Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-03-22
EVENTS IN AFRICA.
They Are Moving in Satisfactory
Manner to the British.
The OCCUPATION OF BLOENFONTEIy



tention to Flee Had Bsen known
Msssing ut warrenton.
London, March l6.-Eyents are mo,
ing in the South African campaign
in speedy and satisfactory manner
from both the military and politica
points of view. II could hardly hav
been expected by the most sanguin
Englishmen that they would take
turn so favorable. 1t appears tina
when Maj. Weston cut the railwa,
north of I5oemfontein he thereby in
tcrcepled ten. Joubert, who. far from
having retired from the campaign
was then coming southwark witt
a,OO( men, presumably to superintenc
the defense. Elaborate defense works
three miles long had been prepared
outside the town. The evidence goes
70 show that so far as the southern
part of the Free State is concerned
there will be no further resistance
II rs understood that Mr.. Fraser, Mr.
Vessels and other leaders are quite
prepared to accept the position Of a
sclCcoverning British colony.
Mr. Montagu Whites threat in an
American newspaper, that the Beers
will sacrifice Johannesburg and rae
il 10 the ground If necessary, is not
taken very seriously. Mr.. Chamber
lain's statement that President Kruger
has already been warned as to .he
consequence of such conduct is re-
gardcd as showing that sufficient pre-
caution has been taken. The Times
suggests that burghers should be
warned that their farms will be taxed
as Il guarantee against any damage to
British property, but no serious APP
prehensions are entertained of such
conduct as Mr.. White is said to have
foreshadowed.
The Occupatlon OF Blosmfontsin.
London, March l6.-The Standard
has the following dispatch from
Bloemrontein, dated March Is: The
civil authorities here definitely made
up their minds to surrender on Mon
day. A stormy meeting was held,
presided over by Mr.. Steyn, whom
Mr.. Frazer denounced as a coward
charging him with want of enough
moral courage to cope with the situa-
ton. The late president was, how
ever, not 10 be persuaded and when
the meeting broke up he left for the
north. The occupation was extremely
orderly and well managed. The spec
tacle was most impressive when the
Sixth division marched through in
grand style, notwithstanding that,
like the rest of the army, it had COW
cred 40 miles in u hours. Large num-
bers of the burghers are surrender
ing their arms Many have fled to
their homes. Others are trekking to
the east or to the north with their
cattle and goods. During the last few
days tine inhabitants of Bloemfontein
had gone in deadly fear of the vo-
lcnce OF the Transyaalers and conse-
1uently the city resembles rather a
relieved than captured town. Mr..
Vessels, president of the raad, has
gone to England to solicit public sym
oathy and to plead for the independ-
'ncc Of the Free State.
spenser Wilkinson's Comments.
LONDON, March l6,-Spenser Wilkin-
son, in the Morning Post, comment
ng upon the very satisfactory nature
If the occupation of Bloemfontein,
says: ."'rhe anticipation that the
loer resistance along the Orange river
would collapse on the British occnpa-
ion of the Free State capital seems
o have been realized. 1t will be in
ercsting to await the meeting and
perhaps the fight between the British
roops moving southwark on the rail-
way aud the retiring Beers. Looking
o the strength of Lord Roberts army |
~ the time he reaches Vaal river, it |
$ not surprising that Sir Charles
Narren's division is retained in Ma
al, IN advance of the two armies on
eparate lines will be quite the best
orm OF operations to crush the enc.
ny's forces and to bring about his
bsoutc submission. The Beers can
'ot longer afford to divide their
orces. Serious resistance in Natal
would enable Lord Roberts to cross
he Vaal and compromise the Boer
orce in Natal. Serious resistance at
or Ventersberg WOULD
nablc Gen, Butler to pass the noun.
aims and threaten the Boer communi.
atons."
President stsyn's Flight,
London, March 49, The Times pub
ishes the following from Bloemfon-
elm, dated Tuesday: Contempt for
he fight of the Free Staters is uni
crsal, many people asserting that
resident Steyn would have been shot
his intention to flee had been
nown. More harm has been done
he Dutch cause by the ignominious
than is conceivable and,
espite the statements OF the brother
{ Stcyn, it is doubtful that there
viii be any more resistance south Of