Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-03-24

London, March 22.-Possibly the mos,
important news of the day is contained
in this dispatch from Cape Town to The
Daily Mail:
II have just arrived here from Bloem-
fontein. | was informed that no further
movement was probable for three weeks,
as some negotiations were pending. L
was unable to learn the nature of these
negotiations or whether Sir Alfred Mil
ners departure from Cape Town had any
connection with them.
There is, however, every sign that the
Free Staters are anxious to give up, and
it would not be surprising if the war col
lapsed quickly, for though there are no
definite indications of the feelings of the
Transyaalers many stories are ailoat to
the effect that they are anxious to cease
fighting"
The opinion is held by some here that
Miners mission relates 10 the forming
of temporary administration for the
Free State. The whole of the southern
Boer republic, according to dispatches, IS
believed to b9 willing to submit 1t is not
thought probable here that the negotia-
tions referred to concern the Transvaal
government.
From Bloemfontein come reports of
TO their farms and of the British forces
accommodating stores and making prepa-
rations for the next step in the campaign.
North of Lord Roberts headquarters the
Beers are busy in the destruction of
bridges and culverts on the railway.
Three bridges have been blown up, one
over the Modder river IA miles north of
Bloemfontein, another at the Vet river
between Brandfort Station and Venters-
berg and the third over the Valsch river
Immediately in front of Kroonstadt. The
Transvaal Beers are reported to be de-
termined strongly to oppose the British
advance at the latter point
Methuen on Western Border.
On the western border of the Free
State Lord Methuen found the Beers in a
fortified position at WarrentOn. Colonel
Pakeman had several days fighting at
Fourteen Streams. The burghers are
said to have retired 20 miles northeaster-
ly to Christiana. 1t is reported that the
British occupied Christiana, which if true
would constitute the first invasion of the
South African Republics territory. 1t
appears more and more likely that these
engagements are the forerunners of an
advance of third army of at least 90
900 men on Pretoria by way of Kimber-
ley, where the yeomanry, colonials and
fresh troops from England are concen-
trating as IA base.
At Aliwal North General Brabant is
still opposed by an apparently determin-
ed body of Beers, but General French is
behind them, and the British columns are
creeping round them by way Of Rockville
and Smithfeld.
General Clements and General Gatacre
a..
Boemfontein and are receiving, accord
ing to dispatches to the London papers,
the surrender of numerous bodies of Free
Skaters.
Trains Run to BlOemfOntein.
The establishment of train service
between Cape Town and Bloemfontein
shows concusively that Lord Roberts
has made himself the actual master of
the Free State territory west and south
of Bloemfontein. He is in effective mill
tary occupation of more than half the
total area Of the republic and has reduc-
ed the Free State army TO a mere contin-
gent of the Transvaal forces.
There are many signs that General
Butler is preparing to move. La front of
him, beyond Eandslaagte and command
ing the Dundee Newcastle-Pretoria rail
road, is a force of Beers in considerable
strength who hold the Biggarsberg range.
The enemy's position is not unlike that
which they occupied at COenso. Out
post skirmishes are every day occur
rences.
Until all the Boer resistance is over
come in northern Natal there can be no
British advance in force through the
Drakensberg passes or invasion of the
Free State by way Of Harrismith.