Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-26
SIEGE Of VEPEyER.
Reports That 1t Was Practically
Raised Apparently Premature.
ROADS IN A TERRIBLE CONDITION.


London, April 25.-The reports that
the siege of Wepener has been prac-
tically raised were apparently prema-
ture. The Boer attack upon Col Dali
gety's northern position, as described
from Maseru, was probably a final
attempt to rush the garrison Before
securing safe retreat and as Col.
Dalgety successfully repnlsed the at
tack, little further anxiety is felt on
his account.
Lord Roberts has now spread net
with some 10000 or more men, and
1850 guns, covering the whole western
semi-crcle around Wepener, while
Hamilton has occupied the wafer
works, practically without opposl-
ton.
The Seventh division, under Gen.
Tucker, assisted by naval guns, has
made a demonstration from Karee
Siding, the Beers showing some OPP
position At the same time n brigade
moved out from Glen TO take up a
position on a range Of hills at Gen
naadenaIe, north of the Modder. The
watcrworks were found unchanged,
with the exception of the removal of
the sliding valves of the pumping Ell
gines.
The Beers now can only escape,
without risking an encounter, north
ward to Ladysmith, and the chance OF
O successful outcome of the plans Of
Lord Roberts depends on whether
the British troops can reach Thaba
N'Chu and Ladybrand before the re-
treating commanders from De Vets
dorp and Wepener.
All the correspondents report that
the roads are in terrible condition,
which accounts for the slow prog
rcss of the British columns, and, II
the Beers are as well informed Of
the British plans as they hitherto
have been, they are likely again to es-
cape.
1t Is now within three weeks of
the date predicted for the British
occupation of Pretoria, and, although
the present operations, as suggested
IN some quarters, may be the begin
ming of the main advance, 1t Is not
certain that they will not entail u
further halt at Blocmfontein.
Military situation Discussed.
London, April dispenser Wlkin-
son, discussing the military situation
in the Morning Post, says. Lord
Roberts, with a commendable con
cealment of his intentions, 'has be-
gun the second act in his campaign
He has suddenly dcploycd his army
on the long front from Karce Siding
to Wepener, distance of about 70
miles. Without doubt Winston
Ghurchill's reference 10 Gen. Rumble
means that this commander is en-
.deavoring to amuse the Beers until
Gen. French shall be able to shut the
retreat northward. The Beers have
no army on the spot large enough
to attack the British army so de-
ployed. Therefore, as soon as the
local struggles are over, the British
numerical superiority and the slSilful
handling, which recent movements
have shown, justify hope that mat
ters will end in favor of the British,
The line can, If need be, be wheeled
TO It's left, so that while the left holds
Its ground at Karee Siding the cen
ter and right can move forward to
Thaba N'Chu and Ladybrand. Such
a move would hurry the Beers away
from their position at Brandfort."
Gloomy State Of Affairs at Mafeking
London, April 25,-The Matching
correspondent Of the Times tele-
graphing Monday, April o. gives Il
gloomy account Of the depression
due to the probability Of the siege
lasting until the end Of May and
says: ut is hard to accept Col, Ba-
den-Powel's efforts to cheer the peo-
pie by optimistic predictions, in the
absence Of any signs Of release"
Operations on Great Scale In Progress.
London, April 25.--Winston Church
I'll wires from Wakkerstroom, under
Mondays date, as follows' Com
bined operations on n great scale are
now In progress, and Gen. Rundle's
force is still containing the Boer po-
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