The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-11
An Important Undertaking That May
Result I'm Fleeing the Enemy
Between Two Fires.
FRENCH NEAR BLoEMFoNTEIN
BRABANT's FLYING COLUMN on THE
WAY TO ALIwAL NORTH.
Kitchener Preparing to Suppress q
Rising of Cape Colony Dutch-No
Lute News from Mafeking.

LONDON, March IL. 2:2O a. MIN the alb
sence of important news from the seat OK
war speculation is rife regarding the prob
ability of an early peace. President Kru-
gers appeal to Lord Salisbury for a cessa-
ton of hostilities, announced on Friday.
is taken as foreshadowing that the end
will soon be in sight The governments
views are probably enunciated in the fol-
lowing semi-official statement, issued last
night:
'It is understood that the government
does not consider that the time has yet
come for any authoritative statement as
to ultimate overtures of peace and no
member Of the Cabinet has authorized any
published statement on the subject IL is,
or course, generally understood among all
political parties in this country that so
far as the South African republics are con-
cerned the status quo ante-bellum cannot
remain unaltered after the close OF hostili-
ties. Their part in the system which in
volved a large measure Of political and
military independence will, OF course. be
materially modified as a result Of the war,
peace must be further advanced before her
Majestys government can either finally
formulate proposed terms of settlement or
make any announcement OF their plan"
Several papers announced yesterday that
the government last Tuesday received five
messages from President Kruger and
President Steyh. in Dutch. asking on what
terms a cessation Of hostilities could be
oh
delighted the department concerned. While
their tenor was understood, IL was found
necessary to summon persons thoroughly
capable of accurately interpreting the
messages. all of which were filed at Bloem-
fontein. The Cabinet convened on Wednes-
day to consider the messages. and It is be-
lieved an uneompromising reply was sent,
which is known to have reached the gov
ernments concerned. The nature OF the
reply was such as to lead to further but
gradual retirement of the Boer forces.
BULLER'S MOVEMENTS.
General Sir Redvers Butler has found an
army Of Beers encamped at Biggarsburg
and is moving against IL. a dispatch from
Boer headquarters there. dated March 2,
says: "Shots were exchanged this morn
ing near Helpmakaar with a small body OF
British, who retired hastily. Scouts report
that the British main advance is coming
from Ladysmith towards Sundays river
Another dispatch from the Boer camp at
Biggarsburg says: Twelve thousand Brit
fish are threatening the Boer positions from
the direction Of Helpmakaar. while party
OF British scouts was encountered at
Waschbank March s."
This force was probably General Hunters
division, and IT is considered quite prob
able that an attempt may be made TO ira
verse the neck OF Zululand into the Trans
vaal, thus effecting the double purpose OF
outfanking the Beers at Blggarsburg and
threatening Vryheid and Utrecht. The
Beers are reported to be al Biggarsburg in
considerable numbers. but IL is said they
are already sending their stores TO the rear.
Spencer Wilkinson summarized the situ-
alton in South Africa for the Associated
Press at midnight follows: The fight
ing reported near helpmakaar Is probably
only the result of a reconnaissance. and IL
seems to me to be premature TO assume
that any movement in large force is IN
progress in that direction. General Butler.
as soon as communications are in order,
will certainly do what he can TO keep the
bOer force IN Ndldl tDBdstus ana 10 pre-
vent them all from being used 10 refnforce
the army resisting Lord Roberts. I ex-
pect Lord Roberts to strike Bloemfonteln
in a day or two. AS 10 Mafekihg. IL IL Il
not relieved very soon. the place must fall
One therefore hopes brigade was sent up
from Kimberley for its relief. within a. day
or two CT the evacuation OF Magersfontein
by the Beers. There has been time for
such a column to reach Mafeking by rosd.
but there is no direct evidence OF its ex-
istence. and the wish is father 10 the
| thought"
General Joubert appears TO have left ac-
tive service TO take charge OF the War
Office at Pretoria. Lourenzo Marques
stories attribute his action partly TO the
alleged fact that he has lost both control
| over and confidence In the burghers and
partly 10 his wish to push the preparations
| for the siege which are supposed 10 be be-
| ing made at the capital
| The military authorities here are CT the
| opinion that General French must be near
] Ing Bloemfontsin.
ahs War onoe = unable y eon1rm ~
=. +. -.