The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-24
WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
INDIGESTION AND DESULTORY
CAMPAIGNING.
Roberts Still at Bloemfontein, But Sup
posed to be Preparing for a Decisive
Stroke-Mafeking Still Besieged.

BLOEMFONTEIN, April 16.-The
| rainstorm continues, and must delay
the movements of Lord Roberts army
for two days
The Beers have abandoned their at
tack upon Weppener and trekked from
| the vicinity, being evidently afraid of
our pending movements.
At Rockville, also, the enemy or a
majority of them, have undoubtedly re-
tired north, except a body of 5000
which is still reported to be going to-
ward Bethulie.
LONDON, April H. AIS a. m.-Lord
Roberts has spread his net far and wide
to catch the adventurous cOmmandos
that have been making mischief in the
southeastern part of the Free State.
The net has not yet been drawn in, but
at the headquarters of Lord Roberts
the impression exists that the power of
the BeOrS is decreasing. The Daily
News correspondent has them fleeing to
the southeast a Standard correspond
ent reports them fleeing northward; a
Daily Telegraph correspondent says
that some are going north and others
south, while a Morning Post representa-
tive says it is not known what the
Beers are doing.
Evidently the feeling at Bloemfontein
is that the dispositions of Lord Roberts
are such as to enable him to conCen-
trate a large force rapidly at any point.
The Beers, being aware of this, are
presumed to be thinking chiefly of re-
treat. The investment Of Wepener, ac-
cording to special dispatch from
Bloemfontein has absolutely been aban-
doned. According to a Bethany dis
patch the Beers are unable to retreat
nOrthward because the British strongly
hold all roads.
Diverse reports come from Natal,
enc asserting that the Beers have re-
tired beyond the Biggarsberg range
and another saying that some Of them
are close 10 Ladysmith.
London waits confidently for almost
announcement of news IA
yorable to the British. Distrust eX-
lists, however, as to any rapid, con-
tinuCus advance toward Pretoria
chiefly on account Of the lack Of
horses, many of which die in the course
of the long voyages Letters from the
Cape say that three days journey by
rail is made in open trucks, that the
arrangements for feeding and watering
are inadequate and that the unfortun-
ate animals break down rapidly in con- |
sequence of these hardshipS. Despite |
The energy of it's buyers abroad the |
War Office fOreSeeS much difficulty i'm |
supplying the enormous number Of
horses required.
LONDON, April 1.-THE Bloemfon- |
tein correspondent of the Standard, tel
egraphing Monday says: The Beers |
are in full retreat from Weppener, hug |
ging the Basutoland border. The Basu-
tos are marching parallel with them |
along the frontier, watching eagerly for
the slightest encrOaChment."
The Daily News has the following |
from Reddersburg, dated Friday: Gen |
eral Chermside saw the rearguard of
the Beers disappear southeast in full |
retreat. The enemy appear to be in
strong force four miles east of Red
dersburg. They are falling back be-
fore our advance guard"
LONDON, April 1.-THE Daily Mail
has the following from Lady Sarah
Wilson. dated Mafelling April 5: The |
pinch of hunger is beginning to be felt |
and relief seems more distant than ever. |
Since March 81 there had been no she'll |
ing until today, Commandant Snyman |
having taken his burghers to bar Col |
Plumer's road. Today, however, he |
and the bombardment was re-
newed with splendid, high velocity |
guns, firing 14-pound shells, such as had |
not been used since the first days of |
the siege. The military authorities say |
the British artillery has nothing to !
compare with these guns.
A dispatch to the Times from Mafek- |
ing, dated April 10Th, confirming earlier |
reports, says: After Colonel Plumer's
repulse Commandant Snyman sent a !
inviting Colonel Baden-Powell !
to send out to collect the dead and |
but when the ambulances ap- !
peared the Boer commando declined to |
allow them to be taken. Boer reports
of the extent of the British casualties /
have been greatly exaggerated.