Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-06
and onward up the line, can have one
object only

and onward up the line, can have one
object only
There are, doubtless, scattered COM
mandos of Beers who used to be Spyt-
fonten and around Diamond City in
this direction. but the ultimate reason
for the expedition is, without doubt,
the relief of Mafeking by active CO.
operation with Col. Plumer.
1T is not to be expected that any
stirring news will be received from Lord
Roberts army for a few days to come.
So far as can be judged, the situation
in the neighborhood of the Modder river
is unguarded the British camp being still
at Osfontein, a few miles southeast OF
Paardeberg, and the Beers occupying a
position extending about eighteen miles,
1T may be assumed, as the Beers left
rests on some kopjes not far from Os-
fontein and their right on the river.
This army, roughly estimated at from
1000 to 5000, extends in some sort of
thin formation as far as .Abraham's
kraal about seventeen miles east of
l<oodoosrand They can hardly have
|any serious intention of disputlng Rob
ert's advance for their numbers are
not sufficient for such a purpose, but
they obviously hope to delay matters
and give time for Joubert to collect
forces from northern Natal and else
iwhere to make Il stand either at Brand
| fort or Wnburg. north of Bloemfontein.8
French was skirmishing on Saturday
| last With a party of Beers trekking in
| a northwesterly direction, a fact which
lseems to preve that Dearey and Dewct
| are not going to intrench themselves at
| Osfontein. or even Abrahams kraal
/ beyond what the immediate occasion
requires. In the north of Cape Colony
/ all three generals have been showing
lmany signs of activity Gatacre re-
ports that the numbers of Beers are
| palpably dwindled. Stormberg is a
strong position, which they seem 'oath
/ to abandon. but both in the east and
west the British are driving the Beers
before them with steady pertinacity.
Brabant has secured Labuschhagne's
4 mex. after III stiff fight. while Clements,
on the west. has not only occupied Ach-
lterang, but is apparently molesting the
lretreating Beers at Norval's pont. 1t
\ would seem that the wagon bridge
north Of Colesberg is In the hands of ths
British troops.
Natal save that no Beers seem to bs
found within radius of thirty miles Of
lLadysmith.
The opinion is expressed regarding
4 Abraham's kraal as possible point foi
Boer resistance against Roberts army
sIthat the place is not ideal and has IL:
Il drawbacks. 1t enables the tianks to bs
covered by a comparatively small fore
Dut can be readily turned by eithel
4 cavalry or infantry. and the plain coun
ltry behind it, as well as its communica
tions can be swept, but if Well provis
lioned itgmay prove veritable foltres
and may not be quite SO rapidly eithe
assaiIed or invested as some imagine.
1t is doubted whether French ha
lcavalry enough. even With all that ]
Iyetto be brought over from the Orang
river. to force to a fight five On 81
mobile commands operating in com
bination with a fixed position. 50 lon
: as these bodies have supply bases o
the railway for their limited needs Q
. food.
: In%other words Roberts will prob
!. ably have 10 strike at the railway IA
:. lbehind Abraham $ kraal, and If he doe
= he Will have to take exceeding care q
This own communications with the Kim
, berley railway. and even those of th
Diamond City as far as the OranS
river.
The problem. presupposlng the cond
:, tions mentioned, is not an easy one, bl
il does not look by any means inpos
sible
Vague rumors are current in polite;
circles here to the effect that the MAJ
u auis of Salisbury may resign the pr,
lmiership as a result Of the South Afr
can war. The report. however, is III
n supported by anything tangible or def
I mite. a government official who is
ID touch with the higher political circl,
: said:
Se II am not aware of any reason tn:
I, should lead us to credit the rumor tn;
n. Lord Salisburys desires to resign. i
7 is popular with his party. a great Fl
~ vorite of the queen and altogether {
II excellent guide for the nation in
"a present difficulties. He is still in Il
OF full possession of remarkable nlent
r powers and is even more alert no
20 than he was a year ago, when the !
le ness OF his wife weighed heavily on h
ne mind and he was exhausted physical
ae "It is true that there has been a ge
eral impression for some time that
n would retire, but as that has hithci
ne proved unfounded it is unreasonable
III think that he would take such a st
y at present. There is no lack of ha
mony between himself and Nh. Char
berlain, such as would bet likely
i. precipitate ministerial changes. and
= Lord Salisbury We're to resign \
: Chamberlain would be likely to get I
- premiership. l would not be surpris
no If Lord Lansdowne, Sir Michael Hicl
i, Beach and possibly other members
- the present cabinet We're 10 retire.
I'm my opinion Lord Rosebery is c
"a of the running for the premiership
-er present.
cir WILL HOLD 100000 POUNDS.
,w Great Wool Ware House TO BE Ere'
IN ed mt Belle Fourche.
lin Belle Fourche. S. d.. March 6.-Wt
,en on the new wool warehouse which is
Ige be erected in this city by the Norths
EN-. Black Hills Cooperative Sheep AS
ON. citation Will commence just as soon
letp material can be obtained. a. III. Nj
lat BILE. chairman of the finance commit