Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-09
tBy Telegraph to Yirglnian.plloto

(By Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot)
London. May S.-The following dis
patch from Lord Roberts has been re-
ceived at the War Office:
"Smaldeel, May THE railway from
Brandfort to this place has been con-
siderably damaged, and the bridge over
the Vet river has been hopelessly dam
aged. This delays supplies coming up.
Every few yards charges of rackarock
have been laid under the rails. This
might have created loss of life, but was
fortunately discovered by a West Au-
stralian infantryman. Winburg has
been occupied by the Highlander bril-
gade."
BRITISH ADVANCE GOES ON.
In spite of these wrecked railroads
the British advance goes on steadily.
Lord Roberts outposts are apparently
about IL miles north of Smalldeel, Gen
eral Brabant has Joined General Rumble
at Thaba N'Chu. whence they are NOV
Ing forward. The country Is all quiet
I'm that direction. A reconnais sance
made by General Rumble, OF the Beers
recent positions at Thaba N'Chu result
ed in their being pronounced impreg-
nable, and their evacuation Is reported
to have been due to the receipt of an
urgent message from President Steyn.
The Beers are said to borrowing north
ward, but their immediate destination
Is not known.
WHERE IS GENERAL FRENCH?
The whereabouts OF the British cav
airy under General French is still Il
mystery. while General Kclly-Kenny's
and General Chermside's divisions are
also unaccOunted for
A dispatch from Cape Town, dated
to-day says:
Lord Roberts phenomenal advance
Is not only utterly demoralizing the
Beers. but is striking terror into the
rebel colopistS.
The relief OF A1afehing Is expected
ut any moment"
SITUATION AT MAFEKING.
The Cape Town correspondent is
slightly optimistic as regards Mafe-
king. Judging from the direct dis
Mafeking are still nearly 200 miles from
their objective, while the latest adj
vices from Aiafeliing Itself dated April
80 shows little amclioration in the con-
ditions there. The dispatches say:
with the exception of a little rife
fire at the outlying trenches everything
Is quiet. The slight epidemic of typ
hold is abating -reslllt of the medi-
cal precautions. The enemy's artillery
with tho exception of two 5-pounders
mas apparently been withdrawn.
1T was learned April "a that the
enemy intended to attack and the en-
tire garrison stood to its arms. When
day broke Colonel Baden Powell took
up position on the lookout and the
heavy rattle of musketry and the boom
OF TOUR guns convinced us that an at
tack was about to occur But I. he
came apparent that the Boer officers
could not persuade their men to adj
vance. Through glasses we saw the
oiicers valniy urging the infantry for
ward. The enemy reformed and re-
tired. Our men fired a shot in the hone
of inducing the enemy to come to close
quarters.
THE native distress has been ale
waited. many of them slipping through
the lines. -
THE men of the garrison forego their
sugar ration for the benefit of the
women and children
After the bombardment, April "a all
was comparatively quiet.
HORSE DINNERS.
THE besieged are celebrating tho
200th day of the Siege with horse din
ners. and Colonel Baden Powell sent =
message to Lord Roberts. saying:
After two hundred days of siepa r
desire TO bring to your lordship's no.
tice the exceptionally good spirit of
loyalty which pervades all classes Of
the garrison and the patience of evprv-
body at Mafeking in making the best
Of things under the long strain of AMI
ETY.. hardshps and privations. which
Is beyond all praise and a revelation to
me- The men, nalf OF whom are not NC
customed to the Use of arms. hova
adapted themselves 10 their duties Win
the greatest zeal and readiness. The
pluck and devotion OF the women have
been remarkable With such spirits our
organization runs like clockwork. 7
have every hope it will pull us
through"
RETURN OF CECIL RHODES.
Mr.. Cecil Rhodes has arrived at Cape
Town without any demonstration be-
Ing made. He goes 10 Beira. Portuguese,
East Africa and thence to RhodesIa
probably visiting General Sir Frederick
Darlington.
1t Is announced that no more Boer
prisoners will be sent to st. Helena.
A COLORED AMERICAN.
A special dispatch from Lourenzo
MARQUES says the colored American
citizen named Richards who was COM
mitted for trial by the special court on
the. charge of murder In connection
with the explosion at Begbie's Works,