New-York tribune., 1900-05-17
THE FATE OF M4FEKING.
LONDON RELIEVED BY AN OFFICIAL
PORTUGUESE DISPATCH

Copyright: 1910: BY The New-York Trihune1
tBY CABLE TO TRIBUSEl
London. MAY IL 1 a. m.-Mafeking is the word
trembling on every ones lips, and London is
ready TO blossom out with streamers and bunt-
ing the moment news of the resc1e of the garri-
son comes. The protracted and brilliant defence
Of the British garrison. the mystery enveoping
the relief column and the runlors of desperate
fighting on Saturday and Sunday have concen-
trated public attention upon this single point on
the western frontier until the resumption of
General Robertss march. the direction of Gen
erai Buffers second advance and the extent of
General Rundle's success IN securing the eastern
stretches of the Free State incidents of lit
tie Importance. The Boer accounts have re-
mained maze Of contradictions. but dispatch
based upon Portuguese official information
states that the besiegers were repulsed in their
attack upon the town, and that their losses
heavy This telegram was dated yesterday, and
tended to reassure even the pessimists who
were ready TO believe the alarming reports from
Pretoria. The details Of this engagement
lacking, but 1t is generally believed that the
Beers ordered final assault upon the town
either in consequence of the approach of the
relief column from the necessity of abandon
ing the siege and Joining Botha's army.
q
rumors and conjectures respecting the fate Of
the garrison and the progress OF the relief col
unn, but there is little authentic informa tion
The generally accepted theory among military
men is that the movement of Hunters division
was designed primarily to occupy the attention
of the Boer force at Fourteen Streams and en-
able a mounted relief column with convoy to
60 north by long detour, and that secondary
object the march up the Vaal toward
Potchefstroom in cooperation with Roberts's
advance
General Robertss force is still halting but
Preparations for advance nearly finished.
He has reported fresh white flag outrage in
which eight British soldiers were suddenly at
tackled by sixteen Beers near Kroonstad
Press dispatches continue TO record the harass-
Ing warfare 70 which Rumble and Brabant are
subjecting Olivier's scattered forces. The Brit
ish line now stretches across the Free State to
Ladybrand and is sweeping northward.
General Butler has reported the occupation OF
Glencoe and the complete evacuation of Big
garsberg by the Beers
1t is estimated that the Dutch force which has
retreated is four thousand with eighteen guns
The London press is printing short dispatches
from Aew-Hork respecting the reception of the
Boer delegates. but is not taking a serious view
OF their work in America nor saying much
about il. The annexation OF both republics is a
foregone conclusion. and there will be neither
peace negotiations any opportunities for
mediation.
The Australian Confederation excites much
discussion in and out Of Parliament Mr. Cham
berlain does not receive much credit for his man
agement Of this question. The Unionists are
bringing pressure to bear upon the Government
20 compromise the dispute over the Court of Ap-
peal, but IL is difficult 10 perceive how this can
be done. Mr.. Chamberans critics assert that
ne ought TO have presented the Commonwealth
bill without amendment and at the same time
brought forward project for an Imperial Court
Of Appeal LNF
DECEIVED BY THE WHITE FLAG AGAIN.
TWO BRITISH SOLDIERS KILLED AND 9TH
Frs CAPTURED NEAR KRooNsTAD
London, May l6-The War Office posted the
lolic"ing dispatch from Lord Roberts under
CATE Of Kroonsad. May 15
IHo officers and six men Of Prince Alfred's
o,SI while cut foraging yesterday a few
= ',es iroin hrconstad. had visited farm flying
re-, H,,s nag, the owner OF which surrendered
eIi, an, win arms and ammunition. They then
ee eeao1Ds.eo another farm. also hyiEg a white
So "hti within forty yards of the inclosure
cnn., neis nred upon by fifteen or sixteen Beers
,nen 80 pehlnd the farm wall. Two of the
nsDsiIe ere hileo, Lieutenant Il. b. Walton was
ana Lieutenant w. .. Eyerton and