Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-04-06

Hon. Walter Hume Long, N. p. for West
Darby, Liverpool, said when the war was
over Great Britain should have to see that
the people of South Africa, no matter
what their color, religion or politics, have
equal liberty. lie could not say when the
general election would take place. but
1t would not be until after the government
had completed their task.
Nearly Two Hundred Fell.
London, April 2.--The war office has
posted the following dispatch from Lord
Roberts, dated at Boemfontein:
Reports point to the enemy leaving
Brandfort and proceeding in northernly
direction. The casualties in yesterdays
engagement were more numerous than at
first reported. Officers-Killed, 2; wound.
ed, 8. Rank and fle-Killed, 10; wound.
ed, l59; missing, g."
The Boer Account.
Kroonstaad, Orange Free State, April 2.
General Smuts has engaged the British
at Mafet kop, south of Brsndfort, and
held them at bay for six houra The
burghers fought well. The casualties are
unknown.
The Free State raad assemblies at kroon-
staad April 2.
The Latest From Mafekinx.
London, April 2.-Roberts reported to
the war office that he had received new.
from Mafeking up to March TO- The gen
eral health Of the garrison and it's spirits
were good. Locally made gun and search
light and ammunition were working we'll.
Food was holding out well and the paper
currency which the British commander
had issued was satisfactory.
Fight or he shot.
London, April 2.-From Cape Town it
is said that President Steyn has gone to
Pretoria, after, according to stories Of refu-
gees, having issued an order that all Brit.
ish burghers refusing to join the army
shall be shot. The stories OF the refugees
are, however, notoriously unreliable. News
from elsewhere is meager. The last re.
ports from Natal indicate a speedy clash
ing of the armies.
water supply Cut On.
London, April "a special dispatch
from Bloemfontein says that the water
supply of that place has been cut off.
This is the natural sequence of the Boer
success at the waterworks. But the au-
thorities are hopeful that the strong re-
Inducements sent by the commanderin
chief will promptly remedy this. 1t is evi-
dent from Roberts dispatch that big EN-
gagement is in progress.
Although it is difficult to estimate the
number of British engaged they probably
exceed even the eight or ten thousand
men which the Beers are estimated to
number The scene Of the British disaster
appears to be Mealie spruit, where the
Bloemfontein road crosses tributary OF
the Modder river.
To Dispute the Advance.
kimberley, April 3.-There is a great
Boer activity along the Vaal river. About
6OOO burghers have assembled at various
points between Fourteen Streams and
Christiana. About 100 men are occupying
Wirand north of Klipdam and 400 men
are laagered at Bootsap.
The Chnse Given Up.
London, April 5.-Generals Col,ille and
French have given up the movement
against the Beers eas, of Boemfontein
ana have joined the main army. 1t doubt
less seemed to Lord Roberts vain AT
tempt to send II 600 Of his best troops into
the, wilderness with field transport IN 4
direction at a right angle with his chosen
| line of advance The Beers have proba
bly moved elsewh here and if to the sousii-
west General Colville could as easily
strike them from Bloemfontein as by FOL
lowing them up across the plains These
inferences still leave the situation bewii-
dernp for the time being.
The enormously superior British forces
appear inactive in every part OF the war
feia. waiting yet, probably for the ac-
emulation of material for swift ad'
vance on the Transyaal.
The London commentators and the pun
lie to some extent are irritated ana con
fused by the situation.
webster Davis Resigns.