New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
N4FEKING'.S FATE IN DOUBT
sryoRs OF TOWNS RELIEF AND CAPT
rRE-MANY VOLUNTEERS.

URE-MANY VOLUNTEERS.
toopsr.gh,: 1890. ey The New-York Tr1bunel
ley CABLE TO TIE TRIRUNEl
rorson. March II. ] a m.-Mafeking has been
alternately relieved and captured by the rumor-
paongers during The last tweuty-four hours. The
Var Office failed 20 confirm the first story, and
was silent respecting the second report which
vas current among the brokers offices and the
steamship agencies. and which stated TO be
based on private dispatches from Cape Town.
The only nope Of the towns immediate relief
lay in Colonel Plumer's strenuous efforts to
reach the beleaguered town from the north, but
his force was neither strong enough for the
work. Tor sufficiently supplied with food and
medical stores.
General Snynan commands the Boer army
which has been harsssing the garrison with
continuous fire during the later stage OF the
sege. and he has been reinforced by a portion
Of Du Toics comnandoes. which retreated from
Kimberley Du Tolt himself has halted at Four
teen Streams where he protects the railway
crossing over the yaal River. less than fifty
niles north of Kimberley. and about one-quar-
fsr OF the distance 70 Mafeking. Lord Kitch-
tner's visit 10 Kimberley on Friday is believed to
be connected with arrangements for expediting
The relief column, but there is no definite in
formation
There were many peace runlors yesterday. but
little Importance was attached 10 them by those
IN touch with official circles here II was con-
fdered probable that Presidents Kriiger and
sieyn would open negotiations at an early day
Il they had not already done so, but the sin
oerity Of their motives was doubted II would
clearly be 10 their advantage TO draw from the
British Government distinct refusal TO consider
any basis Of settlement which would leave the
'Ro Dutch States in any other condition than
mai OF dependence upon the Crown. They could
hen be in a better position for appealing to
european sympathy and for rallying their own
Oufgners for a defence against a war of con-
ousst
SENTIMENT IN ENGLAND
whatever opinions may be held abroad, there
-NH De no doubt respecting public sentiment
e Inc present Government could not stand
ens-lour hours if it We're TO make peace on
Ae oasis Of the political independence Of the
tNO republics. Tht Dutch have fought well. but
As' cannot hope to obtain independence with
..O'0f1es 10 the field They have not reached the
''ase Of exhaustion in which they can sue for
psaoe On any other terms.
'"sfe Was little news at midnight from sny
-Ai'ef General White had been honored with
'iiuslastic reception at Pietermaritzburg
"ay 10 his new field Of operations on the
river, and had made a stirring speech
80 { me tribute TO the gallantry Of the
n. = H'seis His transfer TO the command
1enersi Gatacre's and General CIementss
Dnhs Is proof that both will be strongly
Oeeo - as TO overrun the southern section
r free State, and work their way up to
Plies oii""S as oase OF sup
,. ,ne pacihcstion Of the Dutch districts at
easst.S Burghersdorp and Colesberg is pro-
eeong rapidly
90 hooerts's army must have reached
sASraham's Kraal by Friday but Tbe,s was ~
at Midnight al oince eioSed
THE EIGHTH DIVISION
8, -. h'ghth Division. which has been wait,no
lss -''Shot many weeks for marching orders
! rs~ - - 70 move General Rundle. with his
| o. 81 - yesterday from SOUTHAMPTON and
/ saos, tHE battalions one brigade will be
cus.s-g 'he end of another week with the
! ros brigade booked for tbe eo,,o,..,-.l
following
! go,r 1a1'efles allotted to the division ara NO,
/ lo,s south Africa. This is because botb
tha, s'Oefts and Lord wolseley are convinced
/ m are guns enough at the seat ~ war
orrs Critics OF the War ofhce who uere c,ar,,
rer ~. long ago for the shipment of IN ooo
/ s.ar -1iheniBg the shortcomings of The
fHsnnsa 'pec'ing cavalry and artillery. have hoe,
| Rob.r. Dy this practical evidence tha, Tors
for mas all the cavalry and guns neceseo-,-
Tbs essful prosecution Of the war
asrat. u'ilary movement has received q oraa.
every ever. "a. ara volunteers are gaining recruits IN
seden..n ana shire. Ever literary men o.,
orr;. habits rave been convinced that t,,a,,
edge sf Dii'ish citizens. TO acquire q knoui.
III. e military drill and the use of ,ha
Asch., the recent recruits are Wij,;a,n
he sufha. D,shlatic critic. and Frank Anstev
has ra,,'. bensOn's shakespearian comnsnv
Theatre. oF'h every day at the Lyceun
protrac,eo .,l1a snahsn has broken down under tbe
sad bas strain Of the work al the wsr oe,os s.,e
bear Fs,ar zen forced 10 retire to the co,,n,s'.
loh Hall. for an interval Of co,antd!. r,a,'as,