The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-17
THE LATEST WAR NEWS
Reports Of Fighting Near Mafekine Ac-
copied with Reservation.
ACTIVITY At PRETORIA IS FEvERlsH
some Big News Being Held Back by
krugcr-White Flag Abused by
Boers--GIencoc Evacuated.

London. May l7--(3:30 a. m.)--The Brit
ssh relief column fought the Beers at
Kraai Pan, thirty-two miles south of
Mafeking, on Tuesday, according to tele-
gram received Wednesday night at
Lourenzo Marquez from Molopo, 100 miles
north Of Mafeking.
This intelligence is accepted here with
some reservation, because it is difficult
to understand how the news could have
been SO quickly put on the wire from
place 1870 miles from the scene OF the en-
gagement.
A correspondent of the Morning Post,
presumably John Stuart, is reported cap
tured by the Beers at Kraai Pan.
The British public Is keenly expec-
tant' of the announcement that Matching
has been relieved In army circles the
opinion seems to prevail that this has
already been accomplished, although two
hours after midnight the war ofhce as
serted that news of the relief had not
bean received. The steadfast courage
OF tho hng bitten garrison has pro-
duced a deep impression and the news
of suecor is awaited with more anxiety
than had been felt regarding any otner
Douglas Storey. the Daily Mails CORE
spondent at Pretoria, writes:
'@rhe Boer government Is holding BACK
some big news. Feverish activity pre-
walls here. President Kruger is working
day and night The latest Boer official
bulletin is that the relief column mas
been defeated with great loss
Lord Roberts continues passive al
Kroonstad His cavalry are stretching
lika a semi circular screen many miles in
length with outlapptng tanks. The rail-
way will probably be completed today
The Kroonstad censor permits the pas
sage Of long dispatches dealing with inci-
dents prior 10 the occupation.
1t seems that General French's cavalry
had one lively hgnt after crossing the
Zand river. a mixed squadron, composed
of the SCOTS Greys, the InniskilIings,
Carbineers and Australian Horse, took a
kopie and dlsmounted The Beers sudden
Iy fred from a concealed position, killing
many horses and stampeding the resi-. line
Beers then advanced in Overwhelming
numbers and drove the squadron BACK,
capturing some. The Beers robbed tho
dead and looted the saddles. A small bril-
gade Of cavalry drove them OFF.
Farther north the Hussars charged tho
Beers killing and wounding many strag-
glers with sabres and pistols.
Lord Roberts infantry marched 100 miles
in seven days.
General French marched thirty miles in
one day. The Beers. when retiring
dragged thirtytwo guns through Rroon'
stad
General Butler is moving toward New
Castle He appears to be using $4,000 mon
against 5000 or 5000. His operations viii
almost certainly result in his forcing his
way into the Transvaal, possibly In time
to cooperate with Lord Roberts advance
although General Butler Is now 202 mile'
from Johannesburg, or twenty-five days
march.
Dane. who was captured by the soutl
African Horse. says that there are so
Frenchmen with the Beers who are op
posing General Buller together with many
Germans and other foreigners.
The Ladysmlth correspondent If hi
Daily Telegraph says that only one Boo
was shot in the movement which resulted
in the taking of Helpmaakar.
General Rumble Is sweeping through tn
northeast OF the Free State. The Boer
are dissolving before him and some ar
surrendering. Their main force is as
fembled between Flcksburg and Winburg
but It is without close organization.
Today's installment OF the war stor
from every part OF the field Is therefor
seemingly a narrative of British successe'
but with the Beers preparing for las
desperate fling further in the interior an
with Boer guerilla parties looting house
and stores in the northwest section {
Cape Colony. It is not all roses for an
British.
The Upington district is the looallt
where the guerilla tactics of tho Booi
are just now most in evidence.
The postponed congress of tho Afrikan
der bvnd has been called 10 meet
Paarle. June Is.
A Canadian battery of fifteen FOUNDER
a frtn
May 10.
The Daily Graphic, which refers to tn
Boer mission TO the United States as a by
product OF the war says: There Is n
name OF Importance among the rioters VIII
saluted the delegates. We fear they hay
fallen Into sort of an Anglo-S Sake
ambush and are being yietimized for pur,
ly party purposes"
The Times considers the rumors cable
here as to president McKinley's allege
pro Bner sympathies, utterly baseless."
II says; President Mckinley Is cor
WINGED that the country does not wish hi
10 interfere and that Interference wou
be In all respects inexpedient. as well I
Impossible"
Ihe Lourenzo MARQUEE correspondent {
lhe Times, under Tuesdays date. saws
ihere has been heated discussion
the raau, In secret session. respecting IN
expectancy OF destroying the mines Tn
result Is not publicly known. The foreig
mining representatives are great
alarmed, and have addressed strong repre-
sensations to their respective consuls."
Persons acquainted with Colonel Bader
Powells scheme of defense at Mafpkin
assert that the occupation OF the Kaff
location by the Beers would not endangt
the garrison provided relief came quicll,
telegram from capetown SAYS this
Cecil Rhodes has decided to retire AIT,
gether from Cape Colony politics
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GLENCOE CAppunran