Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-03-23
GIVE UP THEIR ARMS.
Beers Offer No Opposition to Kitch-
ener's Advance.
THEY SURRENDER TOWN OF PRIESKA
Many Prisoners and Guns Are Cap-
tured-Steyn Makes nm Ugly Threat
-Burghers Fly White Flags
on Their Farms.

tSlli, IueSudy, MdTcn ":
Kitchener occupied Prieska yesterda.
| unopposed. The rebels surrendered theil
arms. The Transyaalers escaped across
the river. Mr.. Steyn is circulating a no
tice, by means of dispatch riders, in reply
to my proclamation, to the effect that any
burgher who signs declaration that he
will not fight against us again will be
treated as traitor and shot. The Bloem-
: fontein people are affording US every as
sistance in the matter of hospital accom-
modations. We have consequently beer
able to arrange for 500 beds Thirty-three
prisoners were taken at Prieska, 200 stands
of arms and some supplies and explosives
The Beers have begun to surrender on the
, Basutoland frontier"
Farmers Fly White Flags.
London, March la dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Donkerspoort, dated
Monday, March 10, says:
"a reconnaissance toward Philippolis
Is miles west of Springfontein, found the
farms all flying white flags. The British
troops were cordially received. 1t is re-
ported that Mr.. Steyn is trying to rally
the Beers, but the latter say they have had
enough"
To Be Treated as Crown Colonies.
London, March 21.-While there is a
lull in the military operations, the pres
ent surroundings of the war show in
teresting developments. The colonial
office has telegraphed to Cape Town
the text of the proclamation concern
ing the destruction of property. This
will not be published in London until
after its PRONUNCIATION in South Africa,
but it is known it will convey an init
nation that any wanton destruction
of British property during the war will
be regarded as warranting claim for
compensation, and as justifying a
levy upon private property, should the
resources of the Transvaal republic
prove inadequate.
The fact that the proclamation is is
sued by the colonial Office is regarded
as a significant Indication that the re-
publics will be administered as crown
colonies. In this connection it is I'M
derstood that the leaders of the oppo-
sition in parliament now admit that no
other settlement is possible, since the
republics insist upon their demand for
absolute independence.
Beers Blow Up Bridges.
Cape Town, March 21. - The Beers
have blown up the bridges north of
Bloemfontein, including those at Win
burg and Kroonstadt, and are now re-
treating to the north.
Russia Against England.
Berlin, March 81. - The ST. Peters
burg correspondent of the Lokal An
zeiger telegraphs that the minister of
foreign affairs has prepared an official
commui;s,.s.1ss.sich will be published
within the next day or two. 1t con-
tains Russia's answer to President
Kruger's request for intervention.
The communique has been drawn up
with the knowledge and consent of
France and Germany and has received
the full approval of the car.
As regards its contents, all that the
correspondent has been able to learn
is that the note is directed, with due
precautions, against England, and its
tone is very serious and will certainly
not fail to make deep impression.
Chamberlain to Threaten.
London, March 21. = In the house of
commons Tuesday the parliamentary
secretary of the war Office, George
Wyndham, said the secretary of state
for the colonies, Joseph Chamberlain,
was about to issue proclamation on
the subject of the alleged threats of
the Beers to destroy johannesburg and
as to what the Beers may expect in the
event of wanton destruction of British
property.
Germany VIII Object.
New York, March 21.-Much con-
Germ is being shown by the German
government in the threat made by
Montagu White that Beers will de-
stroy Johannesburg to prevent it be-
ing made the base of the British oper-
ations against Pretoria. The Berlin
authorities will strongly oppose such
action because of the damage which
will be done to the property owned
by Germans.
In accordance with the instructions
of his government. Baron Won Hole
ben, German ambassador at Washing
ton, has gone so far as to sound the
United States touching its views OF
Mr.. Whites threat. 1t is not thought
that the United States will take any
action or join in any representations
to the Boer government on the sub
ject. If Germany wishes to prevent
the city from being RACED to the
ground, it is said, she should herseli
make representations to the belliger
ents. The interests of the United
States in johannesburg are compare
lively small, while Germany is largely
interested in the mines there.
In view of Germany's inquiries OF
the subject, it is thought not unlike
ly that she will make an effort her
self, if she is unable to induce other
powers to join with her, to have the
belligerents to agree to protect for
eign property in johannesburg al
| least
Competition Open to World.
st. Paul, Mimi. March 81. - The Ma
| tional Educational association, through
| the National Council of Education
has offered $1,000 in prizes for the bes
essays on seating, lighting, heating ant