The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-23
ONLY A RUMOR
MaFEKING AGAIN REPORTED TO
HAVE BEEN RELIEVED.
British War ONCE Is said to Have
Been Notified, but Is Waiting
for Confirmation.
PLUMER HELD AT LoBATsI
WHERE HE IS THREATENED BY A
SUPERIOR FORCE OF BOERs.
Col. Baden-Powelps Only Hope of
succor, Therefore, Rests ON the
Column from the south.
BoER RUM0R OF VICTORY
GATACRE SAID TO HAVE BEEN
ROUTED By OLIvIER's FORCE.
British Are Alleged to Have Suffered
Heavy Losses I'm Killed, wound
ed and Prisoners.
ROBERTS RECEIVING ARMS
MANY FREE SKATERS SURRENDER
ING TO THE BRITISH.
Pretoria Prepared for q Long Siege
No Further Peace Negotiations
-Kruger and Steyn.
British Are Alleged to Have Suffered
Heavy Losses I'm Killed, wound
ed and Prisoners.
ROBERTS RECEIVING ARMS
MANY FREE SKATERS SURRENDER
ING TO THE BRITISH.
Pretoria Prepared for q Long Siege
No Further Peace Negotiations
-Kruger and Steyn.

LONDON, March 3, a. m.-Again there
is a persistent rumor that Mafeking has
been relieved. 1t is even asserted that the
War Office has received dispatch posi-
lively announcing the relief, but that pub
lication OF IL is withheld because the form
of the message admits the possibility of
mistake. The War Office. however, de-
clares that there is no confirmation of the
rumor and that no further news on the
subject is at hand.
No attention Is paid in any quarter to the
wild Boer rumors of Commandant Oliviers
victory over General Gatacre, which are
only designed to revive the dropping spir-
its OF the burghers.
II seems certain that Mafeking's only
chances lie in relief by the column sup
posed to be advancing from the south or
in the possibility that-Cel. Baden-Powell
Is still strong enough to attempt a sortie
with a view Of capturing the Boer guns
at time when Commandant Snyman has
withdrawn his men to oppose Colonel
Plumer's advance.
All the reports regarding the British op-
erations in the Free State continue most
satisfactory.
Spencer Wilkinson, reviewing the general
field operations in the Morning Post, says:
1.-The rumors of Boer victories are not
worth much. but they may serve to remind
Us that for a day or two there has been no
specific account OF General Gatacre's move
ments. 1t is probable that his force Is NOV
ing northward on the east side of the rail-
way. Interest in Mafeking increases in
acuteness. Commandant Snyman evidently
writes highly colored dispatches, which
seems pity. for his tactics are sound.
Lord Roberts is not likely to let the Boer
army escape him. and he is pausing as
to insure, when he next moves, the mobil-
fly and hardness of all his columns By
this time he has taken the measure of all
his generals and troops. and there is not
likely to be any such failure of execution
as occurred during the march on Bloem-
fontein. He will be directing the move
ment Of two, If not three armies, and the
result will probably greatly astonish the
Beers"
Nothing has developed regarding General
Buffers intentions. but it seems hard to
believe that he is again embarking General
warren's division.
BLOODTHIRSTY WOMEN.
1t is reported from Lourenzo Marques
that Pretoria is prepared to stand a siege
Of two years. and that the Boer women.
frantic at the reverses OF the Boer arms,
are entreating to be allowed to shoot the
British officers imprisoned at Pretoria.
1t is also announced from the Transvaal
capital that the Italian government has
declined TO intervene
Winston Churchill. telegraphing from
I.adysmith Thursday, pleads Sor mercy in
dealing with rebels. He says: 1--WE must
not try for our pound OF flesh. No real
conqueror ever lost by clemency, either In
this world or in the next. We have by no
means a monopoly OF right in this quarrel
and our African record does not entail on
Us to judge harshly."
IL has been learned that no new peace
overtures have been made to Lord Sails
bury, are any expected at present by
Great Britain. The telegraphic correspond
ence has been confined to the treatment OF
British prisoners, Lord Salisbury holding
the Presidents OF the South African re-
publics responsible. The question OF the
safety OF johannesburg and the gold mines
there has not been raised. The correspond
ence exchanged between Lord Salisbury
and President Kruger will shortly be given
TO Parliament.
In reply 10 the mayor of Cape Town:
request 10 make "Mafeking relief day. 6
public holiday. Premier Schreiner wrote
MAY the holiday come soon and may
spirit of general good will and kindly con
sideration prevail later"
The Times publishes dispatch from
Lourenzo Marques which quotes Presden
Steyn as saying. at Kroonstad. that tn,
Beers could continue TO struggle for 81,
months longer.
special dispatch from Durham says tn,
town of Pomeroy, thirty miles east O.
Ladysmith. has been burned by the Beers
A British detachment. arriving at Pome
roy as tho Beers evacuated the place
sheiled the burghers. but they succeeded
I'm taking up a strong position In the hill,
with force estimated to number FIVE thou
sand men.
dispatch to the Morning Post, from
Bloemfontein. dated Wednesday, SAYS: -,
deserter reports that the enemy, after re
peated dissensions. has withdrawn from
Brandfort northward. he thinks IL unIlkel,
the Beers win make stand anywher,