The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-16
And to Have Been Surrounded by the
British. Who Lost Heavily
I'm the Fight.
GENERAL BULLER AT DUNDEE
BOERs QUITTING NATAL AND CON-
GENERATING ON THE vAAL.
TransvaaI Army Now Fifty Miles
North of kroonstad-Harrism to
BE Held as Long as Possible.

LONDON. May 1s. 4:30 a. m.-"Food will
last until about June TO-" is the last official
word from Colonel Baden-Powell, the
British commander at Mafeking, sent to
Lord Roberts under date of May T. Five
days later the Beers attempted to storm
the town and 1t is possible that they sue
ceeded. although nothing is known of the
attack or its results except through Pre-
toria sources. which have no countenance
here. The British relief column is due
there now. Ten days ago General Snyman
was having difficulty in keeping the burgh-
ers together. owing to the approach Of the
British. and when the last Associated Press
dispatch left Mafeking. on May Z. the
Beers had killed. on the previous day. one
of the horse guards and had captured
several OF Baden-Poweil's remaining
horses. Major Bailey has sent to the
Morning Post from Mafeking under date
of May a. this message: This morning
the Beers attacked. Result as usual
1AcAc ~ oh ACHING 'oiu Aere. dsS the
loaf"
The Transvaal army has taken position
at Blaauwbaschdoort pass near -Heilbron
road station, fifty miles north of Kroon-
stad- Its rear guard is still holding the
hills north of the Yalsch river, while the
Boer scouts are in touch with British re-
connoitering, twenty miles north of Kroon-
stad. The Beers have held a council of
war at Lindley. and spies learned that the
Beers decided to hold Harrismith as long
as possible Lord Roberts's infantry are
still at Kroonstad. The railway laborers
are hard at work. and the engineers hope
to have the line repaired within three days
The prairie has on its russet winter coat.
The nights are bitterly cold, but the days
are hot.
The Free Staters are surrendering in
larger numbers than after the occupation
OF Bloemfontein. One officer of the Trans
vaal artillery says: There will be no Sc
rious fighting this side of Pretoria, as Ber-
eniging, on the vaal. is indefensible. Heavy
guns are being mounted at Pretoria. But
Generals Botha and Limmer are agreed
that ultimate success is impossible. Presi-
dent Kruger Is obstinate, and a majority
of the Transvaalers hold firmly with him."
1t is estimated that the Transvaalers can
still muster thirty thousand men on the
fghting line.
General Buffers advance, as his tele-
grams indicate. by the instructions of
Lord Roberts and 1t will cease or go for
ward as Lord Roberts may direct. Certain
commentators affiliated TO the War Office
say that General Buffers orders to keep
the Beers employed. have been supple
mented by an order TO drive them COM
rletely out Of Natal and then to move on
Harrismith.
General Rundle and General Brabant are
taking possession of the wide regions
around Ladybrand almost without opposi-
tion- They find the country plentifully sup
piled with cattle. horse feed and -four They
are reducing their transports and feeding
their men and animals off the country. The
Beers In that quarter surrender daily and
IL is the expectation of the correspondents
on the spot that the eastern section of
the Free State viii soon be as tranquil
as the western. General Rundle's front is
thirty miles long. but his forces are dis
posed so that If any point should be at
tackled the troops there could be quickly
Itl4lOENcu
Lord Roberts contributes a line in the
discussion as TO when the war will end by
the following telegram. dated Monday. and
sent through a correspondent who had
made the direct inquiry: II regret that 1
cannot give any reply to your question. as
II Is impossible at present to predict when
the campaign may end
The view OF the other side is reported by
a correspondent to whom President Steyn
said: Sooner than leave this country to
fall into the hands OF the British 1 would
destroy all our houses and leave 1t des-
ert."
The relations between the Transvaal and
the Portuguese appear 10 be strained. The
Portuguese consul ar Pretoria, according
to reports from Lisbon. has been ordered
by President Kruger to leave the country.
The Portuguese declaration making food
anc clothing contraband has nearly de-
stroyed the usefulness OF Delagoa bay TO
the TransvaaI.
senor Joaquin Machado. governor gem
eral OF Portuguese East Africa, is being
entertained at Beirra. and the British Of