The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-02

LONDON, April 2, 4:3O a. m.-Gen. Bull
ler's anxious inquiry whether British Of
fcers will ever learn the value of scout
ing comes back with enforced emphasis
to the British public today on receipt of
tidings that a convoy with guns has
walked deliberately into Boer ambush
within twenty miles of Bloemfontein.
Lord Roberts own report of the affair,
If yet received by the war off1cO, has not
been published, and no account of the af-
fair is available to the public except the
dispatch from Bushman Kop. Nothing
can be said therefore regarding the eX-
act extent of the British misfortune.
Evidently Col Broadwood thought it
necessary
TO RETREAT IN HASTE.
from Thaba Nchu, as he marched all
through Friday night, apparently follow
ed by a considerable force of the enemy
The convoy and guns had to pass through
deep spruit which the Beers had occu-
pied. Six or ten guns, comprising two
batteries, all the wagons, and, 1t is feared,
many men fell into the hands of the
Beers, whose daring, displayed so near
Bloemfontein, shows that they are rap
idly recovering heart after their recent
reverses.
The hope is expressed here that Gen.
Colville will recover the convoy and guns,
but this is hardly likely in such a difficult
country, and it is probable that the next
news will be that after stiff fight Gen.
Colville has extricated Col. Broadwood
from his difficult position, but failed to
retrieve the disaster
Severe criticisms are heard regarding
the
RENEWAL OF OLD MISTAKES
of undertaking the Beers, and the alb
sence of proper precaution. No doubt the
affair will revive Boer hopes and inspire
confidence among the enemy at a criti-
cal moment
Great things are expected by the Beers
of the new commander-in-chief, Gen.
Botha, who has made his reputation
wholly during the present campaign.
Foreign officers serving with the Beers
have expressed surprise at his clever
tactics.
The proof of continuing Boer activity
in the Free State will compel greater cir
cumspection on the part of the British
and will probably delay the march of
Lord Roberts northward
Detailed accounts of the fight at Karee
Siding estimate the Boer forces variously
from 1900 to 5000 men. Brabant's horse
occupied Wepener last Thursday unop-
posed.
Lord Methuen has issued the following
notification at Kimberley:
'I have received instructions that If
any disturbances occur west of the Vaal
river my force Is to return and punish
the rebels Immediately"
FOR MARKINGS RELIEF.
LONDON, April 2-The Times has
the following from Mating, Basutoland,
dated March 80:
Gen. Oliver has just reached Jamiers
Drift with four guns and 800 wagons.
The column, which extended thirty
miles, was accompanied by many women
and children.
WILKINSON URGES ACTION.
LONDON, April 2.-Spencer Wilkinson,
in the Morning Post, says:
1.-THE attack on Thaba Nchu and the
convoy is a sample of the mode in
which the Beers will try to conduct the
war 1t is a legitimate mode and the
most effective for Boer purposes. So
long as the Boer army keep the field
such attacks will embarrass the Brit
ish, and perhaps the best way to get
rid of the difficulty would be a swift
advance and decisive blow against the
main Boer army"
BRITISH TROOPS MAY PASS.
LONDON, April 2.-The Lisbon cor
respondent of the Daily Mail says:
The Portuguese government has wired
orders to Beira that British troops and