Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-04-05
The Beers are Apparently Surround
ing Bloemfontein and In
tend to Retake that
City.
BRITISH CONCENTRATING
A Decisive Battle May Be Fought Near the
Orange Free State Oapital-Lord Rob-
erts Preparing to Deliver Crush
ing Blow.


parently investing Lord Roberts at
Bloemfontein, and have formed the au-
dacious plan to retake Bloemfontein
and to take Lord Roberts as prisoner
to Pretoria. They are harassing the
lines of communication ,of the British
ana driving in the outposts. Lord Rob-
erts is concentrating all his forces and
preparing to take advantage of the bold
but risky tactics of the Beers. He is not
likely to strike at any of their forces
until he is certain of delivering a crush
ing blow. There is little doubt that Lord
Roberts is hampered by a necessity for
remounts and transports, and the loss
of the convoy guns and all Of Colonel
Broadwood's baggage was serious
matter. The Beers are now trusting to
mobility.
THE BRITISH DISSATISFIED.
London, April 5.-Detached bodies of
Boer horse, numbering 500 to 1000 each,
appeared at several places south and
eastward of Bloemfontein, threatening
the railroad. One of these forces is near
ly east of Springfontein, on the Bloem-
fontein railroad. General Gatacre's
forces are reported about to engage it,
Lord Roberts, excepting a safeguard
for the railroad, seemingly declines to
send columns chasing the Boer bands.
He is reserving the cavalry and trans
port animals for forward movement.
There has been lack of horses for re-
mounts, but new horses are arriving
by train loads hourly. The situation in
the Free State is unsatisfactory to Brit
ish observers. Sickness among the Boer
prisoners at Simonstown continues to
increase. The prisoners on board of the
transport Mongolian have been trans
ferred to shore camp. Unless sickness
abates it is not likely that more prison
ers will be sent to st. Helena.
CLEMENTS NEAR ROBERTS.
Bloemfontein April 5.-Gen. Glenn
ents' forces have traversed the Peters,
burg district. and are now encamped
days march from here.
NEARING MAFEKING.
Gaberdones, April 5.-Runners from
the north tell of the rapid approach of
Colonel Plumer's column. The Beers
continue the bombardment, but 1t is be-
lieved now that there are not more than
1000 around the place, many having left
daily.
A DARING RAID,
Gaberdones, Bechuanaland, March 2S.
Colonel Plumer, with force of Brit
ish mounted infantry, started on a dar-
ing march with the object Of threaten
ing the Boer line of communication.
After two rapid night marches through
Transvaal territory they arrived on
March 81 within twelve miles of Zeerust
and distinctly heard the bombardment
of Mafeking. Having reconnoitered the
country with view of future opera
tions, without sighting single white
man, Colonel Plumer crossed the rail-
road south of Lobatsi, which he found
in possession of a Boer force, and re-
turned. Then finding the railroad hence
damaged by General Snyman's main
force, he returned to the vicinity of
Mafekfng. Rumors reach here that
relief column is approaching Mafeking
from the south.
AN TRTSH-AMERICAN DESERTS.
Mafeking. March 23-There has been
little excitement in the past week. The
Boer shell fire comes in fitful guests and
has little effect. The British casualties
are almost nil. The Beers seem to be
breaking up their main laager west
ward, but have taken an intrenched po-
sition to the northward with view to
preventing the approach Of relief. The
sharpshooters keep up steady inter-
change of fire. 1t is rumored that relief
is near. M. Shete, native chief to the
southwark, has broken out against the
Beers. There was heavy firing in the
direction of his chief kraal on March %.
An Irish-American trooper of the Pro-
tectorate deserted the British. A re-
ward Of ESQ has been offered for his
capture, dead or alive
A BRILLIANT DEED.
iLoiuOIi April o.-COlOIel fOrIeF, WIFI
ninety carbneers and the Scots Greys
and two guns performed brilliant
deed Sunday. He charged large body
of Beers and rescued ninety odd British
prisoners, including one officer, who had
been captured the day previous. There
were no casualties on the British side.
FURTHER DETAILS.
Bloemfontein, April 5.-The British
disaster near Bloemfontein shows that
greater cohesion exists among the
Free State burghers than had been i'm
agined. The Beers concealed themselves
in the grass and further deceived Col.
Broadwoods troops by deputing some
of their number to appear unarmed and
as merely uninterested spectators. The
Beers were at first forced back by the
fire of the artillery, but were quickly
re-enforced and resumed the offensive,
pursuing the troops for some distance.
On the arrival Of the ninth and cavalry
divisions an attempt was made to sur
round the federal troops, but they fell
back to strong position, and Gen. Col
vile. finding them provided with Creu-
sot guns, decided not to engage them,
and returned to Bushman's kop.
SURROUNDING THE BRITISH.
Bloemfontein, April 5.-The concen-
trating movement of the Beers around
Bloemfontein continues. Large forces
are reported east and south. which are