The Van Buren press., 1900-05-05
IS DIFFICULT I0 UNRAVEL.
The War Situation in South Africa
Keeps the Correspondents
and Experts Guessing.
The BRITISH FORCES ARE ON The MOVE,

The BRITISH FORCES ARE ON The MOVE,
Every Prospect of Sharp Fighting in
the vicinity of Thabn N'Chu, Gen
Botha Having Been Reinforccd--
Opinion Prevails at Biormfontein
That War VIII Soon End.
London May at is difficult to un'
ravel the tangled stories coming from
the neighborhood Of Thaba N'Chu, but
apparently the British forces are en-
gagged in a movement having for its
object the hemming in of the Beers
still in that district. While Generals
French and Rumble are holding the
Beers at Thaba N'Chu, Gen. Broad
woods cavalry has been pushed on
Hout nek, in the hope of intercepting
the federal conveys between Lady
brand and Winburg. AS Gen. Botha
has been reinforced, there is every
prospect OF Snarp HSHtlnR'
New Scene of Operations.
The new scene of operations and the
general movements of the various coli
umns are taken to indicate that Lord
Roberts is deploring his army prepa-
ratory to beginning his northern
march. 1t now seems likely that it is
the ommander-in.chief's intention to
advance simultaneously from Kimber-
ley, Bloemfontein and Ladysmith, with
the view of preventing the Beers from
concentrating their forces at any Civ
en- point.
A Prevailing Opinion.
A dispatch from Bloemfontein, dat
ed Tuesday, chronicles the prevailing
opinion among the townspeople there
that the war is not likely to last more
than six weeks, once the British ad-
vance begins, but adds that the cor
respondent has been unable to dis
cover any ground for this opinion, be-
yond the fact that Gen. Darlington
has arrived at the Marandellas base,
whence u flying column will be dis
patched in a direction not made pub.
lie.
Kruger's Proclamation.
A dispatch from Pretoria gives the
text of President Kruger's ploclama-
ton expelling British subjects from
the 1ransyaal. 1t says:
AS numerous burghers insist on
the removal OF the British, and as the
government is desirous of complying
with the wishes Of the burghers and
others favorable to the republic, all
Brtshers residing in the district and
town of Pretoria, and the Witwaters
Rand gold fields must leave the state
within 36 hours from noon, April 80.
Exception will be made in the case Of
those obtaining special permits"
Gen. HnmiIton's Casualties.
lord Roberts forwards list OF the
casualties of Gen. Ian Hamilton 5
force, April 30, as follows:
Killed-Maj. Showers, Lieut.. Parker
and one private.
Woundcd-Four officers and five
men.
Missing-Two officers and ten men.
A dispatch from Mafeking dcscrib-
ing the Roer attack of April H. says:
Hottest of the Siege.
"1he bombardmcnt Of the Creuso,s
was the hottest of 'he siege Many
shells entered the hospital and wom-
ans lager, Under cover Of the artil-
lery large force commanded by
Cronje (the younger), including the
German corps, advanced close to Fort
Abrams. The garrison laid low until
the Boer force was at close range,
when they fired volley, killed hve,
wounded many and the attack wos
repulsed The bombardmcnt then
ceased. The Beers, under Red Cross
flag, later, were permitted to recover
their dead"
The Powerful's Naval brigade.
Windsor is in holiday attire, and
decorated from end to end in honor
of the naval brigade Of the British
cruiser Powerful, which assisted in The
defense Of Ladysmith, The naval men
We're summoned TO the castle TO be In.
spee,ed by the queen. The band OF
the Grenadier guards met the naval
brigade at the railroad station and
played them to the castle through
cheering throngs Of people,
Inspected ny the Queen.
The inspection occurred In the quad
rnnqle and was witnessed by the duke
Of York, and other members of the
royal family, and a number OF high
naval and military officers Her ma
csty drove down the line of the blue
jackets, who then advanced and gave
three cheers for the queen. Capt
Lambton OF the Powerful, and the OIL
GERS Of that vessel were afterwards
presented to her majesty, whc
thanked Capt. Lambton and the brl
gade for their noble services to III,
empire.
Ready 20 10 More.
The captain replied that what they
had done was nothing TO what ,h,
navy was prepared to do for hei
majesty.
The queen some time af,crward,
saw the blue jackets entertained at
dinner.