The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-28
In SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, March 21.-Signs of fric-
ton are apparent among the generals
in the field Partisans of Gen. Butler
and Gen. Roberts are particularly ac-
tive. Gen. Butler it is claimed is using
Winston Churchill as mouth-piece
when the latter writes Seen. Roberts
had nothing to do with the relief of
Lsdysmith."
LONDON, March 21.-The British
government is already actively prepar-
ing a settlement of the South African
question as soon as the republics are
conquered which may, they think, be
accomplished before June. The de-
pa.ture of Miner for Bloemfontein is
regarded as the first step toward reor-
ganization. II is stated that Joseph
Chamberlain, the colonial secretary, is
busy with scheme giving the colonies
representatives in the British Parlia-
ment in return for which they are to
pay proportion of the Imperial army
and navy expenses.
While there is a lull in the military
operations the political surroundings Of
the war show interesting developments.
The colonial office has telegraphed to
Cape Town the text of the proclama-
ton concerning the destruction of
property. This will not be published
in London until after its PRONUNCIATION
in South Africa but it is known that it
will convey an intimation that any
wanton destruction of British property
during the war will be regarded as war
ranting claim for compensation and
as justifying levy upon private prop
erty should the resources of the Trans
vasl republics prove inadequate.
Il is bee )ming regarded as quite a
settled matter that, should be war be
ended, as it is now hoped, before June,
the government will dissolve Parla
ment and appeal to the country on the
basis of successful South African pol
icy. Should the war drag on, dissolu
ton will be postponed until next
spring. In any event one of the fore
mos plauks of the government plat
form will be army reorganization.
KRooNsTADT, Orange Free State,
March Is, Delayed. - Kruger and
Steyn addressed vast camp'meeting
today. Kruger called upon the Beers
to maintain a gallant fight stating that
the ultimate issue will result in the
maintenance of the independence of
the republics. Steyn said that in the
six months the war has been on, the
Beers have lost less than one thousand
killed and that the fighting had only
begun.
1t did not follow that the Free
State had been conquered because
Bloemfontein was occupied by the
British. After the speeches the ma
tional song was sung enthusiastically
andthe presidents were cheered to the
echo.
LONDON, March 22.-Several tel
egrams have passed between President
Kruger and the British government in
addition to the Salisbury Kruger cor
respondence already published. The
foreign Office received despatch from
Pretoria yesterday. The contents OF
these communications cannot yet be
obtained.
So far as the military situation is
concerned there is practically no
change. Lord Roberts is quietly max
ing preparations for the next move.
As necessary to beginning, Generals
Gatacre and Brabant are swiftly NOV
Ing from point to point in the southern
districts of the Free State dispensing or
accepting the surrender of any remain
ing Beers, thus ensuring the safety of
Lord Roberts communications before
starting toward Pretoria.