Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-05-02
DALGETY IS RELIEVED.
Beers Pull Up Stakes in Front Of
Wepener and Trek To.
ward ladybrand.
BRABANT FIRST INTO THE TOWN.
Beers Reoccupy Boshof, the British
Retiring-Short Range in an Ar.
tillery Duel at Warrenton.

tillery Duel at WarrentOn.
Thaba N'Chu, April 30.-Gen. French
sent the Third and Fourth cavalry bril-
gades on separate reconnaissance
around the hills east of the town. The
enemy, it was found. held the hills
strongly. though evidently only a rear
guard, as no transport was visible.
The Beers are now holding very steep
row Of hills east.
London. April 30.-The following
telegram is published here this morn
ing:
"Thaba N'Chu, April 2S.-The ada
cent country is now clear, the Beers
having retired toward Ladybrand.
There are interesting developments
ahead"
Herschel. Cape Colony, April 26.-It
As reported that the British have occu-
pied Wepener after heavy fighting. 1t
is also said that the Beers are unable
TO escape to the north and that great
developments are expected.
London, April 27.-The war Office
publishes the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts. dated Bloemfontein
April %: General Ian Hamilton yes
terday drove the enemy off strong
position at IsraePs poOrt by well
conceived turning movement, which
was admirably carried out by General
Ridley, commander of the Second
mounted infantry brigade, and General
Smith Dorrien, commanding the Eight
eenth brigade. The troops are today
advancing toward Thaba NChu. Our
losses were slight, only one yet report
ed--Major Marshall, Graham's Town
mounted rifles, severe wound in the
shoulder"
Correspondent Draws Conclusions.
The Bloemfontein correspondent OF
The Daily Telegraph, under Wednes-
days date, says: Our mounted infan-
try entered the high mountain plateau
Of Thaba N'Chu today, almost with
out opposition. AS Thaba N'Chu is a
natural fortress this must mean that
the Beers have practically thrown up
the sponge in this section of the coun-
try If the force presses on to Lady
brand the whole country south of that
point and in line with Bloemfontein
will be completely in our hands. One
difficulty is that many OF the Beers
forming commanders Immediately on
finding tnen~ Gives beaten. retreat to
their farms and resume the roles or
peaceful citizenship. hiding their RI
1ses.''
London, April 26.-It is officially an
nounced that Wepener has been re-
lieved. The war Office has issued the
following from Lord Roberts, dated
Bloemfontein, April %, 3:25 p. M:
ssThe enemy retired from in front OF
Wepener last night and this morning
fed northeastward along the Lady
brand road. Their number was be-
tween 1000 and j, 600" The relief Of Col
onel Dalgety was accomplished by
General BraDant.
A special dispatch from Pretoria.
dated Tuesday, says that the Beers
have reoccupied BoshOf. the British
retiring.
Close Work with Artillery.
London, April 26.-The following
press dispatch is published this morn.
Ing:
"Warrenton, April %. Night.-The
Beers having become emboldened
shelled the village and the British
trenches, and it became necessary to
give them a lesson and to ascertain
their strength. Monday night Colonel
Paget placed several guns on the river
bank under cover of the darkness, with
In 1000 yards of the Bper trenches
across the river. The horses and car
riages were withdrawn beyond range
and at daybreak the British opened a
heavy bombardment with shrapnel and
lyddite The Beers were taken com
pletely by surprise. but they replied
with five guns, including a 40-p0under
and heavy rife fire was opened a.
the same time. The duel continued
many hours. the Beers finally evacuat
ing the position with. 1t Is believed
considerable loss There were no cas-
ualties on the British side. During
the evening the guns were safely with
drawn
March of Poie-Crew and French.
London, April ga Reuter- CORE
spondent with Generals Pole-Carew an,
French wires from Bamfontein, unde
date of April "a. as follows: Eve
since Sunday a Boer force of abou
1000. with one gun and one pompom
has been trying to impede our prog
ress." He then proceeds TO describ
how the various mounted bodies-Ca
nadans, Roberts Horse and French
cayalry-time after time engaged til
Beers and held them while the infantr
and baggage passed. He says: 'Th
Beers evidently Intended to draw hiI
lPole-Ca into action in order
delay the column, but the admirabl
tactics adopted enabled steady at
vance The Beers always took goo
care to keep their baggage and gun
well out Of 'ange. .
White Flag Violated Again.
General french's general plan wa
20 push for ard in light order leayin
the baggage train to follow with the IL
fantry. Few casualties have been su,
tanned during the march. General Poll
Carew burned farm house frol
which the Beers fred although fiyin
a white flag. and he Informed the owl
ers that the farmers would no longe
be allowed TO play double game will
out reprisals, as they must deliver u
their arms or openly join the enemy
elm the afternoon the Beers eva
cra;ed their position. General FrrIi,'h
advance cut their communication mort
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