The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-23
REPORTED BATTLE NEAR BETHULIE.
Story That General Gatacre was Defeated
Discredited.
(By The Associated Press }

London, March GA report from
Kroonstadt, Orange Free State, via
Pretoria. that the Beers under the
command of General Olivier had de-
feated the British troops under Gen
eral Gatacre, in the vicinity of Bethu
lie, is not believed here. a dispatch
to the Daily News from Springfontein,
dated Tuesday, March Gosh, says Gen
eral Gatacre was 'all we'll" and adds
that he and General Brabant had not
lost, q dozen men in a fortnight. The
last advices also placed General Gata-
ere about thirty miles north of Bethu-
lie, where the Boer report says the de-
feat was inflicted This. combined
with the fact that no mention of the
affair was made by Lord Roberts, in
his dispatch of March 21st, confirms
the belief that the Kroonstadt adj
vices are erroneous.
The reports of skirmishing near
Lobatsi while apparently not infiicting
any serious loss on Colonel Plumer's
columns. cause grave anxiety in re-
gard TO his ability TO reach Mafeking.
Further news from that quarter is
anXiously awaited, for in the six days
that have elapsed since the last mes
sages were sent off a serious engage
ment may have occurred, though not
of Colonel Plumer's seeking. The
Beers seem determined not to give up
their prey at Mafeking without a
fierce struggle.
While the Beers and British in the
Orange Free State are taking advan-
tage of the period of inactivity to en-
ioy q rest, those on the borders of
Natal are beginning to show activity.
A special dispatch from Durham says
the town of Pomeroy, 80 miles east
of Ladysmith. has been burned by the
Beers. A British detachment arriving
at Pomeroy as the Beers evacuated
the place shelled the Burghers but
they succeeded in taking up strong
position in the hills with force es-
timated to number five thousand men.
1t has been learned that no new
peace overtures have been made to
Lord Salisbury. nor are any expected
at present by Great Britain. The tel
egraphic correspondence has been con-
fined to the treatment of prisoners.
Lord Salisbury, as already cabled, is
holding the Presidents of the South
African Republics responsible for the
welfare of British prisoners. The
question of safety of Johannesburg
and the gold mines there has not been
raised.
The correspondence exchanged be-
tween Lord Salisbury and President
Kruger will shortly be given to Par
lament.
MANY BOERS SURRENDERING
London, March 22.-Lord Roberts
telegraphs from Bloemfontein under
date of March 21st as follows:
$50 many burghers have expressed
desire to surrender under the terms
of the list proclamation that l have
sent small columns in various direc-
tions to register their names and take
over their arms.
"A cavalry brigade has gone to the
eastward to Thahanchu, and detach
ment from Springfontein has occupied
Smithfield where some TranSvaalers
and a wagon with arms and ammuni-
ton were captured. The Scots Guards
are at Edenburg and Reddershnrg.
General Clements brigade is march
ing hither by way of Philpottis and
Fauresmith.'
WARREN'S DIVISION EMBARkING.
London, March (Fridayj-The ''aDe
Town correspondent Of the Daily Ch"oni-
Gle, telegraphing Thursday, says that Sir
Charles Warren's division IS emharking
at Durham for East London, Cape Colony.