New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-13
KRTEGER'S STRANGEAPPEAL
REMARKABLE LETTER OF BOER PRESI-
DENT SATURDAYS FIGHT.
IC77yr,eht- 1890. by The New-York Tribune.I
IRv rAnLE 70 TIE TRIRrNE

DENT-SATURDAY'S FIGHT
TC17y-Rht Ia00: by The New-Eorl Tribune.
IBr CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE-l
London. March I3. 10 g. MIR Balfour's an
nouncement in answer 10 yesterdays question
OF the hour in the House Of Commons, that the
papers would speedily be laid before the House
OF the subject 0f the proposals for peace had
more behind il than apparent on the sur
face i IS probable that most remarkable let
Ter from President Kriiger will be brought 10
llght within forry-eight hours. The Tines
published IN afternoon edition yesterday the
statement that an Executive council was held
Al Pretoria soon after ms return from the visit
to the Free State. The sequel to that council
Eas not related but I have strong reasons for
believing that al the close Of that council he
sent a dispatch 10 London. where Il was re-
teived by Lord Salisbury on Saturday and read
By the Queen before her departure for Windsor
There may have been previous dispatches put
but as feeers in which Presidents Kriiger and
Eteyn asked the Prime Minister for terms Of
peace. buS Saturday, appeal from 8Tr KRUGER
: was remarkable both in manner and matter.
! an informed On trustworthy authority that the
I language of this document fairly puisates with
religious fervor. and that the appeal for peace
Is made in solemn phrases, such as IN the name
Of the Trtune Cod" IN any event. an extraordi-
cary communication has been received from
Pretoria. unless my Information be seriously at
tault and the Cabinet has considered II and de-
haed that an answer must be made TO it. The
correspondence, when published to-day or to-
morrow, VIII include this dispatch from
President Kriger and a declaration Of the Gov
trnment's policy respecting the future Of South
africa
Il is not improbable that the Ministers are
Awaiting the occupation Of BIoemfonten before
stating the conditions under which proposals for
peace VIII be considered, and their declaration
q policy when published. is more likely TO
Describe the conditions under which peace can
hot be made than II is TO formulate bases for a
settlement of the South African complications
CLOSING IN ON THE CAPITAL.
Lord Ro5ertss message. dated at an early
eour On Monday. announced that another stage
u he march toward Bloemfontein has been
passed His headquarters were within twenty
Or twenty-five miles Of the capital, Aasvogel
Aop being on the outer rim OF the amphitheatre
U nils surrounding the city. TWO days march
would suffice % bring Lord Roberts's infantry
outside The city unless final stand were made
0y the Free State forces or the Level plain where
Aey could easily be dispersed. The military
writer's are expecting TO hear tIdings Of the fall
|" Bioemtontein either tonight or tomorrow
0fenoon- as the conditions OF the ground seem
0hiaForabie for a Dutch defence.
There are fresh accounts Of Saturdays en-
ssgement with details OF the white flag outrage
which fell under Lord Roberts's own eyes, and
mere Is also evidence that the Dutch. with the
eSae dexiblty shown in their battles with Sir
SedTsrs Butler and Lord Methuen. are attempt
le 70 adapt themselves TO Lord Roberts's tao
ucs Their long, thin line. which had been
erTf
EASILY turned al Poplar Grove but when the
cavalry sought 20 flank their positions at Drei-
.oh'ein the mounted burghers moved with the
-shoers and kept up with them. and the bat
'sllns Of Infantry finally were forced to attack
Z me centre. Every fresh account of the battle
D7ars testimony 10 the seriousness Of the fight
* and the gallantry with which the Dutch
'lces held their ground until nightfall. The
uses on the British side We're heavier than the
--s' estimates Indicated. Lord Roberts con-
@laed the press reports Of the arrival of Cen
@N Gatacre's advanced guard at Bethulie
were the bridge was destroyed and the rear
e-sto Of the enemy was held on the opposite
4aaK Of The Orange River. AS reinforcements
ae already moving from Durham 10 East Lon
-'A General White VIII be enabled 10 order an
~Nehce into the Free State soon after he
-eSeaes the Orange River. The reported retreat
armed 0''' IN
-VhD KITCHENER AT KIMBERLEY.
-ae presence Of Lord Kitchener in Kim
es e&eites much comment in military cir
' anc is explained IN various ways one
SUI assigned FOR II is the necessity FOR the
APP restoration of order IL the Poor White"
49, around Prieska, where the City Imperial
ests nave been under fire. Another ex-
Is
a., -'=king and stu another is the excep-
Vs., 11i.lcalty Of organizing the transport SER
p --otd Robertss army Of fifty thousand
sv.e 'iu Kitchener is reported 10 have made
svs, Al'e changes in the service. abolishing the
g. q separate regtmental transport and
Ar-,.e Aea'1burning ard commotion in the
ehar.. .'Nlce Corps by putting new men in
1he work He is also experimenting