Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-03-27
REPORT NOT CONFIRMED.
Story that Gatacre is a Prisoner
in Hands of Beers.
PLUMER FALLS BACK
Indications that Relief Of Mafeking
is Now Further Away
than Ever.

London. March 23.-6:55 p. Mac
cording to special dispatch from Cape
Town, dated today, Gen. French's caval-
~ brigade is fighting eastward of Bleem-
fonteiE.
1t was announced in dispatch to the
Associated press from Bloemfontein last
night that Gen. French with brigade
Of cavalry and mounted infantry had ar
rived at Thabanchu, east of Bloemfon-
ten, and about halfway between that
place and Lady brand on the frontier Of
Basutoland, and had opened photographic
communication with Maseru, the chief
town of Basutoland. 1t was added thak
he reported all we'll But the position
taken by Gen. French would indicate
that his instructions were TO intercept
the Boer forces which have been operat-
ing against the British troops under Gen.
Gatacre and which are understood TO be
in retreat from Bethulie. Rockville and
other places III the southern part OF the
Orange Free State.
London March 23.-It is officially an
nounced that the Delagoa bay award
will be given Monday next, March 70.
Bloemfontein. March 23.-Gen. French
with brigade Of cavalry and mounted
infantry has arrived at .Thabanchu and
opened photographic communication with
MaSeru. He reports all well.
New York, March pa dispatch to
the Tribune from London March %, e
a. M. says: No confirmation has been
received Of Il very sensational rumor en-
anating from the Boer camp at kreon-
stadt that Gen. Gatacre and his stan,
with number Of guns. have been cap
tured by Commandant Olivier. As mat
+1lor
fontein shows the British general to have
been there at date later than that of
his alleged capture.
Not Worried Over Gatacre.
London, March 23.-The Boer reports
of the capture OF Gen. Gatacre and bis
staff excite less uneasinesS than they
would if they emanated officially from
Pretoria The British have learned to
respect Boer official reports, but upof-
fetal stories from that side have been
frequently disproved.
One report from Kroonstadt. however,
claims TO have official confirmation OF a
rumor that Commandment Olivier has de
feated the British. though it does not
mention the capture of Gen. Gatacre and
his staff. The war office denies knowl-
edge Of disaster to the British IN any
form, and against the story, which was
first started on Monday. may be set a
dispatch to the Daily News from Spring
and his staff were still there on Wednes-
day.
Little known of Arzny's Strength.
Little is known of the strength and
nothing of the plans of the Boer army
at kroOnStadt. The correspondent of the
Morning Post at Bl0emfOntein reports
the arrival there of a deserter, who says
that the withdrawal of the Beers from
Brandfort was the outcome of repeated
diSSeusienS The deSerter does not think
that the Beers will even make Il stand ut
Kroonstadr, or anywhere south of the
Vaal river, owing to the desire of the
Transyaalers to defend themselves on
their own territory after the refusal OF
the Free Staters TO fight at Blocmfontein.
The correspondent discredts the view of
the deSerter.
Boer Council of War.
It is said that a council of war on Sat
urday preceded the issuing of the presi-
dental declaration at kroonStaGt. Presi-
dents Kruger and Steyn and Gems. Jou-
bert. De Wet. Delarcy, and others re-
solved TO continue the war to the end.
In a subsequent address to the burghers
President Steyn based an appeal to his
hearers not to despair on the assertion
that the total Boer losses hitherto had
been only about 900, while the British
newspapers admitted that the British
had lost 6400 Gen. Joubert, in Il speech,
urged unity among the Beers. He in
stanced Ireland's woes us the result Of
diSunion.