The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-06
Boer Army I'm the Free State Stretched
Out for Eighteen Miles South of
the Modder River.
NO WORD FROM LORD ROBERTS
HIS SILENCE SAID TO INDICATE AN
AGGRESSIVE MOVEMENT.
His Army Advantageously Posted
General Buffers Casualties-Kru-
ger for independence or Death.

LONDON, Marcn b, a. m.-Ma1eklng Is
to be relieved as soon as the British force
already on the way from Kimberley can
raise the siege. This force is described
vaguely as strong" The Kimberley Light
Horse Is mentioned as component. In
view of the fact that the Kimberley Light
Horse is under the control Of the De Beers
Company, Lord Roberts's visit to Kimber-
ley probably had to do with an arrange
ment with Cecil Rhodes to use this COM
pany of troops.
Mr. Rhodes and Colonel Kekewich have
had differences of policy, 1t appears, which
did not end with the relief of Kimberley.
what shall 1 do with him?" Colonel
Kekewich is said to have wired to Lord
Roberts. who half humorously replied. ac-
cording to a story circulated at the clubs,
Put him in chains"
Fresh intelligence as to what Lord Rob-
erts is doing has ceased again. This silence
is taken to mean that something has hap
pened or is about to happen.
Boer raiders are uncommonly active in
the northwestern section Of Cape Colony,
where they are stirring up the Dutch.
Martial law has consequently been de-
clared.
Mr.. Chamberlain's request for $500 addi-
tionl Australian bushmen is understood to
be explained by the fact that the War Of
fee requires this force for the pursuit of
irreconcilable Beers who, according to the
intelligence department, have been quietly
collecting great quantities of ammunition
and stores in the mountain Businesses Of
the Zouthpansberg district in the north of
the Transvaal, where they are preparing to
carry on guerrilla warfare.
Winston Churchill, describing the relief
Of Ladysmith, in dispatch published by
the Morning Post, says: 'It has been ef-
fected at a cost Of upward of five thousand
officers and men in an army only twenty
five thousand strong" He goes on to pay a
high tribute to Sir Redvers Butler, en-
phasizing the confidence his men had in
him., without which the enterprise could
hardly have succeeded"
OF General Buffers attack on Feb. q
Mr.. Churchill says: Considered in itself,
ii was masterpiece, soundly conceived,
boldly launched and skillfully executed"
He adds that much also was due to the
greatly improved intelligence depart
ment." Mr.. Churchill points out that the
Beers now hold Van Reenan's pass, but
that majority of the Free Staters have
accompanied the Transvaalers northward.
The mobilization Of a powerful fleet be-
gan yesterday evening at Torbay. Fifteen
battleships arrived.
The Times publishes the following dis
patch from Ladysmith, dated March q:
Until had crossed the Tugela / did not
realize the nature of the ground and the
system of the Boer rifle entertainments.
How these final positions were ever forced
by 1900 men seems marvellous. 1t con-
vinces me that the British infantry is
unequaled and that the relief column ac-
complished an almost superhuman task"
The Standard has the following from
Ladysmith, dated Saturday, March 3: 1.-THE
Beers conducted their retreat In most mas
terly fashion, without the loss of single
wagon or an OK. Only a few small camps
have fallen into our hands. In point of
fact. we were able to make only feeble ef-
forts to interfere with their retirement
Stores are pouring in to-day. The progress
of relief. however is slow, as only sixty
carts a day can cross the pontoon bridge.