The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-03-08
WAR NEWS OF THE MEEK.

, that Dundonalds command OF his army
had entered the besieged town the night
before, and that the Beers had retired
leaving the country between him and
Ladysmith practically go" FRIDAY
morning it was announced that Butler
himself had reached the city. Gen.
White commanding the garrison there
had withstood siege of 11S days, and
his men were reduced TO ration of half
a pound of meal each per day, supple
mented by little horse and mule meat.
The relief came none too soon, as the
garrison was becoming much weakened
by the lack of food and the polluted
water. The Beers got away with all
their heavy guns. The feeling in Eng
land was one of great satisfaction, but
the war preparations were not relaxed
1t was supposed on Friday that Robertss
army had moved at once on Bloemfon
tein, though no positive information to
that effect was forthcoming.
| Saturdays reports were to the effect
that the Beers were massing a force
about eight miles from Paardeburg UNI
der the joint command ofsBotha, Delar-
ey and Dewet. Here. sooner than leave
hostile force of considerable strength
operating against his line of communica-
tons, Lord Roberts would have to bring
on general engagement. The Boer
force mentioned was estimated at the
date of the report to number from 1000
to ~ 600 men. 1t was thought by some
that this was merely a detachment of |
the main Boer army, placed SO as to de- |
lay Roberts, progress as much as posi-
BILE while the principal force concentrat-
ed and fortified themselves at Winburg,
seventy miles northeast of Bloemfontein.
But the general opinion was that the
Beers would not after all abandon Bloem
fontein without fight. The news from
Natal was mainly additional details of
Buffers relief of Ladysmith. Supplies
were being hurried to the town and the
garrison and inhabitants were beginning
already TO recover their health. There
was a rumor in Europe on Saturday that
Col. Baden -Powells small force be
sieged at Mafeking had been relieved by
the Beers raising the siege, but it was
not confirmed
Parliamentary leaders in England be-
gan to discuss plans for the arrange
ment of political affairs in South Africa
after the war The plan most favored
was complete disarmament of the Trans
walters and Free Skaters and the incor-
,,oration of their territory into the
Queens South African dominions.
Saturday afternoon it was stated that
President Kruger of the Transvaal had
left Pretoria to meet and consult with
President Steyn of the Orange Free
State. Some persons who were convers-
ant with the situation believed that the
meeting was preliminary to a proposal
to lake peace with England. This view
was merely conjecture, however.
Sunday brought nothing of important
ance except that the British press-censor
was again ut work, and that no particu-
announced at that time. On Monday
the dispatches contained an account of
an action at Dordrecht in which the
Beers were defeated by Col Brabant's
troops 1t was also reported from Bloem
fontein that the Transvaal forces were
about to abandon Rensburg President
Kruger issued Il stirring address to the
burghers of Natal, urging them to re-
newed effort Gen. Cronje formally
thanked Lord Roberts for the humane
treatment accorded him and his army
since their capture. 1t was stated on
good authority that Ladysmith could
not possibly have held out more than a
week longer when relieved by Butler.
A dispatch published Tuesday March 6
dated mt Cape Town the day before, said
that Sir Alfred Miner the governor of
Cape Colony had proclaimed martial law
throughout the districts of Prieska, Ken
hardt, Britstown and Barley West. AS
to the movements of Lord Roberts not a
word leaked through the presscensor.
Buffers army was quiet and no move
ment was anticipated in that quarter for
another week New rumors were afioat
in Lorenzo MARQUEE to the effect that
President Kruger was contemplating
offering peace. but they were not credit
ed to any extent. The best opinion seem
ed to be that the Beers would make
stand at Glencoe and Laings Mex Sub
scription lists were started III Paris to
purchase sword for Gen. Cronje
Later reports Tuesday stated that a
strong British force had left Kimberly
to relieve Col Baden-Powell mt MAIZE
king, and that it would be opposed by
the Beers. A battle was expected at any |
time. 1t was announced that it had cost
the English 5000 men to get to Lady