The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-30
ROBERTS ADVANCE ON PRETORIA TO
COMMENCE IN A FEW DAYS.
LABORIOUS TASK BEFORE HIM,
One Hundred and Thirty Miles to be
Traversed Before the Boer Position
Is Reached-An Immense Army As
ed Activity of Beers at Kimberley.
Destruction of Coal Mines in Natal
Continued Beers Concentrating.

London, March 2s.-The British high
! commissioner, Sir Alfred Miner, ar
rived at Bloemfontein last night and
| was met by Lord Roberts and his staff.
According to a dispatch from Bloem-
, fontein published in the second edi-
| ton of TheTimes the high commission
| ers visit is of a private nature. 1t is
| thought this can scarcely be anything
| but an official subterfuge, the question
| of the pacification of the Free State
| and the treatment Of the insurgents,
| doubtless, being discussed between
Lord Roberts and Sir Alfred Miner.
According to the same dispatch Gen
eral French, Previous to returning to
Bloemfontein, occupied the flour mills
| near Batter which is considered an i'm
portant acquisition.
Reports from RouXville and other
! towns say the surrender of arms to the
| British continues satisfactorily.
General Clements column entered
| Fauresmith Tuesday, March 9th,
| having previously occupied JagerSfon-
| tein. Magistrates were appointed, the
| proclamation was read, bands of music
| met the troops and flags were flown.
| The scenes resembled the American
| occupation of Porto Rican towns.
| Further advices from Mafeking, dat
| ed March 10Th, reiterate that all was
| we'll there and that the Gordon was
not so tightly drawn, the Beers allow
| ing natives to pass through their lines,
| which they had previously 70 bidden.
| The native refugees are reported to be
too stupid and lazy to work or take
| cover from the shells. They gather in
crowds around the soup kitchens and
n q
| warning bell rings.
The bombardment, just previous to
the dispatch sent, had been unusually
| vigorous and it was added that it was
probable that before long the rations
| would be still further reduced.
A private telegram received from
| Mafeking reports that all was we'll
| March GOTH
Two Boer prisoners escaped from the
| camp at SimOnstown March 26th. The
| sickness there is unabated and many
of the prisoners are in a serious con-
dition.
The only word from General Butler
is a report of the officers who have re-
covered from wounds and who have
returned to duty, which list includes
the name of Lieutenant John Churchill,
brother of Winston Churchill
INACTION TO CEASE.
A special dispatch from Bloemfon-
coming to an end. Troops are being
pushed to the front and transports and
stores are being collected. The men
are in grand condition and the horses
| are picking up wonderfully" Howev-
er, the reports regarding the imni-
nence of a forward movement are so
conflicting that they cannot be taken
in any way authoritative.
Presiding at the annual meeting of
the Militia Rifle Association this af-
ternoon, the chief of
the forces, Lord Wolseley said the
country was to be congratulated on
the manner in which the war was pro-
ceeding. Great Britain, he pointed out,
had in the field the largest army ever
sent across the seas in the history of
the world and composed of the finest
men he had ever seen in any army.
CONSUL HAY AT KROONSTADT
Pretoria, Monday, March 26.-United
have gone to Kroonstadt to make nee
essary arrangements for United States
representation in the Free State.
A dispatch received here from the
Boer headquarters in Natal announces
that the destruction continues of coal
mines likely to be useful to the Brit
ish. The Dundee colliery has been
, blown up, the machinery has been de-
stroyed and the mine has been render
ed useless for three months to come.
According to a dispatch from Kroon-
stadt, Commandant Olivier has Joined
Generals Groblaar and Lemner, who
are safe. General DeIarey is still sick
at Pretoria, but he will proceed to the
front Sunday. Trains are frequently
leaving with burghers for the fighting
l line on this side Of Bloemfontein.
The Standard and Diggar's News
says it learns that Generals Olivier
Groblaar and Lemner have arrived al
a point sufficiently far moth to relieve
all apprehensions Of the possibility OF
their being cut off. 1t is expected they
; will arrive at Winburg in a few days
and effect a juction with General
Dewet, when the federals' forces, it is
declared, will formidably oppose Lord
Roberts.
: Reports received from the various
: thanks of the republic SHOW that the
cash holdings amount to e2,233,05l
sterling. The government has COM
mandeered a portion Of the gold re-
> serve of all the banks. Bar gold has
: been given as security to the amount
I OF about 100000.
MAFEKING BOMBARDED.
London. March "a Pretoria dis
! patch to The Daily Mail, dated March
2Sth, says:
An official dispatch reports heavy
, bombardment Of Mafeking in progress
: on Monday, March 26th, which was
, meeting with a spirited response.
: Michael Dayitt had an interview
!; with President Kruger today.
: Brussels, March ga private dis
. patch has been received here from
, Pretoria, which says that President
Kruger will now take chief command
Of the Transvaal forces.
. ROBERTS PREPARING FOR HIS
: ADVANCE.
: London, March 29.-General French,
who has arrived at Bloemfontein from
.Ho hot nd q 1Y,t
) Olivier has 5000 men and is north Of
Ladybrand.