The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-29
MILNER AT BLoEMFONTEIy.
Situation in Different Parts of the
War District

War District.
London, March 2S.--The British high
commissioner, Sir Alfred Milner, arrived
at Bloemfontein last night and was met
by Lord Roberts and his staff.
According to a dispatch from Bloem-
fontetn published in the second edition of
the Times, the high commissioners visit
is of private nature. 1t is thought this
can scarcely be anything but an official
subterfuge, the question of the pacifca-
ton of the Free State and the treatment
of the insurgents, doubtless, being dis
cussed between Lord Roberts and Sir
Alfred Miner.
According to the same dispatch Cen
French, previous to returning to Bloem-
fontein, occupied the flour mills near Bat
ter, which are considered an important
acquisition.
Reports from Rouxville and other towns
say the surrender of arms to the British
continues satisfactorily.
Gen. Clements column entered Faure-
smith Tuesday, March q, having previous
ly occupied Jagersfontein. Magistrates
were appointed, the proclamation was
was read, bands of music met the troops
and flags Were flown. The scenes resem-
bled the American occupation Of Porto
Rican towns
Among the spectators at Fauresmith
was President Steyns daughter. Heavy
rains made Gen. Clements march hard,
and are causing sickness among the
troops.
Beers at Ladybrand.
A dispatch from Maseru, Basutolan3,
dated Tuesday. March q. says the appar-
entity reliable reports that the Beers are
re-entering Ladybrand cause the pre-
sumption that the British troops have
crossed the line of the Boer retreat to-
wards Kroonstad, and that a fight or
surrender near Ladybrand is imminent
As Maseru dispatches are not distinguish
ed for their accuracy, and as the British
force near Ladybrand, under Col Pitcher,
is quite small, nothing very definit e. seems
likely to result from the operations.
Further advices from Mafeking dated
March 16, reiterate that oil was well there
and that the Gordon was not so tightly
drawn the Beers allowing natives to
pass through their lines, which they had
previously forbidden.
The native refugees are reported to be
too stupid and lazy to work or take
cover from the shells. They gather in
crowds around the soup Kitchens and
have to be driven away when the warn
ing bell rings. The bombardment, just
previous to the dispatch being sent, had
been unusually vigorous and it was add
ed that il was probable that before long
the rations would be stll further reduced.
Two Boer prisoners escaped from the
camp at Simonstown, March 26. The
sickness there is unabated and many OF
the prisoners are in a serious condition.
Little News From Butler.
The only word from Gen. Butler is
report of the officers who have recovered
from wounds and who have returned to
dutv which list includes the name of
Lieut. John Churchill, brother of Winston
Churchill
A special dispatch from Bloemfontein
says:
end. Troops are being pushed to the
front and transports and stores are being
collected The men are in grand cond.-
ton and the horses are picking up Won
derfully."
However. the reports regarding the i'm
minence of a forward movement are so
conflicting that they cannot be taken as
in any way authoritative.
Lord WoIseley Is GratiHed.
prosiding ot the annual meeting of the
Militia Rife Association this afternoon,
the conmander-in-chief of the forces,
Lord Wolseley. said the country was to
he CONGRATULATED on the manner in which
the war was proceeding, Great Britain,
he ponted out had in the field the larg-
est army ever sent across the seas in
the history of the world, and composed
of the finest men ne had ever seen in
any army. This satisfactory situation,
he continued. was primarily due to the
wonderful army system inaugurated by
Lord Cardwell, but for which II
would have been impossible for
Great Britain to carry on the
south African war, as had It not been
for. the military and reserves, Great Bri-
tain would have been in very bad way.
Continuing. Lord Woseley said nearly
900 officers and thirty battalions of mill
tia have been landed in South Africa since
the war: that 27,O0) militia have passed
into The regulars since 1SS7-SS, and that
me embodiment Of the military into the
regulars this year was successfully car
ried out. " ., -,
that the officer IN charge Of the embark
alton testified to the high standing OF all
Who went out all of which he concluded
proved the immense value Of militia to
regular troops.
.,,,,xrN rssTEG CLAM ALTON.