Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-04-02
WOMEN ARE FRAN TIC
AT PRETORIA THEY WOULD KILL
BRITISH PRISONERS.
SADDENED BY REVERSES
London Again Has Rumors of Relief
of Mafeking but None Are Con-
firmed-Boers Abandon Stormberg
and Move Northward- Kruger Said
to Have Annexed Free State.

London, March 23.-Again there is
persistent rumor that Mafeking has
been relieved. 1t is even asserted the
war office has received dispatch posi-
lively announcing the relief, put that
the publication Of it is withheld be-
cause the form of message admits
possibility of mistake. The war Office,
however, declares there is no confrma-
ton of the rumor and that no further
news is at hand. No attention is paid
in any quarter to the wild bo1r rumors
of Commandant Olivier's victory over
General Gatacre, which was only de-
signed to revive the dropping spirits Of
the burghers. 1t seems certain Mafe-
kings only chances lie in relief by the
column reported to be advancing from
the south or in the possibility that Col
Baden-Powell is still strong enough to
attempt sortie with a view to captur-
ing the boer guns, at the time when
Commandant Snyman has withdrawn
his men to oppose Col. Plumer's adj
vance. All reports regarding British
operations in the Free State continue
most satisfactory. Nothing has de-
veloped regarding Gen. Buffers inten-
tons. 1t is reported from Lourenzo
Marques that Pretoria is prepared to
stand siege of two years, and that
the boer women, frantic at the reverses
to boer arms, are entreating to be al
L. 10 Oh Dvs4;
prisoned at Pretoria 1t is also an
nounced from the Transyaal capitol
that the ItaF n government has de-
clined to int.rfere.
Winston jhurchill, telegraphing from
Ladysmitl. pleads for mercy in dealing
with the rebels He says: 1--WE must
not try for the pound of flesh. No
real conqueror ever lost by clemency,
either in this world or the next. We
have by no means monopoly Of right
in this quarrel, and our African record
does not entitle us to judge too
Larshly."
Kruger Annoxe Free State.
London, March pa special cores
pendent of the Times at Bloemfontein
says: Yesterday President Kruger is
sued a proclamation annexing the
| Free State to the Transvaal and Pres
ident Steyn Immediately issued coun-
ter proclamation declaring the Free
State intact
No Charge Against Methuen.
London, March 23-Replying in the
house of commons yesterday to series
of questions on the subject of General
Lord Methuen and bis alleged dis
agreements with the officers of his
column, which have caused consider
able scandal, the parliamentary secre-
tary for the war office, George Wynd-
ham, declared that no charge had been
brought against Methuen by Col.
Cough or any other officers. Col.
Cough, he added, had been Informed of
an inquiry to be held into his case.
Cough is alleged to have been ordered
home by Gen. Methuen, after declining
to obey command issued by the latter,
and the colonel demanded a trial by
court martial.
Beers Abandon Stormberg.
Maseru, Basutoland, March 23.-Sev-
eral thousand beers, with huge con-
voy of wagons, have been passing
from Smithfield toward Ladybrand
during the last two days. 1t is sup
posed the boer forces have retired from
Norval's point, Bethulie and Stormberg,
on their way north. Government Of
ficers are taking observations at the
present moment. The paramount Ba-
suto chief, Lerothodi, has arrived here
With large following and is comforting
with the British agent, Sr Godfrey Lag
den.