Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-01
BULLER'S TURN.
He Captures Peters Hill with
Sixty Prisoners.
Takes An Important Step Toward the
Relief Of Ladysmith.
Cronje Sent 10 Cape Town-Brilish Casualties
TO Dale. 1894.

London. March 1.-4.15 A. M.-Gen.
Rulicr's distinct success in storming
Peters hill brings the rescue Of Lady
smith near but the war office intima-
ted, late last evening, that an immedi-
ate announcement of relief need not be
expected. The goings to and fro at
midnight Of officials and messengers
suggested that important news had
been received. If this We're the case,
Lord LansdoWne obviously desired to
sleep on it. before taking the public
into his confidence.
AS his message reveals. Gen. Buffers
successful attack came after the hard
lighting Of Friday and it was improvis-
I'd and its execution began during the
armistice Of Sunday. In proposing the
armistice. the British commander stip-
ulatcd that both sides should be free
TO move, but that neither should do any
shooting. He was, therefore. without
his privileges in Immediately beginning
TO transfer his troops.
Gen. Buffers tidings come weighted
with his long list Of casualties. His
losses. in the four attempts to get Gen.
White out, aggregate 1000 men.
Ladysm't tn is in desperate straits. Mr..
Charles Williams the military expert.
says h learns on very high authority
presumably that Of Lord Wolsley-
that Gen. Whites force is almost at
its last gasp
This is not 50 much,' says Mr.. Will
liams. "on account Of any lack Of pro
visions or Of ammunition, neither of
which is exhausted. as because of the
poisonous waters of the Kip river and
the evil effects Of the heat on the ter
rain, in which the garrison must re-
side. Even those who have escaped
fever. dysentery and diarrhea are in a
state Of low vitality. They can still
man trenches and would probably hold
their own against a last desperate as
sault: but they can initiate nothing
Gen. Butler now knows that. as units,
the regiments will be Of no use to him
for months.
The water of the Kip river is not
available for drinking. and TO boil it il
impossible because of the scarcity of
fuel. 1t is thick with putrid animal
matter. Tea made of it has a sus-
pended fibre. something like beef tea
1t is caused by the sewerage from the
BJcr camps"
Mr.. Williams adds that when news
like this passes under the thumb of
the censor il more than offsets what
ever jolly news may be photographed
from Ladysmith.
There is no authoritative indication
yet of what Lord Roberts will do next
It seems likely that q branch railway
Will De built across the veldt to lessen
the difficulties Of transport. Col. Gil
rouard, who built the Soudan railway.
Il with Lord Roberts. The strain on
the western railway is seen from the
fact that the population of Kimberley
two weeks after the relief, continues
IN reduced rations. Lord Roberts
.roops have thus far only been partial
~ fed.
1t is quite clear to technical heads
hat those who talk of an immediate
ana rapid advance far into the Free
State do not realize the transport con
litionS. The Beers, a. it now appears,
nave built a railway from Harrismith
% Kroomstadt to facilitate the move
ment Of their troops between Natal
ana the Free State.
Mafeking was holding out. Feb. 16.
At that time the Beers We're showing
unusual activity and firing inflammable
hells.
The Beers who hold positions south
# the Orange River have been weak
ned.
Lieut.. BarontZen writing on behalf
f himself and of other Scandinavian
prisoners, aflirms that there are no
nercenaries in the Boer army and no
-olunteers who receive a penny for
heir services.