The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-06

to Him From the Northward.
LONDON, April 9, a. m.-The war
| ofnce issued no news yesterday, and little
was allowed TO come through from the
correspondents at Bloemfontein. Accord
ing to the Standards representative there
is no sign that the Beers intend taking
| the offensive. Gen. Clements is so dis
| posing his forces to guard against any
surprise attack. which. although improb-
| able, Is evidently not regarded as impos-
sibe, judging from the preparations OF
Lord Roberts.
War once Censured.
AS usual. whenever there is any check
in the progress in the Boer campaign. the
war Office is being severely eensured for
falling TO maintain the necessary supplies
of remounts for the army. 1t is possible
Lord Roberts has difficulties other than
remounts with which to contend
Much anxiety is felt as TO the water sup
ply despite the statements capled home
that there Is no fear OF a water famine.
Delay Causes Di.satisfaction.
Whatever the reasons may be, consider
able dissatisfaction is beginning to be ex-
pressed here at the unaccountable delay,
both at Boemfonteln and in Natal, which
enables the Beers to recover from the de-
moralization caused by Lord Roberts for
mer rapid movements.
The enemy now evidently hope to retard
the advance by threatening the railway
beffnd Lord Roberta So far as the Natal
railways are concerned. repairs are being
mado beyond Elandslaagte, and ths idea,
SO often repeated, is that an advance is
imminent.
Beers Intrenching Well.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph from
Ladysmith says that the Boer investing
positions reveal immense strength, in
genious construction and immunity from
the British shrapnell and lyddite FIRE.
Oxen Have Lung Disease.
dispatch from Ladysmith to the Daily
Chronicle gives serious news OF the out
break of the deadly lung sickness among
the oxen. which, II II spreads, is likely to
cripple Gen. Buffers operations
From Lourenzo Marquee comes the re-
port that Mr.. Steyn has been appointed
commandant of the Free State forces
PIumer VIII he Reinforced.
<AlAhphAh W. tAAiiiti II reported To nave
gotten within six miles OF Mafeking. it is
evident that the siege had not been raised
on April /. Toward the end Of this month
Col Plumer will be reinforced by tho
troops now going by way or Belra so that
relief cannot be far distant.
Communications Threatened.
Detached bodies of Boer horse. number
ing from 500 to 600 each have appeared at
several places 20 the south and eastward
OF Blocmfontein. threatening the railroad.
but communication by wire and rail is
not IN the least affected Oua OF these
forces is near East springfoutein. on the
BlOemfontein railroad. and Gen. Gatacre's
forces are reported 10 be about to en-
gage g. Lord Roberts except to safeguard
the railroad seemingly declines TO send
columns chasing the Bocr bands. lie is
reserying bis cavalry and transport ami
mails for the forward march.
Lacks Horses for Rcmounts.
Explanation at the war office as TO why
Roberts is inactive Is that there has been
a lack OF horses for remounts. but new
horses are arriving by tralHl0ads hourly.
The pressure on the railroad n 40 great
that private parcels and the officers news
papers have not been forwarded from
Cape Town for three weeks.
The situation Ia the Free state remains
far from clear and Is unsatlsfactory TO
British observers
The sickness among the Hoer prisoners
at simoastown continues Co increaae.
Canadians TO the Front
A dispatch from Cape Tcwu da.es yes
terday announces the departure Tor the
front of tho second contingent Of Canadian
mounted Infantry
Rudyard kipiing has returned 70 Cape
Town
Fighttns Near NsfektnE.
\ special from LourenEo Marquee saws
sharp ashting occurred April In the
ncighborhooa OF MAfeking Ths garrison
made a sortie. while Col Pluner's cav
ARR attacked the Beers at RanAthlaba-
ma Both attacks were rePulsed Tyen-
Is Of Col. PIumef men were found dead
on the fields and six others were made
prisoners. The federal losses we're small.
Piamer's Daring March.
GABERON rs. Bechuanaland. March
&-CoL Plumer. with "a force OF British
mounted infantry, started on daring
march Sunday. March ., with the object
OF threatening the Boeg lines Of com
municatior- After two rapid niEat
marches through TrAnsvaAl territory.
they arrived at dawn on March e within
twelve miles OF ZeeruS; ana s-s9no1y