Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-18
THE BoERs SURPRISED.
Roberts, Advance In Trnnsvnal I'm.
expeetsd by the Beers.

London. May Is s.-Five British forces
are advancing Ia South Airtca-Gen
Buffers troops on Newcastle. Gems.
Rundle and Brahant on ClocolRn, Lord
Methuen's force on Hoopstad, a portion
OF Gen. Hunter 9 division along the Vaal
river toward Klerksdorp, and, presuma-
bly,, another portion Of the same division
10 the relief of Mafeking. Not one of
these forces seems to be meeting With
serious resistance, except that which Is
attempting the liberation Of Col. Baden
Powell's furnishing command.
Gen. Buller's troops are rapidly re-
pairing the railroad between Eland-t
slaagte and Glencoe, and Natal's deliv-
erance from the invaders is supposed to
be practically complete. The Orange
Free staters in the Clocolan region are
reported to be gradually giving up the
struggle.
Lord Roberts states that Lord Methu-
en- during his march toward Hoopstad5
encountered none OF the enemy, and
Gen. Hunters occupation of Ghristianas
was unopposed. This occupation ap-
pears to have been effected by means Of
stratagem, whereby the Beers were
led to believe that portion Of Lord
Robrts' troops intended to attack
Klerksdorp.
The fighting at Mafeking surely seems
to have been fierce and bloody. The
Beers admit defeat, reporting seven OF
their number killed. seventeen wounded
and considerable party taken prison-
ers but they declare the town is still be-
aieged. Popular uneasiness In London
on account OF the precariousness Of the
chances ofHhe besieged Britishers grows
apace anu fluids :rcG.c.: esT
preston in parliament In questions ad-
dressed to the under secretary OF war.
Mr.. George Wyndham. all of which go
without Satisfactory answer.
Meantime Lord Roberts continues his
halt at Kroonstad. while the widely
separated wings OF his army draw in
toward the final objective of the CAM
paign. Shortly the Transyaalers will
find themselves menaced by forces adj
yancing from Laing 'snek, Kroonstad
Z Hoopstad. Christiana and possibly
Mafeking, not to mention Gen. Car
rington's troops in Rhodesia,
England still waits with intense and
almost breathless interest for news OF
the relief OF Mafeking. "A crowd re-
markable for the number OF men in
evening dress and including many
ladies' fingered around the war office
even after midnight. hoping for some
announcement. One thing seems clear
the town still holds out. Were 1t other
wise the Boer wires laid to the camps
Of the beleaguers would have flashed
the news.
skeleton messages from Lourenzc
Marauez, based upon Information thai
leaked out at the Pretoria war ONCE
show that the Boer stOrmers Saturday
fell into trap. Col. Baden-Powel
permitted them to seize one fort ana
then he surrounded and overbore then
before the large forces near at hant
perceived the strategem. It was thu
that sarel Eloff. President Kruger
grandson, and, part OF his command
were taken and fifty Beers killed.
The Canadian artillery contingent o
the Rhodesian force 10 now reported =.
have reached Buluwayo May 2. Tn
4 distance from Buluwayo to Mafekings \
40 miles. As the railway is open al
the way to Pitsani. twenty-eight mile
from AIafekinE. where Col. Plumer Il
the Canadians may yet take part in II
4 relief.
Gen. French scouting northward
found the Beers in strong force a
Rhenoster spruit, thirty miles fron
Kroonstad. Gems. Botha. Delarey an
Olivier. with artillery, were holding th
position. 81 "a 3 81.