The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-13
CRAWLING UP.
Lord Roberts Drawing Nearer
to Bl0emfOntein.
Occupies Position Commanding
Railway Station.
MARCH UNOPPOSED,
He Says, But Reports Big List
of Casualties.
MARCH UNOPPOSED,
Main Body of Beers Are al
Biggarsberg.

London, March 13, 10 a. m.-The war
office has received a dispatch from
Lord Roberts, announcing that after a.
fight with the Boers General French
occupied hills close to the station COM
manding Bloemfontein.
Lord ROBBERS dispatch from Venters
at O'Clock follows:
I directed General French, if there
were time before dark to seize the rail-
way station at Bloemfontein, and thus
secure the rolling stock. At midnight
I-received a. report from him that after
considerable opposition he had been
able to occupy two hills close to the
railway station which commanded
Bloemfontein.
"a brother of President Steyn has
been made a prisoner.
''The telegraphic line leading north
ward has been cut and the railway
broken up.
Il am now starting with the Third
cavalry brigade which I called up from
the Seventh division near Petersburg
yesterday, and the mounted infantry TO
reinforce the cavalry division The
rest of the force will follow as quickly
as possible"
London March 1S, 1905 a. m.-The
war office has received the following
additional dispatch from Lord Roberts:
''VenterS Vel, March II, $50 p. m.-
Our march was again unopposed We
are now about IS miles from Bloem-
fontein. The cavalry division is astride
the railway six miles south of BlOem-
fontein. There are 321 men wounded,
and about so or 20 were killed or are
missing.
Colonel Umphelri has died of his
wounds. Liuetenant Pratt of the Essex
regiment was wounded severely. The
wounds are more serious than usual
owing to the expanding bullets which
are freely used by the Boers.'
JOUBERT AT GLENCOE.
Ladysmith, Monday, March 1.-THE
main body of the enemy is in position
at Biggarsberg General Joubert is at
that few Beers are at Dundee, though
the place is well fortified.
WHITE REACHES DURHAM.
Durham, Monday, March 12.-General
here and embarked upon a transport
for East London.
STARVATION AT MAFEKING.
London, March 13.-A dispatch to the
Times from Mafeking dated Monday,
March 5. SINS tie garrison at that ;jlace
were then feeling acutely the stress of
the siege. They were reduced To the
use of horse flesh and bread made from
horse forage, while the water was par
aSitically contaminated. Typhoid dys-
entery and diphtheria were prevalent
but it was impossible to isolate victims
The sufferings of the women and child
rem were ter ~ible and there were deaths
in the women's laager daily. The native
The military operations were pro-
crossing favorably. They had been ex-
tended to the brick fields, whence the
enemy had been completely expelled.
GERMANY DECLINES TO INTER-
FERE.
Durham, March 13.-The Transvaal
having appealed to Germany for medi-
alton or Intervention in the war with
Great Britain, Germany has replied that
she declines to interfere as she is no
way concerned in the conflict
ROBERTS "UNOPPOSED'' MARCH
Dreinfontein, Orange Free State, Sun
day, March 11.-General Roberts ad-
vance yesterday across the scorching g
plains from Peters Grove to this place
was marked by the most severe en-
gagement since crossing the Modder
river. The Beers stubbornly contested
every foot of ground, only fleeing at
dark, when Lord Roberts threw most
of his troops against the center of their
weakened line.
At the point where Col. Broadwood
under the fire of their nine-pounder.
The Beers, however, ultimately hoisted
the white flag. When Col. Broadwood
advanced he was surprised to find the
Beers had taken advantage of the ces-
Sation of fire to escape in the darkness.
The prisoners showed they were entire
ly surprised by Lord Roberts tactics.
A Free Slater whose house President
Kruger occupied during the Boer flight
from Osfontein, said he complained to
the president about the depredations Of
dent replied. No wonder we are beaten
The burghers entered into the war to
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