Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-21
1t is Thought They Will Not Defend
the Free State.
INDICATED BY BRIDGE DESTRUCTION
Mafehng Apparently Still Awaiting
Relief.
SWITZERLAND'S ATTITUDE

LONDON, March 21.-The second edition
of the Times today publishes dispatch
from Bloemfontein, dated Monday, March
10, which says:
THE blowing up of bridges by the Beers
is an evident sign that the Transvaaers
intend to abandon the defense of the Free
State"
All is quiet in the south and west. A
corps OF young Beers from the farms
around Bloemfontein, under an imperial Of
ficer, has been detailed for police work and
TO prevent the further Iooting of abandon
ed farms by the Kaffirs.
The Beers at Aliwal North are reported
10 be still holding a position in the big hills
on the Free State side.
The only news from South Africa showing
activity on either side comes from Warren
town, north of Kimberley, where desu,tory
fighting occurred all Sunday, resulting in
the retreat of the Beers toward Christiana
under shell fire The progress of this col
umn toward Mafeking has either almost
ceased or is forbidden to be mentioned in
dispatches. Nothing new comes from Col.
Plumer, and Mafeking apparently still
awaits relief.
The Pretoria account of the skirmish at
Fourteen Streams March 16 says that a
Boer commando was preparing to destroy
a railroad bridge and that the engagement
bugler was slightly wounded
The same dispatch announces the arrival
at the Transvaal capital Of General Schalk-
burger from Natal
1t is said that when President Kruger
left Bloemfontein after his recent visit
there President Steyns parting remark was.
Mind the British do not catch you. or you
will get better quarters at st. Helena than
Rudyard Kipnng has gone to Bloemfon-
tein-
Private Cole. the Canadian. whom the
queen visited at Netley Hospital, returned
TO South Africa today, fully recovered
from his wounds.
Switzerland's Reply to the Beers.
BERNE. Switzerland. March 21.-The fed
erel council has answered the Boer appeal
for mediation as follows:
The Swiss federal council would have
been pleased 20 cooperate in friendly medi-
alton in order to end further bloodshed but
as the presidents of both South African re-
publics have directly approached the British
government in order to conclude peace on
basis indicated. and the British government
has shown itself against the proposal; and
as, furthermore. the British government
has declared to the cabinet at Washington
that it did not propose to accept the inter
Ventton of any power, the Swiss federal
council, to its regret. must also renounce
the request made by the presidents of the
South African republics. There remains for
the federal council. in the circumstances
nothing but to express its sincere wish that
the belligerCntS will have succeeded, at no
too distant date, in finding a basis for an
understanding honorable to both parties"
LONDON, March 21-From Pretoria dis
patch it appears some misunderstanding re-
garding Lord Salisburys reply to America 3
offer of mediation exists there. 1t had been
quoted to the effect that Lord Salisbury
said he could accept the Intervention of no
other power, which leads to the belief that
the American representations would be lis
tened to in the final settlement.