The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-28

The Daily News correspondent at
Springtontein wires under date of
March 81:
Seen. Gltacre is sweeping through
the country like a cyclone, with fying
columns in al directions. His swift
ness and strategy have proved of ines
Unable value to Lord Roberts. The
building of the railway bridge at Nor
wolf Pont will occupy two months.
The temporary bridge will be complet-
cd in about ten days. Meanwhile sup
plies are transported by an aerial tram
way across the gap. These works nee
essarily delay the providing of supplies
for the advance. Lord Methuen's
movements north of Kimberly are b9-
ieved to be prelude to the gatherin e
of column of 10000 men with Kim
berly as base to strike eastward from
Fourteen Streams into the Trausvlal."
A despatch to the Daily Mail from
Pretoria, dated Monday, March 10,
says: president Kruger returned
from Kroonetadt yesterday. He says
the fight in the Free State will be des-
perate. am informed that the Trans
vaal government has taFen no resolu-
ton to destroy mines or property as a
last resort"
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Telegraph Gays, under date OF March
81. 81 have Just arrived from Bloem-
fontein, where | learned that no fur
ther movement is probable for three
weeks, as negotiations are proceeding.
l failed to ascertain the nature of the
negotiations or whether Sir Alfred
Miners departure from Cape Town is
connected with them, but / should not
be surprised if the war collapsed quick
ly."
LoBATsT, March IS, delayed. Jon
March ID Col. Bodle recOnnoitered
toward Pitzlni, twenty miles south,
and found the place occupied by the
Beers. On the morning of the 18th
the Beers attacked the British left
flank, using Maxim guns, killing two
Britishers. The Beers also had a
twelve-pounder. The Boer attack al
most took the camp by surprise. They
pressed the camp closely, but finally
were repulsed. Lieut.. Tyler was killed
and Lieut.. Chapman captured. The
British right is protected by Bathcen, a
native chief, who warned the Beers
not to enter his territory. 1t is under
stood the Beers left only few men at
Mafeking, principally artilerists
LONDON, March 23.-Again there is
persistent rumor that Mafekiug has
been relieved. 1t is even asserted that
the war office has received q despatch
positively announcing the relief but
that publication of it is withheld be-
cause the form of the message admits
the possibility of mistake. The wal
office, however, declares that there il
no confirmation of the rumor and thai
no further news on the subject is al
hand.
No attention is paid in any quarter
to the wild Boer minors of Command
ant divers victory over Gen. Gatacre
which are only designed to relieve the
dropping spirits of the burghers.
1t seems certain that Mafeking';
only chances lie in relief by the col
umn supposed to be advancing from
the south or in the possibility that Col
Baden Powell is strong enough to at
tempt a sortie with view OF capturing
the Boer guns, at time when Com
mandant Snyman has Withdrawn his
men to oppose Col. Plumer's advance
1t is reported from Lourenzo Mar.
quez that Pretoria is prepared 10 stand
siege OF two years aud that the Boel
women, frantic at the reverses to the
Boer arms, are entreating to be allow
ed to shoot the British officers impris
oned at Pretoria.
Il is also announced from the Trans.
wal capital that the Italian govern
ment has declined to interfere.
A despatch received this morning
from Aliwal, Cape Colony, says: Com.
mandant Oliver left Smitblield two
hours before the British scouts arrived.
He only succeeded in inducing about
80 men to accompany I'm, mostly in
refuse to 90 with him and are return
ing to their farms.
The Times publishes a despatch from
Lorenzo Marquee and quotes President
Steyn as saving at Kroonstadt that the
Beers could continue the struggle six
months longer.
While the Beers and British in Or
ange Free State are taking advantage
of the period of inactivity to enjoy
those on the borders of Natal are be.
ginning to show activity. A special
from Durham says the town of Pome-
roy, 30 miles east OF Ladysmith, has
been burned by the Beers. The Brit
ish arrived at Pomeroy as the Beers
evacuated the place, aud sheled the
burghers but they succeeded in taking
up strong position in the hills with a
force estimated to number 5000 men,