Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-23
MILES OF GUNS
1oers VIII Make Desperate Resist.
ance to Roberts, Advance.

Il
London, April 23. There was last
night the usual Sunday medley OF om-
inous rumors and confused conjectures
from the theater of war, with a heavy
budget OF mail correspondence on
minor incidents Of the period Of mas
terly inactivity.
The most serious news was the evil
dence from Boer sources that formida-
Bile preparations have been made t6 re-
ssist the advance OF. Gen. Roberts army.
The Beers are vaguely reported to-
have mounted sixty-nine guns at
Kroonstad. and to have constructed a
circuit Of defenses eight miles long
around Pretoria.
It is fOregone conclusion that Pre-
toria will be vigorously defended, but
the experts are not prepared to accept
evidence from q Boer source that
Kroonstad has been strongly fortified,
altho the wisest among them hope that
the news Is true.
Kroonstad Offers strong advantages
for defense, but Gen. Roberts, with his
vastly superior force, can turn the po-
sition by either flank and compel It's
evacuation, with a good chance of In.
hictinR a decisive defeat which will
greatly impair the Boer resources for
repelling an attack upon Pretoria.
The Beers are reported as mastering
every man capable of carrying rifle.
and az taking their ambulance corps in
to the fighting line. They need all lsthese
resources in order to justify current es-
Inmates Of their available force.
They are alleged to have from 5000 to
10000 men In the district between de-
vets Dorp and Wepener, where heavy
fighting was reported Friday and Sat
urday. They are also described as occu-
pying line ten miles long in upper Ma
tai and as shelling the British positions
at Elandslaagte on Saturday with una
bated spirit.
The motive OF this activity is not
clear. but 1t Is surmised that the Beers
are anxious to prevent the transfer OF
British forces from Natal to Bioemfon-
tein and Boshof. which apparently is
still In progres.
The Beers have also been active in
front of Gen. Methuen at Fourteen
Streams and Mafekjng renlains under
investment. Ifthe elastic estimates Of
Boer forces are footed up, an aggregate
/ is isproduced which upshts the reasonable
deductions from the census returns and
the Casualties on the Dutch side.
More careful estimates allow 20. 900
Transvaalers ard 5000 Free Staters for
active operations all around. Expert
ence has shown that in all South Afri-
& can reports the strength OF the Dutch
40 grossly exaggerated.
Siege of Sveponer Unbrok en-.
London. April q. Cen Rundle's adj
vance from sDewetsdorp to Wepener ap-
parently lacks q great deal OF being a
military promenade. The latest adyices
show that the troops have met with
very appreciable opposition, altho the
British general seems gradually to be
driving the Beers from their positions
Fighting prevailed all day Friday and
Saturday until late at night. No infor.
nation Is at hand detailing the events
OF Sunday. but dispatches from severa
sources speak Of heavy firing between
Dewetsdorp and Wepener. It is supposed
that the battle IL still In progress.
Meantime the siege Of Wepener, SO fan
& as Is known In London. is unbroken
Advices from Alimal North tell of fight.
ing about the beseiged town Saturday
and Sunday. but give no news as to II,
result, The fact that the Beers in the
n country around Wepener, while con.
- 0CIOUH sl1ldt uOslllG lOICSSS dTe INOSIUE
against them from three sides. Will,
the fourth side Is guarded by Basutt
M warriors. have chosen to stand theil
ground. is taken as one more indication
( OF the fact that these Dutchmen seldom
do what the military seers unite in de
claring they must do.
Diminishing continues near Glen, will
few casualties on both sides. TIL,
British are maintaining their position
but It 10 reported that the Beers. beinl
1 slowly reinforced are nanifesting al
aggressive spirit.
Later details of the battle near Boss
HON In which Lord Methuen escaped b,
q hairs breadth the loss of his convoy
q reveal the fact that five yeomen wer
killed and eight wounded It is takel
for granted that Lord Methuen,s move
Sment In the direction OF Hoopstad Ma
3 been temporarily checked.
The Beers keep UP an intermittent at
tack on Warrentcn. appare htly accomp
B lishing very little Of e seri6us nature.
1Aruly Major Killss. In : Duel.
1lenhs, Aprii q fatal duel Va
l aeAt . - ssast - nqtf fhssR lIul