'll there.
The dispatch was dated April 20
Thelma Cream Ia the leading lotion,
today, for chapped hands, lips. or face.
Sold by Sampson, the corner druggist
only.