Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-16
(By Telegraph to virglnlan-PIlot.)

(By Telegraph to Virginlan-Pilot)
London. May 16.-4:SO a. n.-"Food
will last until about June TO-" is the
latest official word from Colonel Baden
Powell. the British commander of
Mafcling, sent to Lord Roberts under
date of May Z. Five days later the
Beers attempted to storm the town, and
1t Is impossible that they succeeded,
although nothing is known of the at
tack or of its result except through
Pretoria sources, which have no coun-
tenance here.
The British relief column is due there
now. Ten days ago General Snyman
was having difficulty in keeping the
burshers together, owing to the APP
proach of the British, and when the last
Associated Press dispatches left MAIZE
King. on May Z, the Beers had killed,
on the previous day, one of the Horse
Guards and had captured several of
Colonel Baden-P owell's few remaining
horses.
Major +. D. Baillie has sent to the
Morning Post from Mafeking, under
date OF May z this message:
This morning the Beers attacked us.
Result as usual. There is an aching
void here. Pass the loaf"
The Transvaal army has taken q DO
sition at Blaauwbaschdcort Pass. near
Hebron road station. fifty miles north
or Kroonstaad. Its rear guard Is still
holding the hills north OF the Valsch
rlverwhile the Boer scouts are in touch
with British accommodating parties
twenty miles north of Kroonstaad.
The Beers held council OF war at
Lingley. and British spies have learned
that the Beers decided to hold Harri-
smith as long as possible.
Lord Roberts infantry are still at
Kroonstaad.
The railway laborers are hard at
work. and the engineers hope to have
the line repaired within three days.
The prairie has put on a russell win
ter coat. The nights are bitterly cold
but the days are hot.
The FreeStaters are surrendering in
larger numbers than after the occupa-
ton of Bloemfontein.
BOERS CHECKED AGAIN.
Brands Drift, Sunday May 13.-Gen-
eral Rumble has completely checkmate
the attempt OF the Beers to come south
again, and the enemy are retiring be-
fore the persistent advance of the
British. Many have been captured or
are surrendering. There were $50 OF
these yesterday and to-day, among
them President Steyn's brother.
The Ladybrand district is clear of
Beers They have evacuated Mequat-
InG's Mex, and are NOW near Lindfry.
CONCENTRATING ON THE VAAL.
Kroonstad. Monday. May lit is re-
ported that the whole OF the Boer forces
are concentrating on the Vaal, with
drawing from Biggarsberg and the
Southwestern borders.
1t is computed that not more than
1000 Free Staters will fight on the
Wall.
Railway communications with this
place are expected to be open on Thurs
day. The transport is working smooth
ly, the troops and horses are receiving
fun ratlons, water is plentiful and the
health OF the troops Is excellent.
London, May 15-1:56 p. m.-The War
Office has received the following dis
patch from General Butler:
BUTLER OCCUPIES DUNDEE.
Dundee. May Id p. m.-We have
occupied Dundee. About $500 of the
enemy left yesterday for Glencoe. where
they en- trained. Their wagons also left
yesterday by De Jagers Drift and the
Dannhauser road. Their Kafirs said
they were going to Laings Mex. AL
most every house in Dundee is com
pletely looted. The navigation colliery
is all right. The machinery of the Dun
dee collieries is destroyed. The houses
of the town are damaged, but are
Structurally intact.
PORTUGUESE CONSUL ORDERED
OUT.
Lisbon. May 15.-Tt Is rumored here
today that President Kruger has or:
dered the Portuguese consul to leave the
Transvaal Republic.
MAFEKING REPORTED FALLEN.
Lisbon, May 15.-A special dispatch
from Lorenzo Marques says 1t is report
ed that q large force of Beers have
been captured by the British at Mafek-
ing.
Pretoria, 1t is added. reports on the
other hand that Mafeking has fallen.
Lorenzo Marques, May 15.-The Beers
Saturday occupied the kaffir location
at Mareking. They were in turn at.
tackled during the night OF Saturday,
and on Sunday found themselves sur
rounded The Beers lost seven killed
and seventeen wounded. The British
loss Is reported to have been heavy.
REFUGEES FROM MAFEKING.
Pluuners Camp Friday. May 4. via
Ootsi, May 7.-Natives who have ar
rived here say that the Commandment
of Mafesing on May was not heavy.
Twelve hundred and eighty refugees
from Mafeking have reached here.