The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-03
A SLOW RETREAT
Beers VIII StubbOrnly Contest.
Roberts Advance.
They Are Accused of Killing
Women at Mafeking.
DIMINISHED RATI0NS
For Nine Thousand People Re-
main in the Town.
How Hamilton Drove the Beers
Out of HOutnek.
DIMINISHED RATIONS

London, May s-Lord Roberts latest
dispatch throws no light on the object
and possibilities of the extensive opera
tions in the neighborhood of Thaba
N'Chu. ore military critic believes the
inference is justified that Lord Rob-
erts' successful attack at Houtnek
threatens the Boer center and puts the
British in a favorable position to crush
the Boer left, which is still facing Gen
eral Rumble at Thaba NChu. or their
right. which is somewhere between
Brandfort and Winburg.
General Ian Hamilton's success at
Houtnek elicits little enthusiasm, as the
critics unanimously pointed out some
time ago that the policy of the Beers
would be one of slow retirement.
Colonel Baden-Powell reported ofh-
cially from Mafeking under date OF
April 20 that all was well there. He
adds:
Thirteen native women tried to get
away during the night of April 10. The
enemy opened fire on them and killed
rine and wounded two. wrote to
Enyman, pointing out that he shells the
native stadt, which is full of women
and children. and that when they are
trying to escape by day the Beers have
captured and fOgged them and sent
them back. and by night they shoot
them down, pretending to mistake them
for night attacks. Snyman has not
replied The proportion of killed and
wounded above speaks for itself"
Other news from Mafeking details the
careful saving of the provisions, and
says there are diminished ratiOns for
g 900 souls within the beleagured town.
The American hospital ship Maine, af-
ter having been inspected by Lady
Randolph Churchill and others of the
committee. sailed from Southampton
for the Cape today
ROBERTS DISPATCH.
London May 3-The war office has
received the following report from
Lord Roberts, under date of Bloemfon-
tein, May 2:
General Hamilton met with consid-
cradle success and drove the enemy out
cf the strong position they had taken
up at Houtnek with comparatively
small loss to us. The Beers dispersed
in several directions, mainly to the
east and north, leaving 26 prisoners in
our hands, including one commandant
and l6 other wounded men. General
Hamilton is now in camp at Jacobs
rust. AS the men needed rest after
fighting seven out of the last ten days,
ordered them to halt for the day.
General Rroadwood's brigade of cav
airy arrived upon the scene in time to
afford valuable assistance by threat
ening the enemy's rear.
During the afternoon General Ian
Hamilton was Joined by General Bruce
HamiltOn's brigade Of infantry. The
enemy admit having Il killed and 40
wounded yesterday. Among the former
was Lieut.. Gunther. a German officer,
belonging to the Fifty-fifth regiment
and among the latter was MaximOff, the
Russian commander of the Foreign le-
giOn. Twenty-One out of 50 of the
enemy's casualties occurred among the
members Of that legion. Two French
men were among the killed.
General Hamilton speaks in high
terms of the good service performed
by the Eighth hussars. under COlOne
Gloves, and made up into a. regiment
of lancers which came into Genera
1iroadwood's brigade and assisted il
making the Beers vacate their posi-
ton The final stroke to the enemy's
rout was given by the Gordons anC
two companies of the Shropshire light
Infantry, who cheered loudly when they
got within 200 yards of the position"
kitchener's horse is also spoken of il
terms OF praise.
FROM THE BOER SIDE.
Pretoria, Wednesday, May Am of
ficial war bulletin issued here reports
that on April 2S the Federals captured
nine prisoners and ten horses east O
Ilaba Menu and that on April 30
British mounted corps appeared neal
Brandfort. The federals attacked then
on two sides and the British retired
Two 1ederalS were wounded and clever
prisoners were taken.
Another account semi-official of tli,
affair says that the Wakkerstrom ant
ErmelO commands had a slxirmish Will
the British near BrandfOrt After :
sharp fight eleven prisoners were takel
and nineteen British were left dead OF
the field. including Capt. Liddy. A few
federals were wounded
The heavy bombardment by the Rfit
lsh has been resumed at Fourteen
Streams.
The correspondent of Reuters Tele
gram Agency in the Boer can,n a
Brandfort, wires that when the Rri+isl
appeared ten miles east of Rrandfort
Gen. DeI-arey ordered a charge on 5O
Beers who drove them back to their e-o
trenchments. The federals found fon
dead on the field and took II prisoner
mostly wounded. including Lieutenan
Crane.
Later in the afternoon Gen. DeTar
learned that the British had forced thei
way 20 miles east Of Brandfort and ea,-
en- miles north of the Modder Ri,Je,
With $50 men DeLarey set out in n,1r
suit Of the British who numbered %,
The forces met in the open country
Snarp engagement followed and III
British retired. AS the Beers had
neavy day they We're not pursued. Tb
1ederals had five men wounded.
An American has been arrested :
connection with the Begbie exDlosion