The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-18
:BOBS PROVES
HER0.OF THE HOUR.
.Mafekings Relief Has.
Not Been C Confirmed.
REPORT PERsIsTEE.N'|'T7 Z.
Boer Officials Said TO Have Vacated
Taungs and vryburg.
REFUSE TO ENTER TRANsvAAL.
The Hospital Ship Maine the First to
Leave After Ladysmith Had Been
Rclieved-Lady Roberts En-
Route to South Africa.
Demonstrations in
London.
PERSISTENT.
REFUSE TO ENTER TRANsVAAL n.

London.
LONDON, March 1S-4:15 A. M.-Amidst
tbe festivities of St. Patrick's Day. Lon
don has been listening to-day Tor me
words that Mafeking is relieved. II IS IS.
remarkable that the revival of this hoh-.
day, which puts st, Patricks Day Oh
equality with Primrose Day, has oeen ne tne
occasion of the first real gala day since
the declaration Of war Christmas tioe
was gloomy, indeed, in comparison win
to-day's merry-makings, and the only M
I'M needed was the news of the relief Of OF
the besieged Mafeking.
LONDON, March lit is persistently
reiterated that Mafeking has been re-
lieved, but the War Office mas no con
tirmation of the rumor.
There is so much in the situation III
South Africa to justify rejoicing, however,
at the rapid pacification OF the Free STATE,
leads people Of Great Britain to think that
they have q statesman as well as Strate-
eist in the hero of the hour, .Bobs.
REFUSE TO ENTER TRANSVAAlA
The Transvaal officials are said to have
vacated Taungs and Eryburg, but the
rebels are unwilling to enter the Trans
vaal, being anxious to trek homewards.
No one would be much surprised If great
spread of this contagion occurred In the
next fortnight
Lady Randolph Churchill, who started
home on the hospital ship Maine, ca bled
that's she regarded it as a compliment 60
the United States that the Maine was
the first ship to leave after Ladysmith
was relieved. Twelve officers and one
hundred and fifty-three non-commlssioned
officers and men are aboard the Maine.
LADY ROBERTS LEAVES.
The departure of Lady Roberts from
London for South Africa to-day was made
the occasion of a popular demonstration.
Among her fellow travellers were the
Duchess of Teck, who has gone to join
her husband General Sir Frederick Car
rington and staff; and Miss RhodeS-the
latter Cecil Rhodes sister.
A large gathering Of friends bade Lady
Roberts farewell, including Mr.. Brode-
rick, the Parliamentary Secretary of the
Foreign Ofice; Mr.. Wyndham, the Par
lian1entary Secretary of the War Office;
-. Newton, the Lord Mayor of London;
and the Duke Of Abercorn.
Lady Roberts was accompanied by her
two daughters, oil in the deepest mourn
ing. Shortly after they entered their sa-
loon carriage the Lord Mayor presented
the three ladies with punches of sham
rock. The departure Of the train was the
signal for a great outburst of enthusiastic
cheering and the waving Of flags and
handkerchiefs.
The peaceful conquest OF the.
Orange Free State progresses so
evenly that it is now believed there
will be little or no fighting until Lord
Roberts reaches the Vaa1 river. How
soon he intends to start out with this
objective is not yet hintsd at, but the
pacification of the Free Staters seems now
engaging all his attention. When the
move comes it will. doubtless be accom-
plished with the secrecy and swifrness
which has characterized all the British
advances since Lord Roberts assumed
command.
In the meanwhile the fate of AIafekng
remains unknown.
The revolt of the Cape Dutch in the
i! northeast, seems to have had its back
broken and It is likely General Kitchener
will soon resume his place beside his
chief.
TROOPS RECUPERATE.
The lu1l that let's the British troops in
Natal and the Fres State recuperate
brings no rest to the engineers and trans
port service. Girourd, the young Cana
dian officer who rules supreme over the
railroads, is row putting his system to
the most severetest, fin an endeavor to
pour supplies from Cape Town to Bloem-
fontein. Commandment Olivier, after leax-
ing Brsrghersdorp. went to Rouxville
where he is now reported to be with on
e1y a small force.
DR.. .eLeyds. the diplomatic agent of the
Transvaal, has disappeared from Brus-
sells. According to a Globe special he is
believed to have come to London, but
nothing is known here about his ar
rival.
Il seems scarcely likely that he would
jump into the Hons mouth and the en-
ergetic Boer representative IS more likely
to he seens or heard Of at one OF the
other European capitals.
RAILROAD EREOPENED.
VANZYL. Friday. A1arc:. 16.-The rail-
road has been reopened from Bloemfon-
tein to sNorvals Pont. 81
General Pole-c chrew and the Grenadiers
have just arrived at Norvals Pont
OLIVIER GETS AWAY.
BURGHERSDORP March 1E.-Com-
mandant. Olivier evacuated his position on
a hill in front Of the British during the
night Several Beers OF his force have
surrendered.
Dr.DeWet. a member of the Cape Par
lament. and his brother have been ar-s;
rested.
BOERs EYAcUATE.
BURGEERSDORP March s1L-Com-
mandant Oliviers5evacuated his position
on hill in@ front gof the British during
the light Several Roers Of his force
have surrendered IS Dr.. Dewitt, amember
Of the Cape Parliament. and his brother
have been arrested
THEY ARE EYINDICTIvE
@sT.ADYSMITH,F H,F'ridaY,asdarch 16:-IordS
sDundonald ld' 81 cavalry patrolsreconnoiter-
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