Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1900-06-15
GEN.BOTHA WILL FIGHT II OUT
HE WOULD NOT SURRENDER
After ConsuIting with His Men-ven-
tordorp Accepted by Hunter
Boers Are Active In Orange River
Colony.


London, June liza belated dispatch
from Mount Prospect, via New Castle,
Natal, throws light on the armistice agreed
upon by the British and the Beers recent
~. 1t appears that General Butler met
General Christian Botha June at ONeilIs
farm, between Umguela and Majuba, and
summoned Botha to surrender. Botha
said he was not empowered to accept the
demand.
General Butler replied: Every well" and
turned to go away, when General Botha
pressed him to make a proposal. Gen.
eral Butler said he had no proposal to
make, but pointed out that the Beers
were surrounded and referred to the use
lessness of shedding unnecessary blood.
'sWhat do you want us to dot" asked
General Botha, beseechingly.
Return to your farms, leave your big
guns and await Lord Roberts decision, =
replied General Butler.
The federal commander said he would
refer the question to the burghers. Gen
eral Butler then acceded to his (Botha' -
appeal for armistice until daybreak June
8, showing the reports of General Butler
having requested an armistice to have
been incorrect.
The dispatch adds that the federals are
understood to have % guns in position,
but it is doubtful if they can remove them.
Their only line of retreat is in the direc-
ton of Lydenburg General Buffers dis
patch shows that the burghers ultimately
decided not to surrender.
Hunter Meets with Success.
Lichtenberg, June ll.-General Hunters
advance column has occupied Ventordory,
the Beers quietly surrendering in small
: bodies. Considerable plundering has been
done. Mahon's column has rejoined Hun
ter.
Activity Is Not Agreeable.
London, June ll.-London is somewhat
disguised at the "disagreeable activity
manifested by the Beers in the Orange
River colony in cutting Roberts tele-
graphic communication at Roodeval, north
Of Kroonstad. As yet there are no indi-
cations whence came the strong body Of
1900 Beers that has arrived at Roodeval,
unless it is the force mentioned in re-
cent Boer dispatch as having started from
Standerton with this very object in view
Apparently the authorities on the spot re-
gard the situation as at least temporarily
serious, as they are not only reinforcing
the garrison at Kroonstad, but are sending
up troops from the lines of communication
in Cape Colony
Roodeval is a fairly strong position, 81
miles north of Kroonstad, capable of Civ
ing General Kelly Kenny trouble should
the federals elect to dispute its possession
as General Kelly-Kenny cannot be over
burdened with cavalry with which tc
threaten the burghers' lines of retreat. Inc
news somewhat discounts the flattering de
auctions the Britishers have been extract
ing from Roberts silence, as 1t indicates
that the menace of the Beers to carry OF
prolonged guerrilla warfare is no empty
threat, and that President Steyn is still
capable of creating serious, if only tenn
porary, trouble.
Parliamentary returns just issued show
that SO members Of the house of lords
and 90 members of the house of commons
are serving with the British troops il
South Africa.