The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-06
And Report the Capture of Several
Wounded Officers, Three Of
Whom Die Later.
Ord ROBERTS INACTIVE
SHOWS NO DISPOSITION TO LEAVE
BLOEMFONTEIN.
Probably Perfecting His Campaign
PIans-Precautions Against Sur
prise-Boers Shipping Patrols.

LONDON, April 6, 5 a. m.--The War OF
flee issued no news yesterday. and little
was allowed to come through from the cor
respondents at Bloemfontein. Although
Coloner Plumer is reported to have got
within six miles of Mafeking, it is evident
that the siege had not been raised on April
/. Toward the end of this month Colonel
Plumer will be reinforced by the troops
now going by way of Beira, so that re-
lief cannot be far distant.
The Times publishes the following from
Wepener, dated Wednesday, April 4: 1.-The
Beers are sniping our patrols. A party Of
blindfolded Beers was brought in with the
following message: L am here with sew
eral thousand burghers, and in the cause
Of humanity and to save such dreadful
sacrifice of life as occurred in the last bat
tie. 1 demand your immediate surrender
This was signed Banks. General The
party was sent back with the answer, No
reply
General Brabant's force is here and will
give some trouble to any body Of Beers
likely to attack us.
The Bloemfontein correspondent of the
Times, telegraphing Wednesday, says:
1.-The Beers showed in some force yester-
day, with three guns, toward Bushman
kop. Detached groups skirmished up to
our outposts, but this morning shows that
the enemy desire to sweep further round
to the right of Bloemfontein. Early to-day
artillery fire in the south was audible
The Bloemfontein correspondent of the
Daily Mail says: General Clements's di-
vision, 5000 strong. has arrived from the
arl haS
north of the city. after a continuous march
for a fortnight. There is no danger of a
water famine here. An unimportant en-
gagement lasting several hours was fought
yesterday afternoon at Bosnian kop be-
tween the Boer and British outposts. At a
meeting of the Army Temperance Associa-
tion Monday Lord Roberts made speech
urging the soldiers to join the association
He eulogized their splendid work. adding
that the etnire army had been members of
the association while along the Modder
river, as water was all they had to drink
and sometimes there was very little of
that
According to the Standards representa-
tive there is no sign that the Beers intend
taking the offensive. General Clements is
so disposing of his forces as to guard
againgt any surprise attack, which, al
though improbable. is not regarded as i'm
possible. judging from the preparations of
Lord Roberts.
AS usual, whenever there is any check
in the progress of the British campaign,
the War Office is being severely censured
for failing to maintain the necessary supply
of remounts for the army. 1t is possible
Lord Roberts has difficulties other than
remounts with which to contend.
Much anxiety is felt as to the water sup
ply, despite the statements cabled home
that there is no fear of a water famine.
Whatever the reasons may be, consider
able dissatisfaction is beginning to be ex-
pressed at the unaccountable delay both
al Bloemfontein and in Natal, which en-
ables the Beers to recover from the de-
moralization caused by Lord Roberts s
former rapid movements.
The enemy now evidently hope to retard
the advance by threatening the railway be-
hind Lord Roberts. So far as the Natal
railways are concerned, repairs are being
made beyond Elandslaagte. and the idea,
so often repeated, is that an advance is
imminent.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph from
Ladysmith says that the Boer investing
positions reveal immense strength, inge-
NOUS construction and immunity from the
British shrapnel and lyddite fire.
A dispatch from Ladysmith to the Daily
Chronicle gives serious news of the out
break of a deadly lung disease among the
oxen. which, after it spreads. is likely to
Pill
From Lourenzo Marques comes the re-
port that Mr.. Steyn has been appointed
commandant of the Free State forces.
Rudyard Kipling has returned to Cape
Town.