The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-02

LA&01. February 81, 4:20 a. m.-The
8eers are assembling an army near
Rteemfentein, with which to dispute
the invasion of Lord Roberts. This
intelligence comes from Pretoria by
way Of LourenZo Marques. The COM
nandoes are described as Fastening
ircn ell quarters of the two repub-
lies" Ne estimate is made of their
nunbeH, but the withdrawal of the
Beers from most of the places where
they have been in contact with the
British. except the district near Lady
smith, may raise the resisting force to
3e,eeo mea. This figure assumes that
the Beers have between $1,000 and TO-
seo men in the field.
The gathering of his army across
the path Of Lord Roberts gives signi-
fcaace to General Cronje's steadfast
defense. He has engaged the corps of
Lord Roberts for ten days now, and,
whether he is relieved or not, he has
given time for the dispersed Boer fac
tons to get together and to prepare
pO51LlOhS W ISCe1NS III bIllIoH du-
vance when Cronje is overcome and
Lord Robots moves forward.
1t Is difficult to conceive that the
Beers are strong enough to take the Of
fcnsive and to rescue General CrOnje
from his precariCuS situation.
The war office has nothing after mid
night TO indicate his collapse and he
may hold out for a few days. The
correspondents seem to haye no exact
information respecting his
SOae say he has plenty of food, but
is short Of ammunition. Others assert
that he left his food supplies, but kept
abundant supplies of cartridges.
General Butler on Saturday faced
the last and strongest positions of the
Beers who bar his way to Ladysmith.
The fighting indicates a bat
tie between armies, rather than rear
guard actions protecting a retreat. On
Thursday and Friday he lost AZ officers
killed and wounded, representing prob
ably a total loss of from 400 to 500.
General Whites gum worked on Sat
urday upsn the Boer positions, and a
helbOgram from Ladysmith reported
that the Beers were retreating and
hat Larger ratiOns were being issued
in view of the fact that relief seemed
at hand.
NOTHING FROM MAFEKING.
Nothing has been heard from MAIZE
king since February 18th. The move
ncnt on the veldt away from the rail-
way is becoming increasingly difficult
for large bodies of troops, as the grass
is burned up. Genera French has to
wagon forage for his horses. and even
the Infantry finds long marchs harder
than before, as forage for. the trans
port animals must be carried. This
requires the formation of garrisoned
depsts.
TEE SICKLY SEASON SET IN.
Tl,1 >-f,,.rr ir-irr aancAn 10
over. and the sickly seaso for both
men and animals has set in. Techni-
cal military writer's take these things
into consideration in f~orecastinS
events. The Daily Chronicle says it
learns from private letters that Brit
ish rides and ammunition have been
landed on the southern coast of Cape
Colony. presumably for the Dutch CO.
lonists.
Lord Roberts has recently received
seveRty-two additional pieces of artil-
leTy- Whether all have been sent to
P~aardeberg is not known. Probably
She eighth division will leave England
next Monday.
BURGERS RETURNING TO THE
FREE STATE.
A dispatch to The Daily News from
LourenEe Marques, dated Friday, Feb
raary -, says: 1T is reported here
that s,ese burghers have left Lady
smith for the Free State. The Beers
are concentrating their forces thirty
miles outside of Bloemfontein and the
Free State government is moving to
Winburs. Reinforcements from all
parts are passing through Bloemfon-
tein hourly. President Steyn has tel
egraphed President Kruger that Lord
Roherts is within a few hours of
Bloemfontein and he urges that every
male Irrespective of nationality,
should be Communicated. President
Steyn Is said to favor peace.
The Boer general who was in COM
NAN al Colenso sent a message to
President Kruger, saying that he had
been smashed up there and recommen-
ing svertures for peace. The burghers
at Aafekins are also reported to have
seat word to Kruger that they would
rafher defend their own farms than
Gght elsewhere.
NOT RAISING SIEGE OF LADY
SMITH.
Winston Churchill. in a dispatch to
the Morning Post from Frere camp,
dated Sunday says: THE idea that
IA Beers are raising the siege OF
Ladysmith is premature. The advance
is being pursued in the fac of the
most stubborn opposition n of heavy
loss President Kruger'S grand son is
among the Beers killed.
a dispatch from Paa~rdeberg, dated
Friday to The Times says that eve
al Beers are now lowering in
that neighborhood.
The Times has the following from
Pietermaritzburg dated Friday Febru-
airy q: THE Dublin Fusiliers have
again distinguished themselves by
volunteering to take Grobler's kloof
which they did. This gallant battaI-
ion. which began the $50
strong. can today be said to muster on
parade only between 100 and 200 of its
original members.
BRITISH CASUALTIES.
London. February 26.-GeneraI Bull
Ter IN q dispatch from Colenso dated
Saturday. February 25th. reports that
the British casualties, February 10Th.
were 10 killed and 80 wounded. among
the Somersetts and Dorsets, and that
February end and 2Srd. IL officers