The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-23
BOERS DEFEATED BRITISH.
Reports of the Fights at Lobatsi and
KroOnStadt.

London, March PA report from
Kroonstadt, Orange Free State, via Pre-
toria, that the Beers under the command
of Gen. Olivier have defeated the British
troops under Gen. Gatacre, in the vicin-
ity of Bethule, is not believed here.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
Springfontein, dated Tuesday, March 20,
says Cen. Gaiacre was "all WELL" and
adds that he and Gen. Brabant had not
lost, a dozen men in a fortnight The
last advices also placed Gen. Gatacre
about thirty miles north of Bethulie,
where the Boer report says the defeat
was inflicted.
This, combined with the fact that no
mention of the affair was made by Lord
Roberts in his dispatch of March 81, con-
firms the belief that the Kroonstadt ad-
vices ere erroneous.
The reports of skirmishing near Lo-
bats while apparently not inf1icting any
serious loss on Col. Plumer's columns,
cause grave anxiety in regard to his abil-
ity to reach Mafeking. Further news from
that quarter is anxiously awaited, for
in the six days that have elapsed since
the last messages were sent off serious
engagement may have occurred, though
not of Col. Plumer's seeking. The Beers
seem determined not to give up their prey
at Mafeking without a fierce struggle.
In reply to the Mayor of Cape Town as
to the request to make ''Mafeking relief
day." public holiday, Premier Schreiner
wrote:
May the holiday come soon, and may a
spirit of general good will and kindly con-
sideration prevail later"
The Times in its second edition, pub
fishes a dispatch from Lorenzo Marquee
which quotes President Steyn as saying,
a Kroonstadt, that the Beers could con-
tinue the struggle for six months longer.
While the Beers and British in the
Orange Free State are taking advantage
of the period of inactivity to enjoy a rest,
those ON the borders of Natal are begin
ming to show activity. A special dispatch
from Durham says the town of Pomeroy.
thirty miles east of Ladysmith, has been
burned by the Beers.
A British detachment arriving at Pom
eroy as the Beers evacuated the place,
shelled the burghers, but they succeeded
in taking up a strong position in the hills
with force estimated to number 5000
men.
1t has been learned that no new peace
overtures have been made to Lord Sails
Great Britain. The telegraphic correspond
ence has been confined to the treatment
of prisoners.
Lord Salisbury, as already cabled, is
holding the Presidents of the South Afri-
can republics responsible for the welfare
of British prisoners. The question of the
safety Of Johannesburg and the gold
mines there has not been raised.
The correspondence exchanged between
Lord Salisbury and President Kruger will
shortly be given to Parliament.
Replying in the House of Commons to-
day to a series of questions on the sub
ject of Gen. Lord Methuen and
his alleged disagreement with the
officers of his column, which have
caused considerable scandal, the Par
liamentary Secretary for the War
OHice George Wyndham, declared no
charge had been brought against Gen,
Methuen by Col. Cough or any other Off
Ger. Col. Cough, he added, has been in
formed that an inquiry will be held into
his case Col. Cough is alleged to have
been ordered home by Gen. Methuen
after declining to obey a command issued
by the latter, and the Colonel demanded
a trial by courtmartial.