Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-04-11
POLICY OF TEE B0ERS.
Rapid Movements with but Very
Little Transport.
MADE UP IN STRONG DIVISIONS,

General Brabant Cut on from Communi-
cation with Other British Forces and in
Touch with the Boers-Fight REGARDED
as manifestations Preparing I'd lank
the British Position at Wepener--Their
Amazing Activity.
London, April 9.-The Beers, who
were massed last week near Lady
brand, to the number of 10000, after
Selling Thaba N'Chu and the Modder
river waterwOrks, broke up into strong
divisions, and they are now raiding
IN the south Of the Free State, re0c-
cupying the small towns which were
evacuated by the British. The Beers
policy seems to be to make rapid move
ments, with little transport footing
English farmers and storekeepers free
~ for provisions and cutting the COM
munications of the British forces.
Brabant's splendid Force.
General Brabants colonials are now
mostly at Wepener. They are splen-
did force, capable OF great striking
power and used to cross country rid
ing and are able to deal roughly with
the BOer commanders, now roaming
about the country. A squadron of
Brabant's horse captured 400 rifles
near Wepener His outpOsts are re-
ported to be in touch with the Beers
and a fight Is regarded as imminent
Persistent reports are being circulated
that the Beers are preparing to flank
the British position at Wepener and
thus to secure entrance into Basuto-
Land. Such an attempt will be resist
ed by the BasutOland government,
which, it is believed, has made quiet
preparations.
Activity Of tho Beers.
The amazing activity Of the Beers
southeast and southwest of BloemfOn-
tein continues, the Boer commands
seemingly coming and going through
out a wide region as they please, but
taking good care not to throw them
selves against strong bodies OF the
British The retirement of the Irish
rifles from Rockville to Aliwal leaves
General Brabant without cOmmunica-
ton with the other British forces. He
has 1900 or 1900 colonials holding q
fine defensive country, but he is APP
parently invested, SO far as London
knows Telegraphic and railroad COM
munication with Bloemfontein are kept
up as usual, but nothing comes through
for public consumption. Lord Rob
erts' last message was dated April g..
and the last unofficial message bore
date Of April Z. The absence of news,
as usual, disheartens the people and
produces an altogether dlscouraging eff
feet.
Has 1900 Mounted Men. 4
The last unofficial message notes
that good spirits at BlOemfOntein are
continuing and tells Of the arrival OF
animals and two fresh cavalry regi-
ments. Lord Roberts has now $1,000
mounted men altogether. In the
Orange Free State the situation is COM
pick, with scanty material for form
| ing a correct estimate Of the situation,
and the afternoon newspapers not be-
| ing In the confidence Of the managers,
are criticizing the conduct of affairs as
they see them. Thus the st. James
Gazette, reviewing the army system.
says:
'As consequence Of the foolish,
sporting, boysh estimate of the work
of the war, General Butler Is anchored
indefinitely, as he must wait for trans
ports until Lord Roberts is adequately
supplied"