Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-22

CLAIMS LATER ADVICES

Kroonstadt, Orange Free State, Tuas-
day, March 90, via Pretoria, March %.
(By Associated Press. THE Beers
commanded by General Olivier engag-
ed the British under Gatacre in the
vicinity Of Bethulie, repulsing chem
with heavy loss and capturing many.
The burghers are arriving here in
great numbers. General Dewitt arriv-
ed today. Desultory fighting with
1 Plumer's column has occurred near
Gaberones.
London, March 22.-(By Associated
Press. The report of Gatacre's defeat
by the Beers is not believed here. The
! last adyices placed Gatacre about thir-
ty miles north of Bethulie where the
4 Boer report says he was defeated.
london Does Not Believe.
London, March 2s1(By Associated
Press. The report from Kroonstadt,
Orange Free State, via Pretoria, that
the Beers, under command of Olivier,
1 had defeated the British troops under
Gatacre, ia the vicinity Of Bethnlie, is
!, not believed here. "a dispatch to- the
DAILY News from springfontein, dated
Tuesday, March 90, says of Gatacre:
4 ssAll well, and adds that he and Bra
bant have not lost a dozen men in a
fortnight. Last advices also placed
Gatacre abrout thirty miles north Of
Bethulie, where the Boer report says
y the defeat was inflicted. This, com
bihed with the fact that no mention
of the affair is made by Roberts in his
dispatch of March 81, confirms the be-
! lief that the Kroonstadt advices are
/ erroneous.
Reports Of skirmishing near Lobatsi
s while anDarently not infiicting any Sc
! rious loss on Plumer's columns, cause
grave anxiety in regard to his ability
TO reach Mafeking. Further news
(; from that quarter is anxiously await
ed, for in the six days than have elaps-
ed since the last messages were sent
off serious engagements may have oc-
CURED, tho not of Plumer's seeking.
The Beers seem determined not to give
! up their prey at Mafeking without a
fierce struggle. The Times, in its sec
ond edition, published dispatch from
Lorenzo Marques which quotes Steyn
as saying, at Kroonstadt, that the
Beers could continue the struggle for
six months longer.
While the Beers and British in the
Orange Free State are taking advan-
/, tage Of the period of inactivity to en-
. joy the rest, those on the borders OF
Natal are beginning to show activity.
"a special dispatch from Durham says
the town of Pomeroy, thirty miles east
of Ladysmith, was burned by the
Beers, a British detachment arriving
at Pomeroy as the Beers evacuated
the place. The detachment shelled the
burghers, but they succeeded in taking
up a strong position in the hills with
{ force estimated at 5000.
Boers Trouble Plumer.
Lobatsi, Friday, March 49,. (By AS
sociated Press. The Beers under
Commandant Snyman are advancing in
force from Mafeking towards Lobatsi.
Colonel Bodle made reconnaissance
March 10 and found Pitsani and Poth-
lugo occupied by the Beers He return
ed to Goode Siding and made a demon
stration March IA. He found the Beers
in strength at a sharp curve on the
railway. They had mounted gun on
the line and We're lying in wait for
{ the construction train. Brisk firing oc-
currsd a few miles south of Lopatsi
]. on the morning of the 18th. The
Beers Maxim was freely used. Colonel
] Bodle came in touch with the Beers
just in time to prevent the camp be-
ing surprised. The Beers attacked the
advance party and captured a few
boxes OF ammunition and nearly Sc
cured Maxim. Lieutenant Tyler was
killed and Lieutenant Chapman cap
!, tured. Bodies coming put the Beers
to flight with heavy loss. The Boer,;
were yesterday within a few miles Of
Lobatsi. Yesterday afternoon the
Bosgs pressed closely on Plumer's