The Topeka state journal., 1900-04-20
News is Meagre Owing to Strict
Censorship.
As Thought to Indicate That
Roberts Advance Has Begun.
FEVER AT MAFEKING
Is Decimating the Ranks OF the
Besieged Garrison.
They Are Asked to Hold Out
Until May 20.

London. April 2O.-11:15 a. ma spe-
cial dispatch from Bloemfontein under
yesterdays date says firing is reported
to be in progress south of Karee siding
six miles north of Glen The strehsln
of the Beers is not known. The British
infantry supported by artillery hold
strong position on a large dam.
MAY BE ROBERTS ADVANCE
London. April 2O.-1:5O p. m.-The re-
port of the fighting at Karee Siding
six miles north of Glen, contained IN d
special dispatch from Bloemfonteln To-
day may be the first news of the pro-
gress of the British advance in Pretoria
but even if this were only an unlm-
portant skirmish there are many other
indications that Lord Roberts IS elther
starting or has already started for the
northern goal. A dispatch from Cape
Town under today's date says:
THE censorship restrictions have been
greatly increased owing to the move
ments of the troops"
All the dispatches bear traces of the
strenuous efforts of the correspondents
to give their papers an inkling OF what
is afoot.
The Beers south of BloemfOntein are
reported to be retreating. Large com
mands were seen April 19, near Thaba
N Gnu. moving TO the IOIln- L AiUAi PiC
gress was slow, however, owing to the
terrible condition of the country. BY
way of Pretoria comes report that
fever is decimating the Mafektng garrl-
son and a letter from the mayor OF
Mafeking says Lord Roberts asked Col.
Baden-Powell to hold out until May 20.
Cecil Rhodes returns to Cape Town
tomorrow. The announcement of his de-
parture was unexpected. Never has
man so prominently connected with the
vital questions of the day paid such
quiet visit to London. 1t is learned that
the so called empire maker" came to
England purely on business connected
with the big chartered South Africa
company and the De Beers mines COM
pany. He has accomplished his objects
and hating inactiOn and not wishing to
meet people, or freely express his views,
has suddenly determined to return to
South Africa. where he will watch the
interests Of these two companies. Mr..
Rhodes has absolutely refused to be in
terviewed though privately he has ex-
pressed scathing comments on several
of the generals still holding commands
at the front. Lady Gatacre will be a fell
low passenger of Mr.. Rhodes. She is
going as far as Madeira to meet her
husband. the British general who has
been sent back to England.
EVERYTHING HELD BACK.
New York, April 20.-A special to the
Tribune from London says a complete
embargo upon war news leaves the press
l.
Roberts commentaries upon the un-
successful battles of British generals.
The charge is made that Gen. Methuen's s
report of the battle of Magersfontein
was accompanied by a criticism from
Gen. Roberts which has been suppressed
by the war office. If this has been done,
IL is possible that the queens wishes
have been respected. Gen Metheun has
been a favOrite at court and the queen
was highly pleased with his work in
organizing the jubilee parade 1t is not,
however. the practice of the queen to in
tertere with the functions of any de-
partment of the public service and it
is not probable that she has made Gen.
Methuen's case an exception to her gen
eral rule Lord Lansdowne and Gen.
Methuen are warm friends The selec-
tion of the guards general as a division
commander was probably due to Lord
Lansdowne's preference and the strict
ureS upon his conduct may have beer
suppressed on that account 1t is not a
foregone conclusion that Gen Roberts
commented upon Methuens report. Such
controversial points as We're raised were
considered rather than living sores and
Gen. Roberts may not have considered
II either necessary or eXpedient to dis
cuSs them. Gen. Methuen has not beer
sent home like Gen. Gatacre but he has
been taken out of the fighting line apC
has not been overwhelmed with proofs
of affection and favoritism. Genera
Methuen moreover has three victories
10 his credit and deserves consideration
on that account.
Army officers can not complain tha
they nave been vigorously disciplined
during the campaign. There have beer
many failures and mistakes but Cat
acre is the only general relieved of com
mand and Col Crofton is the only mino
otlcer relieved from the active list an,
placed on half pay. Gen. Butler and Gen
warren are not expected by their friend
10 remain in Natal after being pubIicl-
exposed to censure from Lord Roberts
is a d Nfa-fn s..ss ~ =,
feel keenly the injustice of being re
moved from command in Natal after hi
success in relieving Ladysmith But hi
recall is looked for in military circles
Gen. Warren has been highly respect
ed in South Africa and Cecil Rhode
has been one of his warm persona
friends, but he has never been popllla
among the Aldershot set, and is neithe
courtier nor a carpet knight. Ger
w arren without doubt knows NOR
about south Africa than any other Brit
1sh soldier except Sir EVELYN Wood br
he can not get on with the other erar,
erals. Clery will naturally succeed hir
unless Gen. Kitchener is promoted an
sent to Natal but this is hardly proh
aple- some experts suggest that Ger
RoDerts comments on the Spion Ko
affair were suppressed long enough +
enable Gen. Butler to set himself RICH
by relieving Ladysmith and that thor
VIII be second commentary on IN
Hilal chapter OF the campaign which wi
be complimentary to Butler and win or
able him to remain in Natal
Gen. Roberts seems to hold every mi
ltary reputation in South Africa in m
hollow of his hand. The war Office ma
exercise suspensive veto but wher
ever Gen. Roberts opinion is known n
nation and army adopt it and there
10 appeal from it.
News from all sources is so rnea Or,
that it is scarcely necessary to preser
a summary of il.
Much is going on and the Wepene
affair is not ended, but the censor
keeping everything back
The Dutch ENJOYS have taken Hollan