The sun., 1900-03-22

burghers that the Free State was far
from conquered because it's capital had
been occupied by the British. He III |
formed the burghers that England had
definitely refused to allow the republics |
to remain independent states; therefore |
all the republics had to do now was to
fight to the last.
president Steyn said that in the six
months the war had heen going on the
Beers had lost less than 1000 men in
killed and that the fighting was really
commencing now. As president he warn
ed the Free State burghers not to believe
Lord Roberts proclamation and accept
his invitation to lay down their arms
He assured them that the British had
failed OH every occasion to keep the sol
emn treaties they had made. Sir Alfred
Miner, the governor Of Cape Colony,
Mr. Steyn declared, had publicly pro-
claimed that the Afrikaudcrs would be
exterminated, knowing that the republics
would fight to the end. He closed by
urging the burghcrs to place their trust
in God
"Prosident Stcyn's appeal reused the
burghors to Il pitch of wild enthusiasm"
Fighting at Warrentown.
The only news from South Africa
showing activity on either side comes
from Wawcntown. north of Kimberley,
where dcsuitory fighting occurred all Sun
day, resulting in the retreat of the Boers
toward Christiana under shell lire. Ihe
nrogress OF the relief column toward
Mafcking has either almost entirely ccas-
ed or is forbidden to be mentioned i'll
dispatches. Nothing now comes from
Colonel Plumer, and Alafcking apparent
ly still awaits relief.
Drntopin Ipcpunt Of thn SlirmlSl
Mt Fourteen Streams, March 10, says that
a Boer command was preparing to de-
stroy a railroad bridge and that the en-
gagement lasted half an hour, with the
result that one buglcr was slightly
wounded.
The same dispatch announces the ar
rival at the Transvaal capital of General
Schalkburger from Natal.
The second edition of The Times today
publishes a dispatch from Bloemfontcin
dated Monday, March 10. which says:
THE blowing up of bridges by the
Beers is an evident sign that the Trans
vaalers intend to abandon the defense of
the Free State"
All is quiet in the south and west. A
corps of young Beers from the farms sur
rounding Bloemfontein, under an impe-
rial officer, has been detailed for police
work and to prevent the further looting
of abandoned farms by the Kafiirs.
1t is said that when President Kruger
left aYSemfontein. after his recent visit
thcre, President Stcyns parting remark
was:
Mind the British do not catch you. OF
you will get better quarters ut St. Hell
ena than l."
Sipling at BiOemfOntein.
Rudyard Nipling has gone TO Blocm-
fontcin.
The Beers at Aliwal North are report
cd 10 he still holding ii position in tho
big hills on the Free State side.
from Pretoria dispatch il appears
some misunderstanding regarding Lord
Salisbury's reply to Americas offer OF
mediation exists there. 1t had beer
quoted to the slfcct that Lord Salisbury
said he could accept the intervention OF
no other power, which led to the be
lief that the American representation:
would be listened to in the final settle
mcnt
Private Cole, the Canadian whom Tho
queen visited at Netley hospital, has re
turned to South Africa, fully recovered
from his wounds.
The mayor of Portsmouth has received
from the United States secretary of navy
Mr.. John d. Long, response to his let
ter to proSldent Mckinney, inviting al
American fleet to visit Portsmouth. Ii
his roply Secretary Long says the depart
mcnt has at present made no arrange
ments for sending a squadron to Euro
pcan waters. but later will undoubtedl!
do 50.
A Bern Switzerland dispatch say
that the federal council has answered
the Bocr appeal for mediation as follows
M ''Ihc Swiss federal council would hav,
heen pleased TO cooperate in friendly me
a:~-;-e n ardar 10 end fnrther hno5she5