The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-10

LONDON. April 1O.-GeneraI Brabant
and his $500 Colonial troops at Wepener.
on the Basutoiand frontier, are in fierce
battle with three commandos Of Beers to-
day The 2shting began yesterday morn
ing. continued an day. and was resumed
this morning.
The losses have been heavy on both
sides. According 70 British dispatches the
Beers we're repulsed in yesterdays attack.
but the burghers have rushed re-enforce-
mcnts from all directions and have renew
"a the assault.
Wepcner Is sixty miles southeast Of
BloemfonJein. The Beers have. within the
last few days. surrounded General Bra
bants force and demanded his surrender.
The withdrawal Of the Irish Rifles to
Aliwal North left Brabant cut of from
communication with all the other British
forces. His Colonials are well posted for
defence and he has large guns placed in
commanding positions.
The Beers began yesterdays battle with
desperate courage, and brought rapid-fre
guns as well as heavy artillery into pay.
They were met by the British. and General
Brabant's guns played havcc in the ranks
CT the burghers. They were not daunted
by their losses. however, but kept up TIE
fighting until nightfaU
AT the beginning OF the action the Boe-S
opened with q Vickers- Maxim gun that did
considerable execution at first TIE British
artillery soon got the range OF the Boer
position and sent a telline fire into the
ranks or The attacking burghers.
The Boer commando. that occupied
BouXville after the retirement OF the Brit
isa from that place was rushed to Wep-
ener TO help in the assault. From De Vets
Iorp another large force Of Beers was hur-
Tied forward. This commando is eztl-
mated 20 number 1900 men. and has foar
guns. The three Boer commardos form a
force that greatly outnumbers General
BrabaUt's $500 ColouiaIs.
Heavy lists OF dead and wounded are
looked for as soon as fun details OF the re-
suits are sent through English CORE
spon3euts az hliwal North and Bloemfon-
tein profess 10 be confident that General
Brabant can hold Wepeuer against any
force the Beers can send against him as
the place is well adapted for de'erce and
the British commander has his guns well
placed. The town is fully provisioned 20
Withstand a long seige. But the Boer4 are
evidently determined to capture the place
and are bringing an Overwhelming force
up for the purpose.
A despatch from the Boer lager at
Brandfort, dated April ., SAYS.
General De Wet yesterday attacked q
British cavalry column close TO De Wet's
Borp and totally defeated it, He-captured
nearly 800 prisoners and large convoy of
wagons containing ammunition and food.
lThis probably refers to the capture of the
five companies at Reddersburg.I The Boer
losses we're small while those OF The Brit
ish were heavy.
The country east and south Of BIoem-
fontein is now in the hands OF the Federal
troops"
Sir Godfrey Lagden- the British High
Commissioner in Basutoland, has gone TO
meet the paramount chief with the inten-
tion Of proceeding to the border in the
vicinity % the fighting at Wepener
The Free Staters in the vicinity OF Ali
val North, who took the oath Of allegiance
10 Great Britain prescribed by Lord Rob
erts are now rejoining the Boer comman-
dos Similar reports are coming in from
Phiiippoiis and FauTesmith.