The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-12
NEARING MAFEKlNG.
British Forces Arc Proceeding b,
Forced Marches.

British Forces Arc Proceeding by
Forced Marches.
London, May IA speoinl despatch
from Pretoria. dated May 10, says: "It
10 Announced that British relief force
OF three thousand Ia advancing along the
Bechuana railway by forced marches
night and day. II reached Vryburg yes
tsrday."
The Lourenzo Marquee oorrespondep pt
Of the Daily Mall in . despatch, dated
Friday. Msy II, says; "The Boer papers
report severe fighting on the western
border"
A special from RChristiana (TransvaAi),
by the Star dard and Digger News, says:
"Six hundred British cavalry crossed
the Vaal river Friday At Kalmdorg. about
eighteen miles below Fourteen Streams,
and went to Taungs, followed ny COM
mandoes. A second detachment OF the
British crossed at the same place Satur-
dey. The Griqualanders, under General
Aswogen, after being reinforced, Tepulsed
the British and forced them back in
| the direction Of Taungs.
H6eneral AsWogsn was killed. The
other boer casualties were seven
wounded. The British loss was heavy.
Taunss is occupied BY about three shous.
and British"
A special from Pretoria, dated Mon
day, In the same paper, records the Brit
ish seizure Of fourteen Streams Sunday
afternoon. II says: '.lhe British force
at Witrand was overwhelming. Subse-
quently the enemy moved their line to-
ward our positions. hombarding them
with such effect that the burghers were
compelled to retreat. Today forward
movement Of the British was checked
BY our forces, who drove them back In
two places
A Telegram from Pretoria dated Tues
day in the Standard and Digger News
says: "Ths British In their passage along
the Stallaland border toward Mafekin q
were engaged BY Commandant Bissel.
near Taunss with great success. Hun
drsds OF British troopers met water =
grave while attempting to Cross the Vaai.
IA second advance was made upon
Taungs Sunday morning by 1870 British
troops and ak guns. Comm unioation
with Taunxs was cut Sunday sfteruopn."
BOEkS DRIVEN ALONG.
London, May lilo. 80 o. n.-Lord Rob-
erts tslsgrsphs to the war office from
Rist Spruit under date OF May 10, eve
ming. as follows;
I'VE have had successful day and
have driven the enemy from point to
point. French, with Poraer's and Dick
sons brlgades OF cavalry, and Mutton's
mounted Infantry, dressed the Zand riv'
sr at Vsrmsnten's kraal and then
wor ked round In northeasterly direction
to Maatschappy. being opposed coptin-
vision and GoTdon's cavalry brigade,
augmented by battery OF the Royal
Horse artillery and by Htnry's and
Rosses' mounted infantry, crossed the
river BY q drift near the railway bridge.
MY quarters accompanied this force.
miles north Of the river. The cavalry
and mounted infantry are at Ventsrsbnrs
road station, and Tuoker's division Ia
at Dselfon teinnoid. Ian Hamiiton's force
and Broadwood's cayalry brigade wers
making for the cross roads near Ventsrs-
burg when laet heard from them. Ham
ilton's column mat with stubborn resiE-
tance and Smith Dorisn's brigade was
engaged for some hours In protecting the
rear and flank Of his force.
KRUGER CALLS ON GOD.
Cape Town. May 1i.--At the closing OF
the Volksraad Monday, May Z, presi-
a'ae %eoa ussf of the s' vSii.ra.a, shall this be
the final ac.s No, IL shall not. God
gill ee .sr!ifui .s L. apd ssrensthsn the tight.
The Presidspt added that he hAd docu-
msntery proofs OF "develish conspiracy
TO anhihilats the republics. =.
AAFEKING RELIEF FORCE
London, May "A dsspateh to the
Daily Mail from CAps Town, dated
Thursday ssys the 4efeking relief forse
has passed through vryburs.