The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-16
MAFEKlNG MAY HAVE FALLEN.
NO DOUBT THERE HAS BEEN HARD
FIGHTING THERE.

Reach Pretoria - London Papers
Criticize Reception of BOcr En-
vOys at New York.
London, May 16. 4;s0 a. m.-"Food will
last until about June TO-" is the last off,
cal word from Col. Buden-Powell, the
British commander at Mafeking, sent to
Lord Roberts under date of May Z. Five
days later the Beers attempted TO storm
the town, and it is possible that they sue
ceeded, although nothing is known of the
attack or of its results except through
Pretoria sources, which have no counte-
nance here.
The British relief column is due there
now. Ten days ago Gen. Snyman was
having difficulty In keeping the burghers
together, owing to the approach of the
British, and when the last Associated
Press dispatch left Mafeking on May Z,
the Beers had killed, on the previous day,
one of the horse guards, and had captured
several of Col. Baden Powe.fs few re-
meining horses.
Maj. F. D. Baillie has sent to the Morn
ing Post, from Mafeklng, under date of
May 7, this message;
This morning the Beers attacked us.
Result as usual. There is an aching void
here. Pass the loaf"
The Transvaal army has taken a posi-
ton at Blaauwba schdoort pass, near He'll
bron road station, fifty miles north of
Kroonstad. Its read guard is still hold
ing the hills north of the Valsch river,
while the Beer scouts are in touch with
British reconnoitering parties, twenty
miles north of Kroonstad
viii Hold Harrismith.
The Beers held a council of war at
Lindley and British spies have learned
that the Boen decided TO hold Harri-
smith as long as possible.
Lord Roberts infantry Is still at Kroon-
stad The railroad laborers are hard at
work and the engineers hope to have the
line repaired within three days.
The prairie has put on a russet winter
coat The nights are bitterly cold but
the days are hot.
The Free Staters are surrendering In
larger numbers than after the oceupa-
ton of Bloemfontein. one officer of the
Transvaal artillery said:
There will bo no serious fighting this
side of Pretoria, as Bereeninging, on the
Vaal, is indefensible. Heavy guns are be-
ing mounted at Pretoria, but Gems. Botha
and Limmer are agreed that ultimate sue
cess is impossible. President Kruger is
obstinate and a majority of the Trans
VaalerS hold firmly with him.
1t Is estimated that the Transvaalers can
still muster $1,000 men on the fighting
line.
Gen. Buffers Operations.
Gen. Buffers advance, as his telegram
indicates, was by the instructions Of Lord
Roberts and 1t viii cease or go forward as
Lord Roberts may direct Certain oom-
mentators affiliated with the war office
say that Gen. Buffers orders to keep the
by an order TO drive them completely out
of Natal and then 10 move on Harrismith
Cen RundIe and Gen. Brabant are taxi
irg possession Of the wide region around
Ladybrand almost without opposition.
They find the country plentifully supplied
with cattle, horses, feed and flour Gen.
Rumble Is reducing his transport and feed
ing his men and animals largely off the
country.
The Beers In that quarter surrender
daily, and 1t is the expectation of the cor
respondents on the spot that the eastern
section of the Free Slate will coon be as
tranquil as the western. Gen. Rundles
front is thirty miles long; but his forces
are so disposed that II any point should
be attacked, the troops there could be
quickly reinforced.
Cannot See the End.
Lord Roberts in answer to a correspond
ent telegraphed Monday:
'It Il impossible at present to predict
when the campaign may end"
The view of the other side is reported
by a correspondent to whom President
Steyn said
''Sooner than leave this country 70 fall
into the hands Of the British would de-
stroy all OF our houses and leave Il a
desert"
The relations between the Transvaal and
the Portuguese appear to be strained. The
Portuguese consul at Pretoria according
40 reports from Lisbon has been ordered
by President K;uger to leave the coun-
try. The Portuguese declaration making
food and clothing ccntraband has nearly
Destroyed tho usefulness of Delagoa bay
to the Transyaal.
Senor Joaquin Machado, governor gen
eral of Portuguese Eltt Africa is being
enter aimed at Belra, ard the British Of
ficcrs who are passing through are show
ing him court es. The Li-btn cabinet is
Understood 20 count en- British protection
in the event of Boer aggression.
All the morning papers give long ac-
counts Of the reception Of the Boer en-
voys in New York. The Chronicle editor
tally says the meanest English town would
rot have cheered Spanish delegation
during our war or given 1t the clty's free
dem.
Fighting Mt MnfeIrinE.
A dispatch 90 the Daily Mall from Lo-
renzo Marquee, dated Tuesday, says:
There is now no doubt that there was
desperate fighting at Mafeklng Saturday
but It Is believed TO have gone In favor
of the garrison. All that can be ascer-
tained of a reliable character follows:
"The Beers, using artillery, attacked
the town Saturday. Very soon the Kaf-
fir location was inhamed. some say as
the result of shell fire. others as the re-
suit OF treachery. Fighting al close quar-
ters became general. and, In the midst
Of the confusion the Beers gained posses
sion of the Kafhr location, from which
point of vantage they brough. guns to
bear on the town at close range.
''By an adroit move, the garrison de-
spite It's attenuated numbers. succeeded
In actually surrounding the party Of Beers
who had captured the Kafflr location.
Severe fighting followed, but, according
10 the latest reports. the Beers stlll told
the location. In which they are probably
surrounded.
"The truth is, l believe. that the Pre-
torla authorities. knowing of the progress
OF the relief column. gave orders. TO Gen.
enyman 70 storm the place. AS soon as
49, in.atton xyag In flames H0pr buiiotina