The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-22
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The news from TIE Sun correspondent a.
Pretoria about the gathering OF the commander
at Kroonstad Is decidedly interesting. and
somewhat discounts the many rumors that
have been afioat Of the encouragement OF the
Boers and their leaders. The addresses OF the
two Presidents tend rather to show that the re-
ply OF Lord Salisbury 10 their overtures for peace
has stifYened the backs OF the wavering. and do
termlned all 10 continue In resistance. Presi-
dent Steyn's warning to the Free State burghers
not to lay down their arms In the belief that
tho assurances In Lord Roberts's proclamation
would be- carried out. strikinRly illustrates tho
complete mistrust with which the Beers bad
come TO regefd everything emanating from
tho Colonial Oflce IN London and Sir Alfred
Miner. The British High Commissioned at
Cape Town. Their rnistrust will not DO fes-
sened when they learn that Notwithstanding
the ASSURANCES given BY Dir Alfred Miner to
those Dutch Afrlkanders In the Cape Colony
who took no part In the partial rising
there, numbers OF them are being arbitrarily
arrested and detained without trial on the de-
nunoiation OF Kafir servants. and property and
stock oonfscated by the patrols and scouts
belonging 20 the Colonial forces. So serious 10
the situation in the Cape Colony becoming
through the disorganizstton OF business and
the social relations OF the different sections OF
the population that many. even OF the loyal
lists. are demanding the recall OF Sir Alfred
Miner as an indispensable condition OF the
restoration OF confidence and permanent peace
In South Africa
Although no indications are given OF tho
whereabouts Of the main body OF the Dosr
army they may be assumed 20 DO behind q line
drawn from Bloemhof on the vaal River to the
southeastward somewhere about Ficksburg
near the Basuto border. with strong outposts
TO observe tho British movements. The result
OF what fighting has taken place at the CROSS
ing OF the Wal River at Fourteen Streams n
uncertain. but a Pretoria report says that o
small British force Is at Christiana on the
north bank OF the yaal River about
thirty.fve miles northeast OF Warren
ton. Below Christiana there are several
crossings on the Vaal. the principal being
Blisnaut's Ferry and zoutpsn's Drift. A Pre-
toria despatch states that Col. Plumer's force
for the relief OF Mafekiug is unable to advance
beyond Lobatsi. which leaves the fate Of the
b~elea8uered garrison still doubtful. Among
the important captures made by the British in
the south OF the Free State IL that Of Con.
Grobelaar. who was found wounded In q farm
house near Donkerspoort. above Norvais Pont.
He was one OF the best Of the fighting Generals
In the operations south II OF the Orange River.
From a stateme nt In q despatch OF Mondays
date from Bloemfontein. that the telegraph line
was working to ReddersburR. which 10 about
thirty miles southeast Of the capital. It would
seem that part OF the southeastern corner OF
the Free State IL still uncontrolled BY the Brit
ish. This is also indicated In a report that a
commando is still holding out in the hills be-
tween Rockville and the Basuto border.