The sun., 1900-04-21
THE SOUTH AFRICA WAR
Firing Reported to Be In Progress
Near karee Sidingo
MAY PORTEND THE ADVANCE
Dispatch by Way of Pretoria Gives
a Report THAT Fever Is Rap
idly Decimnting the Gar
risOn nt MnfeIsing.

London, April 20--In a special dis
patch from BlOemfontein, under date of
April 10, it is said that firing has been
heard south of karce siding, six miles
north of Glen. The strength of the
Beers is not known. The British in
fantry, supported by artillery, hold IA
strong position on a large dam.
The report of the fighting ut Karcc may
he the first news Of the progress Of the
British advance on Pretoria. But. even
if the Narre affair is merely an unim
poltat skirmish. there are many other
Indications HAT Lord Roberts is either
starring ~ has already started for the
FORTH IN goal.
! dispatch from Cape Town says. The
ct. ship restrictions have been greatly
in,.,d,,d owing To the movements of the
tra ns.'
.\ the dispatches lear traces Of the
strenuous Efforts of the correspondents
Is give their papers All inking of what
| is aflot.
The Beers south Of Blocmroutcin, ii is
reported, aye rctrcating. Large COM
| nandes were seen on .hpril 10 near
| Ihaba N'chu moving north. Their prog
rcss was slow, however, owing to the
trllible condition Of the country.
'''''e
fever is decimating the Mafcking garri.
son, and Il letter from the mayor of MAJ
fcking says Lord Roberts asked Colonel
Badcnpowcll to hold out until May 70.
Rhodes Sailing From England.
Cecil Rhodes returns to Cape Town AT
once. The announcement of his depart
urc was unexpected. Never has man
so prominently connected with the vita
| nf lrv n
, visit to London
1t is learned that the so called 'empir,
maker" came to England purely on busi
ness connected with the British Charter
/ ed South Africa company and the ID
E Beers Mines company. He has accom-
plshed his objects, and, hating inaction
: and not wishing to meet people or freei.
' express his views, has suddenly determin
/ cd to return to South Africa, where h
will watch the interests of these tw
companies.
. Mr.. Rhodes has absolutely refused t
8 be interviewed, though privately he ha
s expressed scathing comments on seyert
. of the generals still holding command
at the front.
e Lady Gatacre will be fellow passeI
o ger of Mr.. Rhodes. She is going as ia
II as Madeira to meet her husband, til
British general, who has been sent bac
to England.
l. A dispatch from Brandfort, Orane
1t Free State. says that General Dclare
at has returned from a reconnaissance
force east of the railroad to the Modd,
river He reports that he only met
few scouts, but he saw British fortihc
tions all along the hills.
The Gazette announces that the quet
n has conferred the Victoria cross an NJ
no jor William Babtic of the Army Medic
al corps for conspicuous bravery at the ba
lv tie of Colcnso.
~. Major Babtic went to the assistance
81 wounded gunncrs iii the face Of a hcn'
Iy rifle fire during the fighting Dee. IL NJ
;, later in the day assisted IN bringing
,,s Lieutenant Roberts, son of Lord lober
n. who lost his life while attempting to r'
he cue the guns, for which after his dea
;ts he was awarded the Victoria cross. I'll
,s latter feat of Major Babtc was also ;
vs. complishcd under severe fusilladc.