The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-31


ty-one miles north of Bloemfontein. 1t oc-
cupies cluster of hills won from the
Beers after stiff fight. in which the Brit
ish lost seven officers and 100 men. The
Beers had been using these kopjes as a
base for the narauding bands that have
been beating up the country adjacent to
Bloemfontein for supplies, driving off cat
tie and forcing nonresident Free Staters
into their ranks again. The enemy must
have been in considerable force, as Lord
Roberts sent 5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry
against them.
Lord Roberts's progress TO Pretoria will
probably consist of a series of such for
ward movements, in which Boer positions
will be attacked by portion of the army
advancing rapidly with wheel transport.
the main army coming up as the railway is
repaired.
Lord Roberts Is stripping the forces in
the minor spheres of operations of their
wagon and transport animals in order to
hasten the advance. This is understood to
be the reason why he recalled Lord Meth
uen from Barkly West to Kimberley. Lord
Roberts had TO have Methuen's transport.
The reason why a hot chase was not
made after Commandant Olivier is that
Lord Roberts did not wish to wear out the
cavalry transport. General French lost
1900 horses in the relief of Kimberley and
the pursuit of General Cronje. Lord Rob
erts lost 1900 transport cattle at Watervaal
drift. and it is estimated that he has lost
1000 other animals since the forward move
ment began on Feb. 13
The advance beyond Bloemfontein is
through a bare country. and the supply Of
ficers foresee an increasing difficulty in
providing for a great army moving along
a single line of railway. even when the lat
ter is working smoothly and with ample
rolling stock.
Spencer Wilkinson, dealing with the mill
tary situation in his article in the Morning
Post to-day. says: 1.-THE engagement which
Lord Roberts reports could not have been
very serious. The Importance of the action
lies in the fact that the Beers will prob
ably for some time be shy of approaching
British outposts. 1t would be rash TO say
that Lord Roberts is not about to advance
Immediately The date of the advance will
be secret. so as to prevent the enemy learn
ing it. Presumably Lord Kitchener is now
at Bloemfontein, and this may be taken as
vance"
The Bloemfontein correspondent of the
Morning Post, telegraphing Thursday,
says: Lord Kitchener and his staff crossed
the temporary bridge at Norvalspont last
night. He had three thousand men under
his command and he left seven hundred at
Prieska. He considers the rebellion
crushed, although the fire may smolder
for some time
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
I.adysmith. dated March 80, says: Much
| interest is felt In the civil case Of former
United States Consul Macrum against the
postmaster at Pietermaritzburg for an al
| legged breach of contract in handing over
| his private letters to the military authori-
| ties to open. Judgment is expected to-mor-
row."
| A dispatch to the Daily Mail from Koffy-
| fontein, dated Thursday, March 90 says:
General Clements's flying column, after a
| forced march of thirty-seven miles, yester-
| day arrived here unopposed''
The BIoemfontein correspondent of the
Daily Chronicle, telegraphing Thursday,
March 2s. says: President Kruger's latest
| proclamation warns the women and chill
/ dren to leave Bloemfontein within five
| days, as he intends to lombard and de-
| stroy the city and to shoot the burghers
whom he captures there. Vigorous meas
ures have been taken by the British to
harrass marauding bands of Transvaal
Beers. The latter are resorting to guerrilla
| methods, chiefly against Free Staters who
refuse to join Kruger"
In the House of Commons yesterday the
parliamentary secretary of the War Of
flee. Mr.. Wyndman, was asked whether an
| expedition was on its way to the relief of
Mafeking. He replied that the government
was precluded military grounds from
giving any indications of Lord Roberts 5
plan.
The Canadian Mounted Rifles were part
of the force that occupied Kenhardt yester.
| day.
The rebellion throughout the northwest
districts Of Cape Colony is almost SUD-
pressed
The Goth will sail to-day with six hun.
dred men for st. Helena to guard Genera,
Cronje and 1000 prisoners.
L a.