Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-23

London, March "a a. m.-Agan
there is a persistent rumor that Mafe-
king has been relieved. The War Of
fec, however declares that there is
no confirmation of the rumor, and that
no further news on the subject is at
hand
1t seems certain that Mafcking'S only
chances lie in relief by the column sup
posed to be advancing from the South
or in the possibility that Colonel
Baden Powell is still strong enough to
attempt Il sortic, with a view of cap
turing the Boer guns. at u time when
Commandment Snyman has withdrawn
his men to oppose Colonel Plumers adj
vance.
All the reports regarding the British
operations IN the Free state continue
satisfactory.
1t is reported from Lourenzo Marques
that Pretoria is prepared to stand Il
siege of two years, and that the Boer
women, frantic at the reverses to the
13oer arms, are entreating to be III
lowed to shoot the British officers in
prisoned at Pretoria.
1t is announced from the Transvaal
Capital that the italian Government
has declined to intervene.
GATACRE AGAIN WHIPPED.
London. March GA report from
Kroonstadt, O. Il. S., via Pretoria. that
the Beers. under the command of Gene
raj Olivier. had defeated the British
troops under General Gatacrc, in the
vicinity of Bethulie. is not believed
here. a dispatch to the Daily News
from Spriugfontein, dated Tuesday,
.N1arch 90 SAYS General Gatacre was
"al WELL" and adds that he and Gene
raj Brabant had not lost a dozen men
f;,, ,;rr1,t 1,a Inst al vic nl
placed General Gatacre about thirty
miles north of I}cthulie, whtre the Boer
report says the defeat was inflicted.
I This. combined with the fact that no
mention of the affair was made by
Lord Roberts in his dispatch of March
81. confirms the belief that the kroon
Stadt adviccS are erroneous.
COL. pLUMER'S COLUMN.
The reports of skirmishing near Lob
atsi. while apparently not inflctng any
serious loss on Colonel Plumer's col
umns. cause grave anxiety in regard TO
his ability Ia reach Mafeking. Further
news from that quarter is anNiously
awaited, for in the six days that have
elapsed since the last messages were
sent off q serious engagement may have
occurred. though not OF Colonel Plum
cr'S Seckg. The Beers seem deter
mined not TO give up their prey at
Mafeking without fierce struggle.
In reply to the Mayor of Cape Towns
request to make "NIafe6ing relief day"
IL public holiday, Premier Schrener
wrote:
May the holiday come soon and may
spirit of general good will and kindly
consideration prevail later"
The Times. in its second edition. pub
fishes a dispatch from LourenzO Mar
dues. which quotes President Steyn as
saying, at Kroonstadt, that the Beers
could continue the struggle for six
months longer
ACTIVITY ON NATAL BORDER
While the Beers and British in the
Orange Free State are taking adj
vantage of the period Of inactivity to
enjoy a rest, those on the borders of
Natal are beginning to show activity.
n special dispatch from Durham says
the town OF I'omcroy, 80 miles east of
Ladysmith. has been burned by the
Beers. y British detachment arriving
at Pomeroy ms the Beers evacuated the
place shclled the burgherS, but they
succeeded in taking up strong posi-
ton in the hills with Il force estimated
to number five thousand men.
SAFETY OF PRISONERS.
1t has been learned that no new
peace overturee; have been made to
Lord Salisbury nor are any expected
at present by Great Britain. The tel
egraphic correspondence has been con-
fined to the treatment of prisoners.
Lord Salisbury, as already cabled, is
holding the Presidents of the South
African Republics responsible for the
welfare of British prisoners. The ques-
ton OF safety OF Johannesburg and the
gold mines there has not been raised.
The correspondence exchanged be-
tween Lord Salisbury and President
Kruger will shortly be given to Par
lament.
COL. COUGHS CASE
Replying lin the House of Commons
to-day to series OF questions on the
subject of General Lord Methuen and
his alleged disagreements with the Of
ficers Of his column, which have caused
considerable scandal. the Parliament
airy Secretary for the War Office,
George Wyndham. declared no charge
had been brought against General Me
thuen by Colonel Cough or any other
officer Colonel Cough, he added has
been informed that an inquiry would
be held into his case. Colonel Cough is
alleged to have been ordered home by
General Methuen after declining to
obey a command issued by the latter,
and the Colonel demanded a trial by
court-martial.
HOLLAND WON'T INTERVENE.
Tho Hague March 22-After mature