New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-20
OFFICIAL NEWS LACKING,
BIT THIS FACT DID NOT CHILL THE EN-
THUsIAsM OF THE METROPOLIS.


THUsIAsM OF THE METROPOLIS.
ICopyrehr: 1900: BY The New-Tork 7rtbunel
by CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNEl
London. May % l a. m.-London has been
waving the nag for twenty-four hours without
waiting for official confirmation Of the good
news from Mafeking This was still lacking
when the War Office closed at midnight. but
the suspicion that President KRUGER might be
beguiling the British Empire was a horrible
pleasantly which did not chill the ardor of the
-ollicking crowds holding high carnival in the
streets.
The chief additions TO the stock Of public
knowledge came from Cape Town. where details
respecting the organization Of the relief column
were al last allowed 10 pass the censor Bull
letins have been received from the relief force
from time 10 time. and there was no opposition
until il reached KraaiDan. and even there re-
sistance was feeble The strength of the force
which was previously stated 10 be 5000. has
been reduced 70 1900 and according 10 one
version even TO LOO and ii carried four guns
two ''ponlpons" and two Maxims and thirty
five wagons Of slores and ammunition The
column advanced at the rate IF twenty miles
day keeping 10 the west OF the railway through
the Tryburg district, and halting May II at
Mar:tzani. twenty-five miles south OF Mafeking
AS the Boer assault made the following
day. Colonel Baden-PoweII was dependent upon
his own resources for repulsing the last des-
perate effort OF the enemy
The relief column entered Mafeking Tues
dav or Wednesday. after meeting with little re-
sistance. one account. alleged 10 be from the
relief column. speaks of an attack in strong
force upon it, after which the Beers bolted,
fighting rearguard action for some time.
These details are meagre but it is evident
that the function Of the relief column was 10
attack the besieging force and disperse II. rather
than 70 open the railway and provision the
starving town It's advance was closely timed
with Roberts's movement northward and with
Hunters attack on Fourteen Streams and under
cover Of these larger operations it escaped OBJ
servarion: and having been organized and
eguipped with special reference 10 mobility, 1t
pressed forward with all possible dispatch. The
retreat Of the Beers will enable Colonel Plumer
70 enter Mafelxing from the north with addition
a. supplies and the railway will speedily be re-
paired from Salisbury, where General Caring
TN with the Australian bushnen and Canadian
artillery ard other forces viii be in a position
ID cooperate with the Mafeking garrison
Whether the leader Of the relief column was
Colonel Mahon. who was Kitchener's trusted
lieutenant in lhe Soudan. or some other officer
rof vet named the main credit for the deliver
snce Of Mafeking belongs TO General Roberts
and General Kitchener who planned the move
raent with amazing skill and precision The
success Of this relief expedition is another proof
Of me mastery generalship which has trans
formed the military situation in South Africa
There was a disturbing report during the day
70 the effect that Colonel Baden-Powell had been
dangerously wounded, but II was not confirmed
from any trustworthy source.
The War ONCE gave out at midnight bulle
tin from General Butler stating that Clery's
division had advanced TO Ingogo and Dundonald
70 Laing's Mex nearly overtaking the Boer
column Lngogo was the scene OF a battle in
the first Of independence, and Majuba is
close a. hand. The extent Of the damage done
10 the tunnel is not yet known with precision.
Buffers march has been Unexpectedly rapid, and
his forces are now in a position to turn the
rocky de5le which has always been regarded as
tnnpregnable against assault.
General Roberts's advance is not Yet reported.
but his cavalry is doing effective work in scour-
ing the districts toward the VaaL
Columns might be written about the scenes of
pubic rejoicing IN London yesterday. Business
was virtually suspended. and the rollicking
crowds were in possession Of the streets from
early morning until midnight. The national
anthem sung by Ave thousand voices in the
stock Exchange There was a service Of thanks
giving in ST PaUls, and the Abbey was crowded
IN the afternoon Baden-Powel's mothers
mouse, near Hyde Park corner. was surrounded
hour after hour with throngs cheering Justify
for the hero OF Mafeking. Every shop front
was afiane with the national colors and al
night Pail Mall, the Strand. Piccadilly and
whitehall were brilliantly illuminated. Hour
afler hour there was high revel in the streets;
every man, woman and child carried flag. and
there was 4 saturnalia Of practical joking and
Algn spirits. Even Ladysmith Day dull and
pnosale II comparison with Mafeking Day with
us malutudes Of merrymakers. its street pa
iaNes musicians and flag bearers marching to
u I'm Deat and Dugle call; lis roaring choruses
a every corner and its pandemonium Of madcap
Ao'di&msna and holiday sport The celebration
"@S spontaneous outbreak of public rejoicing
20 ,S<airo In Catskiis by Day Line Steamers L
Ga.