Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-15
The Unusual Saturday Nights
Absence of Reliable News.
THE ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA
Report That tho Gar viii Demand That
England Conclude Peace with tho
Beers Forthwith Heavy Dombard,nent
ofBritish Trenches at warrenton-Pros-
ents for Prisoners at Pretoria Bioem-
fontein Hard Pressed British Severely
Punished by tho Burghers of Rockville.

tBy Telegraph to virginian-P ilot.)
London, April 15.-There has been the
usual Saturday nights absence of news
both from the War Office and from
other sources OF information. The
situation in its chief points Is appar-
emily unchanged.
Natives report at Kimberley that
Colonel Douglas engaged the Beers
near zwartskop on Wednesday and
succeeded In driving them. back. The
British casualties were slight.
Dlandslaagte last evening reported
that there had been no traces of the
Beers in that neighborhood for the past
two days. Their progress southwark
has been effectively barred by the Brit
ish occupation OF JonenoskoD on the
left and Umbulwani on the right. The
belief that the Beers action on Tues
day was due TO rcstlessness and dissat-
isfaction in the ranks Is confirmed by
natives, who say that the Beers have
been ready for some time and wanted
the British to attack them. In order
TO force this the Beers commenced
Smelling, at the same time sending u
force to make thanking movement
the statement that one of the Beers
heavy guns was put out of action and
the gunners driven off.
BoER SIN STRONG POSITION.
The scouts on Saturday located the
! Beers in a strong position eleven nal es
northeast of the British advanced DO
sitfon at Bloemfontein.
1t appears from every indication that
the Beers are preparing, In the event OF
Pretoria being captured, to make q last
stand along line reaching from Leyd-
enberg along the mountains into Swazi-
land. a traveller recently arrived at
Bioemfontein says that the Beers are
cnergetica'ly working to persuade the
Swazis that the British cause Is lost
and are seeking to ingratiate them
selves, hoping to secure a footing in
Swaziland peacefully, or to seize hold
of the country If necessary.
ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA.
st. Petersburg April 1.-THE Car and
CZarina started last evening for Mos
COW.
Extraordinary persistent rumors are
current i'll Moscow that on Russian
Easter Sunday the Gear will issue a
manifesto containing an ultimatum to
Great Britain demanding that she con-
clude peace with the Beers forthwith
under threat OF occupying Cabul and
Herat If Great Britain fails to comply.
This report Is connected by some per-
sons with the fact that no reservists
are at present allowed to take unlimited
leave. but probably the orders to the
reservists are connected with the pro-
Jected summer manoeuvres in the cen
tral provinces in which 100000 troops
VIII participate and at which Emperor
William is expected to be present.
HEAVY COMMANDMENT.
London. April 14.-2:07 p. m.-The
only development reported thus far to-
day in the cable dispatches received
here from South Africa is the heavx
bombardment OF the British trenches
at Warrenton, April IS, but which re-
suited In no damage, the Beers appa-
rently being under the impression that
the British meditated an attack
From Boer sources 1t is learned that
General Botha has returned from the
fighting lines at Glencoe, and reports
that the British have removed their
camp in the direction of Elandslaagte
AS the British camp has been situated
at that place for some time the sig
nificance of General Botha's statement
is not quite clear.
REASSURING REPORTS.
The re-assuring reports from Bloem-
iontein published In this mornings pa
pers have done much to restore con-
nOenCe IN LOnQOn. All the correspond
ents seem agreed that Lord Roberts
knows what he is about. The critics of
the African papers eagerly speculate
on the possibilities of the Boer com
mands at Wepener being cut off. This
seems quite possible, as the force from
Bloemfontein is advancing by way of
Dewets Dorp. General Chormsdo Is
nearing the objective with the Third d.
vision by way of Reddarsburg, and
General Brabant's force is moving from
Aliwal North by way of Rockville and
Bushman I<op, while across the border
strong force OF Basutos are closely
watching events. In the meanwhile,
General Rundles division is concen-
trating at Springfontein. Lord Me-
thuens force is trying to get to Hoop
stnd,. and 1t is believed that General
Hunters division will strengthen the
British left at Fourteen Streams.
PRESENTS FOR PRISONERS.
Pretoria. April 13.-Unlted States
Consul Adelbert s. Hay has received
SIX and one-half tons of presents for
British military prisoners mostly from
England aud the Cape. comprising
2iu$uries. groceries. segars, cigarettes
ard beds for the hospitals. It has been
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