The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-20

~ IA q NSA iIN
days be in a position to begin the ad-
vance on Pretoria His deep political
intuition, combined with his bold
strategy, is having the result desired
in he southern sections Of the Orange
Free State, which are rapidly calm
ing down.
Mafeking is now the only point for
anxiety and as it is known that a
force has left Kimberley, it's relief
may be announced before many days
pass. The efficiency of the relieving
column is heightened by the fact that
ii is partly composed Of regulars.
1t is understood that all the CONT
mental powers. with one exception. I'M
compromisingly refused to intervene.
The exception is Russia, who's reply
was couched in less firm language. al
though, like the others, she declined
to interfere. 1t is said that the pope
was also appealed to, but that he de-
clined to do anything beyond writing
a letter to the queen, appealing to her
to stop the further ~effusion of blood
DR.. Leyds' efforts with King Leopold
were quite futile.
The possibility of the destruction of
Johannesburg is still discussed here.
but it is believed that the French and
German shareholders would offer a
strong protest.
The latest advices respecting the
surrender of Bloemfontein show that
the approach of the British caused a
stampede. Thirteen trains, each COM
posed of forty cars, and all crammed
with Beers, hurried northward just be-
fore the line was cut. Mr.. Steyn would
have beer compelled to surrender;
h,t Ha n-atan1n6 thor ha u-nC OninO tn
visit one of the outposts and at mid
night took a carriage which was wait
ing for him outside the town and thus
escaped. The Beers got the bulk of
their wagons and military stores away.
London, March 16.-Lord Roberts
success in handling the civil problems
at Bloemfontein and the manifest
equanimity with which the residents of
the capital of the Orange Free State
accept the British occupation momenta
rily eclipse in interest the military sit
uation. 1t is believed here hat the COM
mander-in-chief of the British forces
in South Africa will Don push on to
Pretoria, but Great Britain is quite
content to listen for a few days to the
acclamationS of the people of BlOem-
fontein and permit the troops to en-
| Joy a few days rest before expecting
further success.
Lord Roberts made a quaint speech
| 10 Cn6 SudTuS dI blOcIlIOIllclu lOudy
when, in his first congratulatory words,
he expressed pride in their splendid
march of thirty-eight miles in twenty
eight hours, and gave ample assurance
of his ultimate design.
Through a small mistake" said
Lord Roberts. Il have not been able
to march into Bloemfontein at the e
of the brigade, as 1 intended. I promise
you, however, that l will lead you into
Pretoria"
General Gatacre is holding Bethulie
and the whole line of the railroad
south of Bloemfontein is now in the
hands of the British, and, General Bra
pants column having crossed the
Orange river, after a forced march, at
Aliwalnorth on Sunday, and General
Clements column being across at
VanZyl, the three columns will form an
army of II, ZOO to 49, 900 men, which is
expected to replace the forces of Lord
Roberts at Bloemfontein as he pushes
~northward. Just where the Beers VIII
attempt to oppose hat march is an
important question, but it cannot be
easily answered until General Joubert
is more definitely located.
NEWS FROM MAFEKING.
Further news has reached the outside
world from Mafeking dated Friday,
March 9th, showing that, though the
garrison was in hard straits, they were
buoyed up by the knowledge that their
plucky fight was appreciated at home.
General Roberts reports that he
found seven British officers and forty
three men wounded in the hospital at
Bloemfontein and that they had been
we'll cared for. He adds: Il rejoiced
the wounded Beers by telling them
they will be allowed to proceed to
their homes, instead of being made
prisoners. as soon as they can leave
the hospital.
SAIL FOR ENGLAND.
Cape Town, March 16.-The British
first class cruiser Powerful, with the
naval brigade which has been operat-
ing against the Beers in South Africa,
sailed for England today.
jamestown, Cape Colony, March Is
There was much enthusiasm at Aliwal-
north when Genera Brabant'S troop
occupied the place. Commander Oil
vier, the Boer commander, ~apologized
for the action of the Beers during the
last days of the occupation, saying he
could not control his men.
ARMIES FACING EACH OTHE.
The British are now entrenched on
the Orange Free State side of the
Orange river, with the Beers holding an
advantageous hill in front of them.
General Brabant is greatly hampered,
owing to the ack of artillery, having
only two 15-pounders.
London, March 16.-It was officially
announced today that the British cas
ualties at Driefontein March 10th were
sixty-one men killed and 321 wounded.
BUTCHERS RECEPTION OF THE
BRITISH.
Bloemfontein, Tuesday, March 15.-
AS Lord Roberts was being conducted
to the town today by the deputatlon OF
officials who had cor out to meet him
he was greeted by great crowds OF PEG
pie cheering and waving handkerchief
and displaying the utmost enthusiasm
and cordiality.
Lord Roberts first entered the mar
ket square, thence proceeded TO tins
parliament house and from there to the
presidency, which he entered from tnt
front. The garden of the late presl
dents pretty house was instantly en-
tered by the crowd which broke GU
with tremendous energy into "Got
Save the Queen
Meanwhile Lord George Scott ben
Lady Roberts pretty Union Jack. will