The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-02
MAFEKING NEXT.
Roberts Is Thought to Have
Dispatched a Force
To the Relief of Baden-POwelI's
Little Band.
ADVANCE is DELAYED.
Army Is Not in Condition to
Move on BlOemfOmtein.
Besides a Strong Force of Beers
Must Be Dispersed.

London, March 2.-2 p. m.-With no
prospect of any exciting news coming
in from Ladysmith in the near future,
all eyes turn once more towards Field
Marshal Lord Roberts and his advance
into the Orange Free State. The critics
of the afternoon newspapers are almost
unanimous in expecting the main stand
of the Beers to occur at Wynburg, or in
its vicinity
Before Lord Roberts advance on
Bloemfontein can become effective the
strong force of Beers already gathered
southwest of Paardeberg must be dis
persed. The British lack remounts- and
the necessity of a thorough transport
organization may delay a decisive ac
tion in this quarter for several days
and perhaps weeks. Mafeking alone
now awaits relief and a force to
accomplish this is probably already on
ITS way. No more popular event could
occur for Great Britain than the relief
of Col Baden -PowelPs gallant little
band 1t is believed they are quite able
to hold out till succor arrives.
In northern Cape Colony the British
campaign progresses well. The whole
line of the Orange river should shortly
be in their possession. It rs suggested
that Gen. Whites garrison may be
sent to sea to recuperate, but this
scarcely seems probable.
The afternoon newspapers devote
Jubilant editorials to the joy that
reigned yesterday throughout the en-
pire, translating it as one more sign of
imperial unity
GUESTS OF CECIL RHODES.
Kimberley, March Lord Roberts
and Gen. Kitchener We're the guests of
Mr.. Cecil Rhodes While here.
SUPPLIES FOR LADYSMITH.
London, March "A dispatch from
Gen. Butler was received at the war
office this morning announcing that 70
wagon loads of supplies are now enter
ing Ladysmith, the first eleven wagons
containing hospital comforts.
CRONJE'S JOURNEY SOUTHWARK.
Orange River, March 1.-Gen. Cronje
and his wife passed here last night en-
route to Cape Town. Elaborate pre-
cautions had been taken to prevent the
public from seeing hiray- even the Off
GERS We're ordered off of the station and
the refreshment room was kept closed
before his arrival to the discomfort of
the Kimberley passengers who were
obliged to go foOdless.
Gen. Cronje looks detected and mis-
cradle and is much grayer. He entered
the refreshment room accompanied by
his wife, son and interpreter and Gen
Prettyman and his staff Taking his
seat at a table, Gen. Cron1e covered his
face with his hands for few moments
as he engaged in prayer.
CRONJE'S MEN PARADED
Paardeberg, Wednesday, Feb. IS
All the prisoners were paraded yester-
udy AFTERNOON 4ney extended IN a long
trailing line, like a serpent across the
plain and as far as possible were ar
ranged in commanders. The Free
Staters were kept separate from the
TransYaalers. The look upon the faces
of the men as they passed made it i'm
possible to arrive at any other conclus-
ion than that they were all Overjoyed
at their release from the daily hell of
shell and shot which they had been
experiencing lately. Many did not even
take the trouble to conceal their de-
light from the soldiers guarding them.
They chatted freely with the British
discussing the different battles in which
they had fought.
All the prisoners have an intense ad-
miratIon for the bravery and pluck Of
the Hlghlanders and they freely con-
fess that they are incapable of the dash
and go and pluck of the British Some
of the sick prisoners have given vivid
description of Gen. Cronle's night
march. 1t began in a panic and terrible
confusion prevailed throughout The
huge wagons crowded the narrow road
there was an utter lack of order and
deSertlOnS were numerous. From them
also was learned the details of the Boer
cOmmissariat. The BOer rations con-
sisted of one pound and a half of fresh
meat daily and one pound and a half
of coffee, three pounds of sugar and five
pounds of flour per man weekly. Every
man who was off duty visited the
Boer laager yesterday and the crowd
of curious TOmmies spent the day in
searching every nook and corner. What
might prove useful to the army had
been secured and the soldiers were al
lowed to take whatever they liked. The
men carried off clothing, kettles cups
and even umbrellas. The latest reports
announce that a large force of Beers is
operating ten miles away on the Brit
ish right front.
DEWITT FAILED CRONJE.
London March "A special cores
pondent telegraphing from Paardeburg
February q, says:
A curious piece of news has lust been
related to me by Gen. CrOnje's aide de
camp. 1t appears that CrOnie was in
daily photographic communication with
Gen. Dewitt who he supposed was bring
ing up reinfOrcements- He photographed
that unless he was relieved Immediately
he would feel bound to surrender Gen
Dewitt replied with a cheering message
urging him to hold on longer and that
he would soon be relieved, but totally
failed to effect any. diversion
The mounted infantry today recon-
noitered the Beers approaching from
the south and after drawing a shell fire
returned
The prisoners all appear to regard
the blow as seVerer than it is regarded
by the British. Gen. CrOnje's aide de
camp stated today that he believed the
long as the Transvaal wished. On the
other hand many Free Staters are anx
iously asking for copies of Lord Rob-
erts proclamation
DEAD WERE FORGOTTEN.
New York, March "A dispatch to
the World from London, describing the
rejoicing over the relief of Ladysmith,
says:
In the suburbs it was no uncommon
thing to see well dressed women career
ing in the middle of the roads, seeming
~ mad, while omnibus conductors We're
shouting in childish frenzy ito Pretoria
all the way. two pence"
In the west end a gang of students
from the university college cOmman-
deered heavy freight vans, dragged them