Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-03-05
Free staters Will Join Their
Brethren If Driven From Their
Own Country.
PRETORIA BEING ENTRENCHED
President Kruger Makes a Stir
ring Appeal TO His Brave
People.
THREE ARMIES IN THE FIELD

Durham, March IA newspaper cor
respondent who reached here from
Ladysmith says the enthusiasm of the
garrison and inhabitants of the besieg-
ed town was intense when the reliev-
ing column entered. The correspond
ent believes the garrison could have
held out until Apri. 2. though rations
have necessarily been reduced to a
minimum. The men of the garrison win
require rest, and the horses are much
wasted. The correspondent paid
high tribute to the courage and hero
ism Of the women. Never a complaint
was heard from them in spite of their.
unexampled privations. The women
and children were estimated at 500.
Though there was much sickness aris.
ing from a horse meat diet, and the
absence of farinaceous food, the cpl
demic period passed safely. DR.. Jane
son Is suffering srom typhoid fever,
General Butler entered the town es-
corted only by his staff. The Beers
exchanged shots with the relieving
force. It is believed that the Beers are
retreating to Glencoe.
Lorenzo Marques, March 4-Persis-
tent reports continue that Transvaal
republic has opened negotiations look
ing to the securing OF peace. On the
other hand, It is asserted the Beers
will make stand at Glencoe and
Laing's Mex, and in the meantime the
at Pretoria are being |
extended in anticipation of seige. A
between the Boer presi-
dents. it is added, and the general
the Beers in northern
Natal, was hurriedly arranged on re.
eeipt Of the news of Cronje's sur
render.
Until Thursday night official con-
firmation OF the surrender was with
held from the public. President Krug-
er sent fervid religious appeal, with
orders that It should be read by all
officers to the Burghers, urging them
to stand fast and starve in the name
of the Lord, for unless they had faith
in Him, cowardice would set in and
their position would be hopeless the
moment they turned their backs on the
enemy. Their past victories, he de-
clared, showed that the Lord was on
their side. The president beseeched
the Burghers not to bring destruction
on their progeny. Continuing, the
special says high authority in Bloem-
fontein declares that in the event OF
the repulse of the Free State forces
the latter will retire towards the
and unite with their breth-
rem there in maintaining the struggle
to the last. Boer casualties at Co
lenso, during the week ended February
25th, are reported to be thirty-one
men killed and 1870 wounded.
London March 5-The air of mys-
terry which covers the movements OF
the main British army In South Afri-
ca continues, though what information
leaks through indicates that the cam
paign is being carried on with steady
progress.
There are now practically three
British armies in the field; one in the
Free State, one in Cape Colony and
the other in Natal. The first and
more important is in close touch with
a body of Beers estimated to number
about 5000.
Speculation as to direction and
method of General Roberts advance
into the Free States is quite worthless,
so carefully are plans concealed.
In Cape Colony, Generals Brabant
and Clements command two horns of
the army, while General 'Gatacre holds
the main Boer force in check. Cat
acre and Clements will probably COM
bine and advance on Bloemfontein, |,
with Brabant guarding the right flank /
with the mobile colonials. This move
ment will be subsequent to securing a