Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1900-04-18
SITUATION Of B0[R War
ENGLISH HOLDING THEIR OWN
Beers In strong Posttions-Lord
Roberta Pretest-Mrs. Kruger n
Pntriot-Gen. Cronje Landed ON
Island Of %. Helena.

Island Of %. Helena.
London, April l6.-Natives report at
Kimberley that Colonel Douglass engaged
the Beers near Zwart's Kop and succeeded
in driving them back. The British casu-
alties were light.
Elandslaagte reported that there had
been no traces of the Beers in that neigh
borhood for the past two days. Their
progress southward has been effectively
barred by the British occupation Of Jone-
nos Kop on the left and Umbulwana on
the right. The belief that the Boer action
recently was due to restlessness and dis
satisfaction in the ranks is confirmed by
natives, who say that the Beers have been
ready for some time and wanted the Brit.
ish to attack them. In order to force this
the Beers commenced shelling, at the same
| time sending force to make a flanking
movement on the left. The natives also
confirm the statement that one of the Boer
heavy guns was put out Of action and
the g,Inners driven off.
The scouts have located the Beers in
q strong position IL miles northeast Of
the British advanced position at Bloem-
fontein.
Lord Roberts has strongly protested to
President Kruger against the treatment
of prisoners, sick and wounded, in the
hands of the Beers, and has formally de-
manded the observance of the Geneva
convention.
1t appears from every indication that
the Beers are preparing, in the event Of
Pretoria being captured, to make last
stand along the line reaching from Ley
denburg along the mountains into Swazi
land. A traveller recently arrived at
Bloemfontein says that the Beers are en-
ergetically working to persuade the
Swazis that the British cause 10 lost and
are seeking to ingratiate themselves, hop
ing to secure a footing in Swaziland
peacefully or to seize hold Of the country
il necessary.
Mrs. Kruger, on being interviewed, said
that she trusted God would soon stop the
merciless bloodshed, but that the republic
would be victoriously defended even il
Pretoria were finally taken. She added
that she had had in the field 20 grand
sons, two Of whom were killed, four sons,
six sons-in-law and numerous other rela-
tives.
Reports From Boer Sources.
Leemokop, Southeast Of Bloemfontein,
April l5.-The Boer commando, which it
a good account of itself with the Basuto-
land police who had invaded the Orange
Free State. Four British scouts who we're
captured say that Bloemfontein is hard
pressed for water.
Commandant Dewet has received q re-
port that the British who fled from
Smithfeld southwark were severely pun
ished by the burghers of Rouxville.
News received here from johannesburg
Drift says British force OF about 1000
men, composed Of Brabant's Horse, with
General Brabant commanding, is surround
ed at Robertson's mills, with remote
chance Of relief or effective resistance.
(The British force reported in the dis.
patch above to be surrounded at Robert
sons mills is probably the force Of colonial
troops previously referred to as surround
ed by the Beers near Wepener. THESE
British troops are not commanded by Gen
eral Brabant in person. Brabant was last
reported at Aliwalnorth with Kitchener.)
Gone to the Hague.
Milan, April l6.-The Boer peace com
missioners have started for The Hague.
DR.. Leyds, diplomatic agent Of the Trans
vaal, accompanied them as far as Brussels.
British Troops Are at Deaar.
Deasr Anr;, ieTha .;n hodv of m.
Csrnovoran field force in command ot
Colonel psrsons ;pclud;ng the Capadia,,
artillery and the mounted rifles, have ar.
rived here after five weeks march from
Victoria road by way of Kenhardt, dis
tance Of more than 80 miles. They en-.
countered no active opposition. Colonel
Parsons pacified the country, which was
previously in rebellion.
Prisoners Are n, 81. Helena.
81 H.,en. Anvil ,s-Gsnera, Cron;a
III. v,;t. .na ar. ~ ~. .,.H ,vho ,.,;th
.,h." u. ~-;s .-:.,.J ~. al M
were landed They were met by the gov
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