The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-07

LONDON, March Lord Roberts still
pauses in the neighborhood of Osfontein,
while stores, remounts and fresh troops
stream toward him from the Cape. The
British position also continues to improve
in the minor spheres of the campaign.
Natal is clear of Beers, and Cape Col
ony is nearly so. The Beers, seemingly,
are pursuing the course commended by
the strategists and are concentrating to
resist the British main army. Various
messages from correspondents with Lord
Roberts report that the enemy are in
creasing continually on his front, extend
ing as one correspondent wires, eight
miles, and, as another says, eighteen
miles. The lowest estimate of their num-
bers gives the Beers from 5000 to 10000,
with smaller bodies moving north and
south of the British lines. Each army
is on both sides of the Modder river.
Although the Beers have mounted eight
guns on the top of kopjes and appear to
be too far away for inspection, the British
scouts report that they are diligently
using pick and shovel Military opinion
is that their present position merely
screens more easily defended one
further back. No one seems able to
suggested that he is quite willing TO
give the Beers time to assemble all their
men in order to be able to give sweep
ing blow more effectively.
ANNEXATION SCHEME.
The round robin, in favor of the an
nexation of the Transvaal and Free
States, which is being promoted among
the supporters of the government in the
house of commons, continues to receive
signatures. The signatories to the me-
mortal to Mr.. Balfour affirm that the
time has come for plain speaking inside
and outside Of parliament, and that Lord
Salisbury's words are being construed
into pledge against annexation, and
Lord Roberts proclamation into a pledge
of no confiscation of Boer property.
The Transvaal agency at Brussels pre-
diets rising of Cape Dutch in the event
of annexation, though why the Dutch
should rise then rather than now is not
explained
Mr.. A G. Hale, the Daily News CORE
Spondent. who was captured by the Beers
on Feb. 8, was released at Bloemfontein
and put through the lines near S;erk-
stroOm. He telegraphed that the Beers
are demoralized, but adds that they have
been treating the British wounded splen-
didly.
REPORT FROM ROBERTS,
The war office has received the follow
ing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
"Osfontein March 6-Gen. Gatacre oc-
cupied Stormberg yesterday The lines
of railway north and west will now be
repaired. Gen. Clements is at Joubert's
Siding station bevCO6
Duke of Marlborough, with the Oxford
company Of the yeomanry has left Cane
Town for Naauwpoort.
Gen. Butler reports Natal now prac-
tically clear of the enemy and that he
cannot hear of any formed BODY of thern
anywhere. The Beers left some ammu-
balances full of their sick from which the
mules had been taken for transport
service"
Surgeon Treves cables from Ladysmith
that the condition of the town is most
deplorable and that there are 800 cases
OF typhold fever Lavish supplies of
comforts are now In the place. however.
ACTIVITY OF BOERs.
A dispatch to the Daily News from Mod
der River, dated Monday, March s. and
describing the Boer position in front of
Lord Roberts, says:
The Beers seem to be busy intrenching
They have mounted eight guns on high
kopjes. 1t is marvellous how they drag
these weapons into such positions
1T is reported that at a recent emer-
gency meeting of the Free State raad at
Bloemfontein a radical difference Of opin-
ION developed, the majority favoring peace
at any price, but the minority, including
President Steyn, advocating a fight to the
end"
GEN. JOUBERT COMMANDS.
A dispatch to the Standard from Osfon-
tein, dated Sunday, March 4, SAYS:
Gen. Joubert is reported to be in su
preme command of the Boer forces here"
AUSTRALIANS COMPLIdENTED
CAPE TOWN, March IAN undated
telegram from Colesberg says that the
Australian regiment has been honored by
a visit from Lord Kitchener.
The Arundel column has been largely
reinforced. An official notification has
been issued that the Queenstown procIa-
nation of Nov. q, regarding certain
terms offered the rebels by Gen. Bra
bant in event of their surrender, has been
withdrawn, but those in arms against
England may return to their farms
upon surrendering their weapons, receiv-
ing a pass, but they are liable to be call
ed to account later.
REBELS GIVEN FREE HAND.
ORANGE RIVER, Cape Colony. March
6.-The recent British victories have had
q wonderfully quieting effect upon the
rebel Dutch, many of whom in the neign.