The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-03-30
A PROLONGED HALT.
Conditions That Exist in the Free
State Render II Necessary.
There D. Little Likelihood OF the I'm.
mediate Relief of MafelsinE-
TransVaat Authorities Are
Recrutting Actively.

London, March 27.-The continued
absence of aggressive movement ON
the part of the British is best ex-
planned i'm a dispatch from Bloemfon-
tein. dated Sunday. March s5, and
published in the second edition of
the Times Monday. IL says;
THE conditions existing In the
occupied territory render imperative
the somewhat prolonged halt at
Bloemfontein. II is necessary that
the effect of the proclamation should
have time 10 make itself felt. IL Is
declared that danger of annoyance
to the line of communication may be
unprecedented unless the territory be-
hind the advancing forces is rem
dered absolutely secure. The accnr-
acy of this view ia proved by the fact
of the enemy's breaking up into iso-
late groups, such as that which at
tackled the guards officers Friday.
The adjustment of financial and mum
icipal matters in the Free State Is
now chiefly occupying the attention
of the governor and his legal and
financial advisers. The military re-
gime is being conducted with great
smoothless. but recent investiga-
tons show that caution must be ex-
ercised in dealing with persons APP
parently loyal"
This summary is probably an ac-
curate explanation Of the frequent
appearance and disappearance OF
Beers and insurgents. upon which the
reports are so conflicting and which
SO puzzle the British military critics.
Gen. Methuen appears TO be await
ing transportation, and with Col.
Plumer's forces on half rations there
now seems little likelihood OF the
immediate relief of Mafeking. aud
from this quarter nor from Lord
Roberts or Gen. Butler is there any
direct news Monday.
A Lorenzo Marques special says the
Transvaal authorities are evidently
recruiting actively. and large num-
bers of French, Dutch and Belgian
volunteers are constantly passing
through that place TO join the Boer
forces.
Gen. French is reported from
Bloemfontein Sunday as returning
from Thaba Nchu without appsrcnt-
Nv having headed OF Commandant
Oliver with his - gsas and nils OF
baggage. Boer horsemen are in| con-
tact with the British outposts rom
Biggersbure 20 Warrenton.
Lord Roberts infantry .hl&3ow
been quiet for "A 'days aIf - Of
an advance is hourly expected a the
war Office.
Gen. Buffers patrols had a sharp
skirmish Sunday at Waschbank
London. March 27.--lhe Cape Town
correspondent Of the Daily MAJ tile
graphing Monday. March 20. says:
"Strong expedition will leave kim
berry to-day, primarily for Griqua-
town. Its movements are likely 10
attract considerable notice"
Rarl<ly West, March ga COM
mando OF 400 Beers has reoccupied
PaplSuel. forcing the rebels in the
Herbert district to rejoin the federal
flag. Extensive footing Is reported
in that direction.
Pretoria. March %. via Lourenzo
Marques.-Gen. Joubert has returned
from Kroonstad. lie is full Of hope
and may return TO Natal shortly.
Paris. March 27.-It is learned from
a reliable source that the Boer Com
missioners, Wolmarans and Fischer.
now en- route TO Europe. will visit
the United States. They will bring
an important proposition TO Presi-
dent Mckinley.
From the same source comes word
that the Pretoria government does
not contemplate the destruction OF
he Johannesburg mines, the posi-
oility of which is agitating British
capitalists.
London. March 27.-The Bloemfon-
Elm correspondent OF the Morning
lost telegraphing Saturday says: Il
earn that Mr.. Steyn fled against his
n Judgment and on the persuasion
Mr. Fischer that duty To his coun-
Try required that he should remain
mcaptured a. long as resistance was
possible"
Planning Viii burned.