Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-03-23
BATTLE EXPECTED.
Bothn Looked for In NntnI-No
Definite News from MafeLing.

London, March 20.-Gen. Gatacre is
now resting at Springfontein, prelim-
mary to joining Lord Roberts. Gen.
Buffers hill work before Ladysmith
has given him an experience which is
about to be used in forcing the Big
garsberg range. 1t is believed that 25,-
900 of his 10000 men are about to en-
gage Gen. Botha's force, and the next
news of fighting will probably come
from Natal.
Thirty-two thousand additional
troops for South Africa are now at
sea.
The war Office has had no news up to
this hour confirming the report of the
relief of Mafeking, but George Wynd-
ham, parliamentary under-secretary
for war, replying to private inquiry
in the lobby of the house of commons
about midnight, smilingly said: II
think it is all right" The Free Staters
seemingly have not quite collapsed.
They are in considerable force around
Smithfield, though much disspirited.
A British spy from Rouxville re-
ported that Commandant Olivier and q
commando are going to Kroonstadt.
The agents he left behind are using dcs-
perate means to raise recruits, COM
Wandering British Beers under PEN
atty of death. Kroonstadt, where the
Beers are concentrating, is 1877 miles
from Bloemfontein. 1t is surrounded
by country of hills and jungles.
New York, March 2O.-"Great Brit
aims declaration that she will not toll
crate the Intervention of any power
effectually prevents Europe from at
tempting to end the hostilities in prog
ress in South Africa"
This statement was made Sunday
night in Washington by well-known
diplomat who has carefully followed in
ternational events transpiring in the
old world.
1.-The European horizon" he continued.
'is remarkably clear for England. Had in
tervention been contemplated. action would
have been taken when British prestige hao
suffered such a severe blow by the re.
pulses of Gen. Butler before Ladysmith. Oh
Gen. Gatacre at StormberR and Gen.
Mcthuen at the Modder river, The fact that
Russia did not at that moment Interfere
shows conclusively, believe, the truthful-
by the czar, which he endeavored to have
Incorporated into international law by the
conference held at The Hague.
"I think 1t may be set down as abso-
lutely correct that Russia does not propose
TO take advantage of Great Britain pres
ent preoccupation In South Africa. II IS
true that the loan just made to Persia VIII
increase her influence with that country.
That loan, however, is not due to the South
African war. Negotiations for Its subscrip-
ton were begun before the war COM
menced. Great Britain knew of it, but did
not try to prevent Persia from obtain
ing the money from Russia. 1t is untrue
that Russia has been massins troops on the
frontier of Afghanistan. Those reports
were probably put in circulation by per-
sons desirous of detracting attention IN
England from events occurring In South
Africa.
"It is to be expected that the presidents
of the South African republics will endeav-
or to secure peace through diplomatic
means. They probably fully understand py
row that there is no prospect of a second
Majuba hill and that IL peace comes be-
fore their governments are wiped out 1t
must be achieved by diplomatic negotia-
tions. Just how this is possible, however.
in view of Great Britain's positive declara-
ton l cannot say.
.'The note from the United States en-
abled Lord Salisbury to play strong card
at the right time. His declaration has done
much to clear the atmosphere for Great
Britain and has shown the world the hiten-
tion of the British government to deatroy
the two republics.
Undoubtedly the governments OF Eu-
rope have discussed the prospect of COM
pensation but there Is no talk of concerted
action at present 1t seems to me that had
the discussion been at all serious action
would have been inauguratec by the other
powers when the English troops were In
1t.r,N 10,
The Beers now seem demoralized; the Eng
lish have an immense force with which
to conquer them, and 1t is hardly probable
that the rebuffs sustained some weeks ago
by the British troops will be repeated.
Berlin. March 20.-The National Zei-
tung, referring to the rumored inten-
ton of the Beers to destroy the Trans
vaal gold mines, says: ''Such an act
would be justifiable, since it would pre-
vent the authors of the war, which the
| whole world has declared criminal
from securing the rewards of victory
London, March 20.-A dispatch tc
the Daily Telegraph from BloHmfon
| tein says: In o speech which he
made here fsw days before the
British entered the town, President
Kruger admitted that his men would
be unable to keep in the field for an
| other month"
Minneapolis, Mimi, March DE. T
Slade, manager in Ceylon for Sir Thorn
as Upton, says he has heard reports
from reliable sources that Cronje and
other famous Boer prisoners will be
sent to Ceylon instead OF st. Helena.