Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-24
COLONEL spLUMER
FORCED BACK.
Continued From Page {.

NOTtinuSd from rage I.
Mafeking seems further off than ever
from relief This news was contained
in q dispatch from Buluwayo, dated
Monday, March 10th. and published in
the second edition of the Times. These
advices add that the base hospital has
been brought back to GaberOnes though
the correspondent further says 1t is
thought the object of the Boer demon
stration of March 18th and March 10th
was to cover the removal of the siege
guns from Mafeking.
General French's activity in the
Orange Free State may well he Il pre-
1iminary to a forward movement by
Lord Roberts with the main army.
A dispatch from Bloemfontein. dated
Thursday. March ed says President
Kruger is reported tn have issued Il
proclamation declaring that Great Bri-
tain is in dire straits and that the
Russians have occupied London.
FREE SKATERS SUSPECTED.
A Sprngfonten cable published in
the second edition of the Times says:
'"The apparent submissive attitude
OF the Free Staters should be accepted
with caution. The large proportion of
obsolete inferior weapons being turned
in by them to the British is giving the
impression that large stores of modern
NIausers are being concealed"
The Outlook's special correspondent
at Cape Town says:
Feeling is running strong against
the leniency with which the rebels of
Cape Colony and Natal are being treat
ed by the British authorities"
GENERAL FRENCH FIGHTING.
London, March 23.-According to a
special dispatch from Cape Town,
dated to-day, General French's cavalry
brigade is fighting eastward of Bloem-
fontein.
1t was announced in a dispatch to the
Associated Press from Bloemfontein
last night that General French, with
brigade of cavalry and mounted in
fantry, had arrived at Thabanchu. east
of Bloemfontein, or about half way be-
tween that place and Ladybrand, on
the frontier Of Basutoland, and had
opened photographic communication
with MaZeru, the chief town of Basuto-
land. 1t was added that he reported
all we'll But the position taken by
General French would indicate that his
instructions were to intercept the Boer
forces which have been operating
against the British troops under Cen
eral Gatacre, and which are under
stood to be in retreat from Bethulie.
southern part of the Orange Free
State.
GENERAL FRENCH SAFE.
Bloemfontein. March 22-General
French. with a brigade of cavalry and
mounted infantry has arrived at
Thabanchu and opened photographic
communication with Mazeru. He re-
ports all we'll.
THE BOERS RALLYING.
Boer Camp. Kroonstadt. Thursday,
A n lAty
proper shape, and the Free Staters.
who had to leave. are returning in
crowds. The Presidents proclama ton
has shown the burghers that the Gov
eminent is standing firm. The COM
mands are mobilizing in great numbers,
ever.
President Steyn has issued a proc
lamation In which he warns the
burghers who lay down their arms and
help the English that they are liable
to the utmost punishment dis traitors.
BRITISH DEFEATED.
London. March 2S.-9:21 p. m.-The
War Office has issued The following:
From the General at Cape Town to
the Secretary of War:
Cape Town. March 23.-The follow
Ing telegram has arrived from Nichol-
son. Buluwayo, March 16:
The following is from Plumcr,
Lobatsi, March Il: The Beers adj
vanced from the South i'm considerable
force this morning They first adj
Vanced from Goodies Siding After a
sharp little engagement Lieutenant
Colonel Bodies advanced post was
compelled to retreat. The retirement
was excellently carried out to our main
position. The casualties included Lieu
tenant Chapman and a corporal, pris-
oners. and two missing, probably prs-
oners Five troopers were wounded.
Chapmans horse fell with him close
to the enemy, who Immediately sur
rounded him. The exact Boer casual
tess are unknown, but several were shot
at short range. In the afternoon the
Beers advanced further north and
shelled our position from Il ridge on
our left. Our 12h FOUNDER replied the
artillery duel continuing until sunset.
Lieutenant A. j. Tyler has since died
OF wounds. One native was killed."
MARTIAL LAW.
Cape Town. March 23-It is under
stood that Sir Alfred Miners mission
northward is connected with the en-
forcement OF martial law. He will use
his personal influence toward the nae
1flcation of disaffccted centers.
The Cape ministry is Loyalty support
Ing him. Martial law in response TO
requests from loyalists, has been pro-
cihtlned I'm the Gordonian districts.
LORD N1ETIIUENiS POSITION.
London, March pa dispatch to the
Daily News from Warrenton, dated
epun NH Hn uB