Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1900-03-23
THE WAR N SOUTH AFRICA
ROBERTS WORK HALF DONE.
Free staters Observation-Disclosures
ers Sent to the Island of st. Helena
Some Boer Positions Impregna-
b1e-Mafeking Reported Relieved.

1
London, March l9.-Amidst the festiv-
tiles of st. Patrick's day, London was lis
tening for word that Mafeking is relieved.
1t is remarkable that the revival of this
holiday, which puts st. Patriek's here
after on an equality with Primrose day,
has been the occasion of the first real gala
day since the declaration of war. Christ
mastide was gloomy, indeed, in compar-
ison with today's merrymaking.
There is much in the situation in South
Africa to justify the joy, however, for
the rapid pacifcation of the Free Staters
leads Englishmen to believe they have
a statesman, as well as a strategist hero,
in "Bobs."
With railway communication open to
the Cape and the morale of his army at
its highest, England is now ready to trust
the commander-in-chief to complete the
remainder of his task in his own way,
confident of his ultimate success.
The Transvaal officials are said to have
vacated Laing's and Vryburg, but the
rebels are unwilling to enter the Trans
vaal, being anxious to trek homeward.
No one would be much surprised if a
great spread of this contagion occurred
in the next fortnight.
Lady Randolph Churchill, who started
homeward on the hospital ship Maine,
cabled to the committee that she regards
it compliment to the United States that
the Maine was the first ship to leave since
Ladysmith was relieved. There were IL
officers and 1853 on-commissioned officers
and men aboard the Maine.
The peaceful conquest of the Orange
Free State progresses so evenly that it
is now believed that there will be little
or no fighting until Lord Roberts reaches
the Vaal river. When the move comes it
will doubtless be accomplished with the
secrecy and swiftness which have charac-
terized all the British advances since Lord
Roberts assumed command. In the mean
while the fate of Mafeking remains urf-
known. The revolt of the Cape Dutch
in the northeast seems to have its back
broken, and it is likely General Kitch-
ener will soon resume his place beside his
chief.
the Natal and the Free State recuperate
brings no rest to the engineers and trans
port service.
Girord, the young Canadian officer who
rules supreme over the railroads, is now
putting his system to the most severe
test in an endeavor to pour supplies from
Cape Town to Bloemfontein.
DR.. Leyds, who disappeared from Brus-
sells, according to Globe special, is be-
lieved to have come to London, but moth
ing is known here about his arrival. 1t
seems scarcely likely that he would jump
into the lions mouth, and the energetic
Boer representative is more likely to be
heard of at one of the European capitals.
1t has been decided to send only the
Transvaalers to St. Helena, the authorities
finding it difficult to prevent conflicts be-
tween the Free Skaters and the Trans
walters.
Colonel Schiol, who was captured in
Natal in the early part of the war, has
a special sentry at his door to prevent
him from doing himself bodily violence.
Captain johnson and Third Officer Boil
tege of the steamer Mashona, captured
by a British cruiser, and subsequently
released, were drowned in gale last
night. Four others were drowned, and a
boats crew from the Cheshire is missing.
Strong at Van Reenan's Pass.
Ladysmith, March l9.-Lord Dundon-
AIDS cavalry patrols reconnoitered the
Free State border of Basutoland to the
Debers pass, where a slight skirmish oc-
Cured, in which two British were wound
ed. The Beers were also encountered in
some strength at Van Reenan's pass and
Hntwas pass.
Kaffirs arriving here report that the
Beers are manifesting a vindictive mood
heretofore respected have been devas-
tated.
A unmber of ambulances attached to
the Boer forces were found near Modder
Spruit, having been abandoned by the
Beers because they were unable to keep
pace with the retreat. They were brought
into camp, where the wounded were cared
for. Transports were subsequently sup
piled and the ambulances were sent to
the bOer lines.
BurghersdOrp Bereft of Beers.
Burgersdorp, March Commandant
Oliveier evacuated his position on the hill
in front of the British during the night.
Several Beers of his force have surren-
dered. DR.. Dewitt, member of the Cape
parliament, and his brother have been ar
rested.
Nearer to Mafeking.
Lobatsi, Bechuanaland, March l9.-The
railroad is open to this point and there
is wire communication as far as Pitsani.
The Beers who were at Sequania have re-
turned to Ruskonburg. The relief of
Mafeking is expected at any day.
Positions Are ImpregnabIe.
Glencoe, March l9-The Boer defenses
along the Biggarsberg have been complet-