The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-29
Troops are Being Pushed 10 the Front
and Stores Collected,
CONGRATULATIONS.

menC is Kept Up and the
Rations May Have to be
Again Reduced.
LONDON, March 2S.-The British High
Commissioner, Sir Alfred Milner, arrived
at Bloemfontein last night, and was met
by Lord Roberts and his staff.
According to dispatch from Bloem-
fontein, published in the second edition
of the Times, the High Commissioners
visit is Of private nature. 1t is thought
.his can scarcely be anything but an
official subterfuge, the question OF the
pacification of the Free State and the
treatment of the insurgents doubtless
being discussed between Lord Roberts
and Sir Alfred Miner
According to the same dispatch General
French, previous to returning to Bloem-
fontein, occupied the flour mills near
Batter. which are considered an import
ant acquisition.
Reports from Rockville and other towns
say the surrender of arms to the British
continues satisfactorily.
General Clements column entered
Fauresmith Tuesday, March 9th, having
previously occupied Jagersfontein. Mag
istrates were appointed, the proclamation
was read, bands of music met the troops,
and flags were flown. The scenes resem-
bled the American occupation Of Porto
Rico towns.
CAUSING SICKNESS.
Among the spectators at Fauresmith
6n1I ISrllt
rains made General Clements march
hard, and are causing sickness among
the troops.
"A dispatch from Maseru, Basutoland,
dated Tuesday, March 9th, says the ap-,
parently reliable reports that the Beers
are re-enterlng Ladybrand cause the pre-
sumption that the British troops have
crossed: the line of the Boer retreat to-
wards Kroonstadt and that a fight or
surrender near Ladybrand is imminent.
AS Maseru dispatches are not distin-.
guished for their accuracy, and as the
British force near Ladybrand under
Colonel Pitcher, is quite small. nothing
very definite seems likely to result from
the operations.
Further advices from A1afekinG, dated
March 10th, reitera te that all was we'll
there and that the Gordon was not so
tightly drawn, the Beers allowing natives
had previously forbidden.
The native refugees are reported to be
too Stupid and lazy to work or take cover
from the shells. They gather in crowds
around the soup kitchens, and have to be
driven away when the warning bell rings.
BoMBARDA1loNT VIGOROUS.
The bombardment just previous to the
dispatch being sent had been unusually
vigorous, and it was added that it was
probable that before long the ratons
would be still further reduced.
Two Boer prisoners escaped from the
camp at Simonstown March 26th. The
sickness there is unabated, and many of
| the prisoners are in serious condition
The only word from General Butler is
| a report of the officers who have recov-
| cred from wounds and who have re-
| turned to duty, which list includes the
| name of Lieutenant John Churchill, bro
! thcr of Winston Churchill.
A special dispatch from Bloenfontein
gays:
"The preiod of inaction is coming to
! an end Troops are being pushed to the
| front and transports and stores are being
collected. The men are in grand condi-
| ton and the horses are picking uD Won
| derfully.''
However. the reports regarding the I'M
| minence Of a forward movement are SO
conflicting that they cannot be taken as
in any way authoritative.
| ONS.
| Presiding at the annual meeting Of the
Militia Rife Assooia icn this evening, the
commander-in- chief Of the forces. Lord
| Wolseley, said the country was to be con-
sra tulated on the manner in which the
| war was proceeding. Great Britain, he
pointed out, had in the field the largest
army ever sent across the seas in the
| history of the world, and composed of the
| finest men he had ever seen in any army
This satisfactory situation, he continued,
was primarily due, to the wonderful army
system inaugurated by Lord CardWell
but for which it would have been ineoos-
sible for Great Britain sto carry on the
South Africa war, as, had 1T not been for
| the militia and reserves. Great Britain
would have been in a very bad way.
Continuing Lord tWolseley said nearly
nine hundred officers and thirty battalionS
of militia had been landed in South Africa
since the war, that q 900 militia had pass
| ed into the regulars since s1SSl-'SS. and
| that the emodime1rt of the military into
the regulars this year was successfully
carried out. =
| The Command er-in-C Chief further said
| tha the officer in charge of the embarka-
ton testified to the high standing of all
who went out. all of which, he concluded
proved the immense value of militia to
regular troops.