Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-10
ACROSS THE VAAL
BRITISH FORCE OVER ANOTHER
RIVER.
GRADUALLY PUSHING ON
Makes Relief of Mafeking Almost
Within Calculable Distance-Boers
Gradually Retreat Before the Ad-
vance-Commissioner Says Burgh-
ers VIII Arbitrate.

London, May 5.-The mounted in
fstry with Roberts among which
are the Canadians, have picketed their
horses on the south bank of the Vet
river, eighteen miles north of Brand
fort. The head of Roberts columns
mas thus advanced % miles from ka-
rec siding in Two days. or 53 miles
Corth OF Bloemfontein. As the Brit
ism advanced the beers retired out OF
reach of their shells. Correspondents
supplement Roberts plain statements
with few details As General Hutton.
with the first mounted infantry brig
ade drew near Brandfort. he saw a
khaki clad body of troops ahead Of
him. He was surprised, but thought
they must be British. Soon. however.
they opened fire upon the Brit
ish, who replied heavily. They
were the IrishAmerican brigade
from Lourenzo Marques and it is re-
ported the Irish lost severely. The
boer flag was flying over Brandfort as
the British entered the town. The
postmaster gave up the keys of the
public buildings. Gen. Kitchener ar
rived at Brandfort at noon and Rob-
erts at dusk. French's cavalry is
sweeping the country northward. The
expectation is that the infantry ad-
vance will be continued towards
Kroonstad Immediately. Although no
prisoners were taken, the enws greatly
cheers London. Nevertheless it has
not been received with the fine rapture
that attended the first successes of
Roberts. Hunters GRO sings of the
Vaal at Windsorton brings the relief
Of Mafeking, 1875 miles be-
yond, almost in a calculable Interval
1t now regarded as quite possible
that Mafeking may be succored be-
fore the queens birthday. The debate
in parliament on the SpiOn Kop dis
patches proved a disappointment to
the supporters Of the government.
Wepener is to be garrisoned with a
strong force from Gen. Chermside S
division, commanded by Lord Castle
town. Henry f. Lucy, writing in the
Daily News, says he has ascertained
that Sir Alfred Miners letter against
ladies visiting south Africa was writ
ten as the result of an intimation from
Queen Victoria
Beers Willing to Arbitrate.
London. May 5.-The Daily Express
publishes an interview with Abraham
Fischer Of the boer peace commission
at Boulogne-Su before the Mass
dam sailed for the United States.
Fischer said: Our ultimatum was
issued under the belief that our de-
struction had been determined upon.
We believed all our concessions had
been rejected and that nothing we
could offer would prevent the attack
upon US for the purpose of destroying
our independence and Selling our ter
ritory. Since then your prime minis
ter has declared you want no territory,
that your colonial secretary told par
lament he intended in the September
dispatch 70 accept nine-tenths of our
conditions. If these speeches had
been made in September instead of
October we would never have formu-
lated the ultimatum. We will gladly
consent to submit all questions of
guarantees and indemnity to the deci-
sion of any imperial tribunal. Grant
us that and We will lay down arms
Hunter Crosses the Wall
London, May 5.-The war office last
evening issued the following from
Roberts, dated BIoemfontein: The
mounted infantry have gone on to the
Vet river The rest of the force will
march there today. The railway has
been repaired to this point. Hunter
reports very satisfactory news, that
the passing Of the Wall was carried
out at Windsorton without opposi-
ton