The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-26
Beers Evaouats All Their Positions
South Of the vaal-ROberts and
Hamilton Are Together.
BURGHERS ARE QUARRFLING
Among Themsslves-All News Sup
pressed-Kruger win Retire to
1ydenburg-PIenty of Food.

Thursday, at 6:ib p. M, was thhl '"e
British were rapidly advancing. Gen-
orat Hamilton had effected n junction
with Lord Roberts. The country in
front of them was clear of Beers to
yiljocns Drift. The Beers were evaeu-
attng all their positions south OF the
yaal river and five thousand had al
ready crossed to the north bank.
Probably General French's cavalry is
already accomplishing the fords OF the
vaal.
War office observers expect that the
next dispatch from the field marshal
viii be dated in sight of the Trunsvaal
frontier. Mr.. Bennett Burleish, wiring
to the Daily Telegraph from Vredefort
Thursday evening, said Lord Roberts
would doubtless cross the Vaal river on
saturday or Sunday The British out
posts were then at Erste Geluk, nine
miles north Of vredefort, and twenty
six miles south of the vaal river The
railway is much damaged.
Bosr Movements Mysterious
While the British in overwhelming
force are thus rapidly approaching the
Transvaal, the movements of the Beers
are enveloped in mystery. The last
pretoria newspaper to reach Lourenzo
Marques was a week old. Every one
seeking to cross the Portuguese border
from the Transvaal is searched for
newspapers and letters. Dispatches
and mall letters containing even harm
less references to the war are suppress
ed; and the only news that has emerg-
ed from the Transvaal during the last
ten days has come by word of mouth.
According to these oral reports. yes
terday, the Beers were qunrreling
among themselves. Transvoal paper
money was circulating at so per cent
discount. Becket's firm was giving one
pound in gold for five pounds in pa
per. Ilrouse & Kllnke, the engineers
who opposed the blowing up of the
mines, have been dismissed. Commando
ant Schultz had been appointed to de-
fend johannesburg; and all the Brit
ish subjects had been turned out
Fear the Bridges Will be Destroyed.
The Trunsvanlers fear that the Brit
ish will blow UP the bridge at Komati
Poort, thus cutting off their supplies
from Delngon Bay; and commando of
1--WE hundred is guarding the bridge
against any such attempt by British
raiders.
1t is reasserted that President Kru-
ger will retire to Lydenburg when fight
ing Is imminent at Johannesburg. and
Pretoria. Concern is expressed at Pre-
toria with reference TO the possibility
that General Darlington may come
down from Rhodesia with five thousand
men to cooperate with as many more
entering the Transvaal by way OF
MafekIng. Horse sickness is said to
have broken out among General Car
rlngton's animals.
Trying to Consolidate South Africa
Mr.. Cecil Rhodes is at BeIr Portu-
guese East Africa.
Mr. Fuller, n member Of the Cape
parliament, who is supposed to be
confidante of Mr.. Rhodes, said In the
course of a speech at Cape Town, yes
terdny, when proposing the health Of
Mr.. Rhodes, that the latter was work
ing to consolidate South Africa from
the Zambesl to Table Bay"
Major Baden-Powell declines to act
on the suggestions of his friends that
he should return to England for rest.
He is determined to retain his active
command at the front Advices from
Mafeking, dated May 20, say;
''The Beers are entrenching at Pol
fonteIn, ten miles east of Mafeking.
The Northern railway is now repaired
to a point within four miles Of the
town. Ample supplies of plain food are
coming in.
colonel Baden.Powell voluntarily
gave up Hfty-three Beers and thirteen
wounded to tho Boer commandant, who
thanked him for his kindness"
The Rebel Natives Attacked.
The Raratongs, stimulated by the
British successes, attacked the rebel
natives at ReitfonteIn, May 10, and
took much loot They released SAM,
the old chief who had rendered good
service to the British in keeping Mafa-
king supplied with news of the Boer OPP
erations.
The railway south Of Mafeking is be-
ing rapidly repaired and the bridge Mt
Tnungs can now be used.
Refugees from Mafeking are passing
through Taungs. bound for the Cape.
Two thousand Beers are near Ficks-
burg, besides small rowing parties that
come into contact with the British
white reconnoitering.
President Steyn was with these Beers
last Monday, organizing and inspirit-
ing them and drafting reculcItrants In
to the service.
British Seizing Supplies and STOCK
The British are sweeping the country
far and wide, SELLING horses, cattle and
grain. Yesterday President SteyH was
reported to be at Bethlehem with
small held force, appealing to the Free
staters to defend their freedom and In
dependence. Apparently he and nll the
N-N