The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
And His Army May he Constantly Har-
assed III He Fails to Strike
Decisive Blow.
CASUALTIES ON SATURDAY
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE FIGHT
FORWARDED BY ROBERTS.
story that Reichman Led the BOcrs
Receives Little Credence-CrOnje
En- Route to st. Helena.


has yet been received of the expected bat
There is now but remote prospect of the
recapture of the gnus. This, however, is
regarded as quite trifiing compared with
the political effects of the disaster. AS the
Bloemfontein correspondent of the Times
remarks. Commandant Oliviers strategy in
reoccupying Ladybrand and Thabanchu
was bold and even brilliant. Most of his
force is composed of Free Staters, and the
advantage gained by them will have a
most disturbing effect on the mind of the
Free State population.
The impossibility of effectine complete
protection for the moment to all farmers
in the south and southeast sections of the
Free States is recognized at Bloemfontein.
Men who surrendered under the proclama-
tion of Lord Roberts are now being pun
ished for the reliance they placed in the
ability of the British to protect them. AS
the correspondent further remarked, "this
is hard fate and every possible effort
will be made to help them, but considera-
tion for the sufferings of repentant belliger-
ents at the hands of their fellow-country-
men cannot be suffered to prejudice the
m1ntary plans OF lOrQ ROBERTS.
The Daily Telegraph, which takes more
humane view, says: "It is just as impor-
tant to protect those burghers who have
trusted to our power and surrendered all
means of defending themselves as II is to
win victories against those who are still
in arms"
The Daily Chronicle, whose Cape Town
correspondent joyfully predicted that the
war would be over in three months. says:
''In order to re-establish our position in
| the Free State we need brilliant success
won on the scene of our latest reverse"
1t is announced from Springfontein that
| the censorship has again curtailed the dis
patches. Therefore important develop
ments must be impending.
The British public is reluctant to believe
| that an American led the Boer forces which
attacked the convoy. The Daily Chronicle
says: "Reichman may be, like some other
Americans, in sympathy with the Beers.
| He may even have unofficially advised the
Boer commandant, although this would
have been exceedingly improper, but We
cannot think he would take the command
| without previously resigning his American
| commission"
| Spencer Wilkinson, discussing the attack
| on Colonel Broadwood's detachment in the
| Morning Post, says: 1.-The attack was we'll
planned and well executed. Colonel Broad
wood, however, skillfully evaded the stroke
| aimed at him. Possibly Lord Roberts has
retired his infantry with view of encour-
| aging the Beers to advance and to continue
their attack. Probably nothing would suit
| him better than that they should attempt
| to move toward the railway or to attack in
| the direction of Bloemfontein. He is col
| lecting remounts and stores in order to be
| in readiness for a renewal of general ad-
vance, and he will not be drawn away. If
| the Beers venture too near they will receive
| punishment.
| The Cape Town correspondent of the
| Times, telegraphing Monday, says: "Appar-
| emily there was not a man ahead of the
| convoy with orders to look out, but the es-
| cort trotted quietly behind and only dis
| covered that something was wrong after
| half the convoy had been captured"
| The correspondent of the Times at Lou
renzo Marques telegraphing Tuesday. says;
1T is reported here that all the Rand
| mines closed down last Thursday. Their
| workmen and their countrymen in other
4 parts OF the republic are DtiuS eApcittu
| wholesale from the Transvaal. On the other
hand. the Beers are so demoralized that il
is impossible TO induce many now on fur
Tough to return TO the front. They are gen
| orally adverse TO the defending of Biggars-
berg and are divided with reference TO the
! wisdom of continuing the war. President
Kruger has prevailed on Mr.. Steyn to make
one big stand before surrendering.
There is little news from other points
Mafeking was still besieged on March 2
and there are rumors that General Butler
is preparing TO advance.
~ dispatch from Pretoria announces the
arrival there of twenty-eight prisoners
| mostly residents of Ladybrand. who were
seized when the Beers forced the British
| to evacuate that place.
The German liner Koenig has agar
reached Lourenzo Marques. this time hav
ing on board 257 passengers bound for tn,
| Transvaal.