Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-03-16

= INC native Popuiatlon is starving.
3 General French at BIoemfonteIn.
t CAPE Town, Tuesday, March IL
(eyenlng).-General French has ar.
rived at Bloemfontein.
u. s. rs Mediator.
LONDON, March 13.-The United
e States Government, at the request OF
President Kruger and President
Steyn, has offered to the British
Government its services rs mediator
r with the view of bringing about
, peace in South Africa.
Lord Salisbury has not yet replied,
but there is little doubt he will de-
f cline the United States good offices.
He will do so, however, in terms as
cordial and polite as those in which
the offer was couched.
y WASHINGTON, March I4.-The
) answer of Lord Salisbury to the mes
sage from Presidents Kruger and
) Steyn, which was transmitted
through our Government, was re-
ceiyed at late hour last night by
Secretary Hay, through Mr.. White,
orr charge at London. As already
indicated in London dispatches, the
answer is u decliuatiou of the APP
peal.
| Roberts on the Move
VENTER's VLBI, ORANGE FREE
STATE, March 13.-Lord Roberts is
making rapid progress in his march
on Rloemfontein. His army left
Aasvogel kop this morning, preced-
ed by cavalry, and marched to this
place, distance of about Is miles
The army has been following Kaal
spruit. 1t is now rather to the south
OF Bloemfontein, about 10 miles off
BY advancing along Kaal sprint
Lord Roberts has outwitted the Beers
who had entrenched themselves along
the Modder river, thinking his route
would be In that direction. Most of
the farms along the line of march
were deserted. White flags were fly-
ing over the houses. There were
signs that the occupants bad left in
great hurry. Strict orders against
looting have been given.
The British forces which since the
lighting at Dreifontein have boon
marching rapidly hither have turned |
the Boer position. The cavalry are |
ahead.
The Beers were reported this
morning about $4,000 strong with
Is guns,in position on range of |
koples commanding the direct road
to Bloomfontein. This road Lord
Roberts avoided.
LONDON, March 14-2 p. MA
few hours should bring important
dispatches from Lord Roberts. No
word has come from Bloemfontein
to-day, although sharp fighting is be.
lleved to have occurred since the
Commander-in-chief was last heard
of. London confidently expects the
occupation of the Orange Free State
capital will occur today, as previous.
ly forecasted.
Judging from the lack of news
everything is quiet in Natal while
from Herschel comes the statement
that the total collapse of the insur-
gent colonists is imminent.
Boer Women To Fight
A cablegram from Berlin to the
New York Journal says:
"Advices received here confirm the
report that the Boer women are pre-
pairing to defend Pretoria to the bit {
.er end. I
at is believed that 10000 women !
Will be armed before another week
s passed.
"rhat the Boer women are good
hots rs we'll known and their cour- f
zee has been shown on many occa- a
ions during the war. They have
ought in the trenches IN several pla-
es." Many women who are report
o to be good shots are among the
Soer prisoners arriving in Cape +
Town. o
To Napoleon's Prison.
Diillsu MILITARY authorities have
ecided that General Cronje and the =
Their Boer prisoners shall be sent :,
Immediately to the Island of St.
telena, there TO remain until the Il
nd of the war. t.
Since the melancholy life and S
cath of Napoleon on st. Helena, re-
allied In the old lines: .,
On the lone barren isle where the wild RI
roaring pillows a
Assaii the stern rocks, and the dark tc
tempests rave, \
ur hero lies sleep, while the dew droop- -
ing willows b.
Like sad. weeping mourners watch I'll
over his grave"
lere has been in the minds of m
len thought of repugnance to the b,
'signment of brave soldiers TO such Sc
place of desolation. m
Better Than a Dead General. IL
The Beers thought it perfectly % %