Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-05
A SURPRISE PARTY.
Continued from page ~

would be forced to move to the east
ward, in which direction their mobil-
ity would probably enable them 20
reach the Bethlehem and Harrismith
line Of safety. The only opposition the
British encountered at BrandfOrt seems
to have come from the Irish American
command.
The central British army is now III
line with the extreme left at Bosho1.
under Lord Mcthucn, and the extreme
right at Elandslaagte, under Gen. Bui-
Ter. so that movements Of these wings
in cooperation of the main army may
shortly be expected.
ThaEl N'Chu, May S.-The Beers
have evacuated Thaba Menu hill ana
are b liev5d t. still trekking. though
one gun has shelled the camp indis-
criminateIy. Scouts report that some
Cf the Beers evacuated the position
during the night. trekking northward-
" in three directions. Gen. French
left. today. Gen. Rumble is in COM
mand here 1t is expected that Gen.
Brabant will expect a junction at any
moment.
London. May 4.-11.2O =. M-The
war office, this evening, issued the fol-
lowing from Lord Roberts, dated
frankfort, Friday. May A: The
mounted infantry have gone on to the
Vel river. The rest of the force will
march there. tomorrow. The railway
has been repaired to Frankfort. Hunter
cntiSfDrtnrN- that TN
passage of the Naal has been carried
at Windsorton without opposition"
London. May 4-Thc Gazette, this
evening. contains Gen. French's report
Of the disaster TO the Suffolk Regiment
in the Colcsburg district. Jan ), which
he entirely attributes to the fact that
a majority Of the four companies Of
the regiment engaged We're seized with
panic and retired. He pays high tri-
butte to the officers of the regiment
ana the men who remained with them.
London. May 5.-The Daily Express
publishes an interview with Abraham
Fischer of the Boer peace commission.
given one of its reprcSy natives at
B1uloSne- Sur Mer before the Maasdam
Sllltu LOT the united oldItS. MI.
Fischer said: I'VE will gladly consent
to submit all questions of guarantees
ana Indemnity to the decision of any
imperial tribunal. Grant us that and
W. will lay down our arms, tomorrow"
Erah2nts Camp. Tuesday. May l.
Q;y Runner t. Mafcking). -Brabant'
division now occupies n strong position
on 4 range of hills on the Ladybrand
road. about 20 miles from Wcpeuer.
The troops are confronted by q large
force of Beers who recently occupied
WepanCr. and who have now been To-
Gated in the mountain known in the
Free Stat" as SeWartlepherg. This
morning. the Eorderer's Horse, under
COL Maxwell. came in contact with the
Boer outpoSt5, but returned to camp
after locating the enemy. Later 4
group of SEQ Beers was discovered
marching past the Boer position. but
the British were unable to tell whether
they We're friend or enemy until they
had disappeared in 4 hollow. few
miles away, when they proved to be
BOer commando.
Ladysmith. May 4.-The Boers have
shifted their guns III the range If hills
facing the British in front Of Glands
la2gte, ana have posted a Long Tom"
on hill in the direction of Vessels Mex
Aliwal North. cape Colony. May A.
Smithticld was occupied. yesterday. by
Gen. Harris brigade. Out ot tile I5J Beers
in the town. = were captured ana the
rest decJmpcd. I.ldyhrand was recently
fun Of Eo"r wounded. who have now
been removed to FiCksburg.
London, May Am tho House Of
Commons, today. the usual variety of
war questions was asked. The parlia-
mcntary secretary of the war office.
George Wyndham, said no further re-
port had been received from Lord Rob
crts in reference to the Koornspruit
disaster.
The government leader il the House
of Commons. a. j. Balfour. replying to
questions regarding the reports of the
i'll treatment of British prisoners at
Pretoria, said Her Mlj"stys govern
ment was considering the advisability
of further representations on the sub
ject through Washington and through
the United States consul at Pretoria,
Adelbert s. Hay, who has charge of
British interests in the Transvaal.
Later, the House went into commit
tee Of supply on the war office vote.
Walter Runcieman. Liberal. represent
ing Oldham, started the debate on the
publication Of the Spion kop dispatch
cs He declared the government had
GisrcGarded every consideration except
publicity and asserted that the rcSpon-
sibility for the publication rested en-
tircly with politicians. although in this
case the secretary for war had dclibc-
ratcly attempted to throw the respOn-
Sibility on the commandments
The public. he asserted, had expected
The recall Of the censured command
crs rs in the case Of Gen. Gatacre, in
stead If which Gen. Warren had been
sent to administer a large territory,
while Cen. Butler retained his com
mand.
Mr.. Wyndham in reply quoted the
Duke of Wellington rs precedent for
the publication of the dispatches. In
80 doing, he said. he resented the
grave insinuation that the secretary of
state for war was guilty of anything
dishonorable in requesting Gen. Bu!-
Ter to rc-wrte his dispatch. He added
eesoooeseeeseeesseoessesee