Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-04-19

that the Beers have treated them as il
they were criminals confined in Jail.
lie points out that there are 30 cases OF
enteric fever and dysentry in the pris-
oners' camp at Waterva; that the
Transvaal government failed to supply,
on demand of the doctor, the necessary
medicines and medical comforts; that
the prisoners were forced to bivouac on
the open veldt; that the sick were
placed in an open shed, with an iron
roof, and that it was only when the
new doctor threatened to resign that
medicines and mattresses were sup
piled. He invites President Kruger to
remedy this state of things and con-
tracts it with the treatment the British
give to Boer prisoners, sick and
wounded, who, as Lord Roberts says,
receive the same treatment as our
own soldiers"
According to Winston Churchill
the war in South Africa will
prove an extremely expensive
business. lie says 100000 men
will be needed before the end is at
tanned. The question of re-mounts
will continue one of vital Importance
Great numbers are now arriving, but
owing to the fact that they have to be
put to work before time is given them
to recover from the effects of the voy-
age their condition is low and the
death rate among them high. Thous-
ands, therefore, will be wanted in adj
dition to those now there or on the
way, and great resting depots must be
formed, together with an ample staff
to nurse and exercise them. If that is
done, then, about four or five months
hence, you will be able to give your
cavalry new lease of life and strength
The British war office on the 18th is
sued return of the total British cas-
ualties up to April :. 1t was as fol-
lows: Killed in action, 2ll officers and
1 800 men; died of wounds, As officers
and 400 men: missing and prisoners,
16s officers and 3,722 men; died of dis
ease, AZ officers and 1885 men; acct
dental deaths, officers and "a men;
repatriated invalids, 2Ss officers and
1894 men; total, 10, 365, exclusive of
the sick and wounded now in hospital.
To the war office returns of casualties
must be added the losses of the last
week and the wounded, aggregating
about 10000 men, making grand
total of upwards of $4,000 officers and
men put out of action
The enemy S movements south of
Bloemfontein have been checked. Wep-
ener is still surrounded, but the little
garrison is holding out well. Troops
are being moved to their assistance.
The health of the troops is good, and
the climate perfection. Accounts re-
ceived at Bloemfontein of the fighting
of the troops under Col. Dalgety, at
Wepener, show the Beers attacked
them vigorously, but were repulsed
with great loss. The Beers subse-
quently relinquished the attack, and it
is said they are turning northward.
The Niobe and the Milwaukee ar
rived at the Island of st. Helena on
the 10th with the Boer prisoners. Their
health is good, with the exception of
four cases of measles, necessitating the
Milwaukee being quarantined. The
governor was notified of the desire of
the authorities that the prisoners be
treated with every courtesy and con-
sideration.
The Beers opened fire on the morn
ing of the 10th by sending shells into
the British camp at Elandslaagtc from
three positions widely separated.
| Troops moved out to reconnoiter and
found the Beers in strong force and
| well fortified. A naval 4.7-inch gun
replied to the Beers, who have again
placed a long Tom in position.
Through the repeated exhibitions of
incompetency on the part of Gen. Cat
acre of the British forces, Lord Roberts
was finally forced to recall him. Sir
Herbert Chermside has been promoted
| to the command of the 18th division.
Gatacre will Immediately return to
England.
A dispatch from Bloemfontein dated
April 10th says The Beers have raised
the siege of Wepener and have left
| Rouxville A majority of them has un-
doubtedly retired north, with the ex-
ception of body of about 5000, now
reported to be going toward Bethulie.
The remainder of the Boer prisoners
were landed at jamestown, st. Helena,
on the 10th and sent to Deadwood.
| Col. Schiel and the two others who had
! been confined at the citadel after their
attempt to escape, have been released,
and they also have gone to Deadwood
More than 5000 tons of stuff for the
English army in South Africa and a
large number of mules started for Cape
/ Town from New York on the 18th in
the British steamer Clan Robertson. In
/ the consignment are $1,000 bales of
hay to be landed at Cape Town.
Owing to the unfavorahle conditions
for keeping the Boer prisoners at ST.
mons Town the authorities have de-
cided to ship them all to ST. Helena
with the least possible delay. The
sickness among the captured burghers
| is abating.
From Boer source at Pretoria il is
learned that Col. Baden Powell, the
British commander at Mafelxing, is