Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-13

honorable peace would act as oil on
flames and probably only create freSh
complications We consider that over
lures for mediation can emanate from
some power whose cordial relations
with England prevent such a sugges-
ton being construed as an unfriednly
act.
THE emperor OF Germany for In
stance. might take the Initiative, or
President Mckinley, without fear or
creating the friction which stands In
the way Of any such action on our part
and after this Is done, reliance can be
placed on the unqualified support OF
France and Russia, whose only desire
is 10 see the end OF the bloodshed and
are eager to lend their good offices In
bringing about this result"
UNITED STATES ONLY A MEssEN-
GER.
Washington, March l3.-Up to the
time the cabinet meeting adjourned to-
day no answer had been received from
the British government to the repre-
sensations made through Mr.. Choate
touching the restoration OF peace IN
South Africa. 1t was decided by the
cabinet upon an explanation of the case
By Secretary Hay, that II would not be
proper at present TO make any state
ment relative 10 the part which the
United States government Is taking in
the effort 70 terminate the war.
1t Is stated again on the highest au-
thority that In its present capacity the
United States government is not
mediary but 10 simply q 'go-between.'
Not single proposition TO serve as
basis Of a peace agreement between
Great Britain and the South African
Republics was set out in the commune
cation to Lord Salisbury. All that was
yentufed In this first overture was an
inquiry as TO what Great Britain was
likely 20 demand as the price Of stop
ping the war To have gone further
and have proposed terms on our own
account might have placed the United
States In the position OF an unlnvited
mediator.
Secretary Hay was almost speeches.
from a severe cold and when the cab
met meeting adjourned he was obliged
to go home and go TO bed.
STILL WITHOUT BLoEMFoNTEIN.
London, March Is, 2;47 p.m.-Lord
Roberts actual entry into the orange
Free State capital seems likely 10 be
delayed until tomorrow or late today,
as his statement that he Is going 20 re-
inforce Gen. French implies that oppo-
sition IL being encountered on the OUT
skirts Of the town, though the definite
statement that the British cavalry lead
er has positions which command the
situation leaves no doubt that the oceu-
patton will speedily be effected and with
II. so the London critics think, will ac-
crue to the British important captures
Of supplies II not Of prisoners. How
ever, II may be that the Beers may
make a strenuous resistance, which Will
not be overcome until Lord Roberts
main army catches up with the cayal-
ry.
The strategic Importance OF what is
taken to be the practical capture OF one
OF the enemy's seats OF government has
created little enthusiasm In London, as
for days 1t had been regarded as certain
that Lord Roberts would soon be at
Bloemfontein. and only few persons
gathered around the bulletin boards.
CURIOSITY AS TO FREE SKATERS.
Here and there flags were displayed.
but no demonstration marked the re-
ceipt Of the news. The predominating
feeling seems to be curiosity as TO what
would be the result, and surmises as TO
whether the Free Staters would give In.
The rumors OF the relief OF Mafeking
became more circumstantial today, but
they still lacked official confirmation,
while the Mafeking dispatch Of March )
published today, plainly disposed Of the
report that the besieged residents had
evacuated the place and that the Beers
had retired from Boshof.
A refugee. who was at Herschel. says
that bitterness almost 10 the point OF
hostilties exists between the colonial
rebels and the Free Staters Of that To-
cality
SATURDAYS HARD FIGHTING.
Dreifonteln. Orange Free State SUM-
day, March ll.--Gen. Roberts advance
yesterday across the scorching plains
from Poplar Grove 20 this place. was
marked by the most severe engagement
since crossing the Modder river. The
Beers stubbornly contested every foot
OF ground, only fleeing at dusk. when
Lord Roberts threw most OF his troops
against the center OF their weakened
line.
At the point where Col. Broadwood
turned the Boer left, he found himself
under the fire OF their nine pounder.
The Beers, however. ultimately holsted
the white flag. When Col. Brentwood
advanced he was surprised TO find the
Beers had taken advantage OF the ces-
sation OF fire TO escape in the dark.
ness.
KRUGER CALLS THEM HORSE
THIEVES.
The Transvaal prisoners showed they
were entirely surprised by Lord Rob-
eras' tactics.
A Free Slater whose house President
Kruger occupied during the Boer fight
from Osfonteln. said he complained to
the president about the deprldations
Of the Transvaalers, whereupon the
president replied;
mo wonder we are beaten. The
burghers entered into the war TO fight
for righteous cause. but now they
have developed into horse and cattle
stealers."
TERRIBLE CONDITION AT MA
FEKING.
London. March i2.-A Dispatch re-