The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1900-04-20
TRANsvAAL WAR ITEMS.


Lord Roberts, in his telegram of pro-
test TO President Kruger regarding the
treatment TO which the colonial officers
and troops who are now prisoners at
Pretoria, has been subjected, complains
that the Beers have treated them as if
they were criminals confined in Jail.
He points out that there are 90 eases of
enteric fever and dysentry in the pris-
oners' camp at Waterva; that the
Transvaal government failed 10 supply,
on demand of the doctor, the necessary
medicines and medical comforts; that
the prisoners were forced TO bivouac on
the open veldt; that the sick were
placed in an open shed, with an iron
roof, and that it was only when the
new doctor threatened to resign that
medicines and mattresses were sup
Piled He invites President Kruger to
remedy this state of things and con-
tracts it with the treatment the British
give to Boer prisoners, sick and
wounded, who, as Lord Roberts says,
receive the same treatment as our
own soldiers"
According to Winston Churchill
the war in South Africa will
prove an extremely expensive
business He says 100000 men
will be needed before the end is at
tanned The question of re-mounts
will continue one of vital Importance
Great numbers are now arriving, but
owing to the fact that they have to be
put to work before time is given them
e
age their condition is low and the
death rate among them high Thous-
ands, therefore, will be wanted in adj
dition to those now there or on the
way, and great resting depots must be
| formed, together with an ample staff
to nurse and exercise them. If that is
| done, then, about four or five months
| hence, you will be able TO give your
cavalry new lease Of life and strength.
The British war office on the 18th is
| sued a return of the total British cas-
ualties up TO April 1t was as fol-
lows: Killed in action, 2ll officers and
900 men: died of wounds, As officers
and 465 men; missing and prisoners,
los officers and 3,722 men; died of dis
ease, AZ officers and LASS men; acct
dental deaths, officers and 80 men;
repatriated invalds, 2SS officers and
4.934 men; total, 1905, exclusive of
the sick and wounded now in hospital,
To the war Office returns of casualties
must be added the losses of the last
week and the wounded, aggregating
about 10000 men, making grand
total of upwards of $4,000 officers and
men put out of action
The enemys movements south OF
Bloemfontein have been checked. Wep-
ener is still surrounded, but the little
garrison is holding out well. Troops
are being moved TO their assistance
The health of the troops is good, and
the climate perfection. Accounts re-
ceived at Bloemfontein of the fighting
of the troops under Col. Dalgety, at
Wepener, show the Beers attacked
them vigorously, but were repulsed
with great loss. The Beers subSe-
quently relinquished the attack, and it
is said they are turning northward.
The Niobe and the Milwaukee ar
rived at the Island of st. Helena on
the 10th with the Boer prisoners. Their
health is good, with the exception of
four cases of measles, necessitating the
Milwaukee being quarantined. The
governor was notified of the desire of
the authorities that the prisoners be
treated with every courtesy and con-
sideration.
The Beers opened fire on the morn
ing of the 10th by sending shells into
the British camp at Elandslaagte from
three positions widely separated.
Troops moved out to reconnoiter and
found the Beers in strong force and
we'll fortified A naval 4.7-inch gun
replied to the Beers, who have again
placed long Tom in position.
|, Through the repeated exhibitions OF
incompetency on the part of Gen Cat
acre of the British forces, Lord Roberts
was finally forced to recall him. Sin
Herbert Chermside has been promoted
TO the command of the 18th division
Gatacre will Immediately return tC
England
A dispatch from Bloemfontein dated
April 10th says: The Beers have raised
the siege of Wepener and have left
Rouxville A majority of them has un
doubtedly retired north. with the eX
ception of body of about 5000, now
reported 10 be going toward Bethulie
The remainder of the Boer prisoner!
were landed at jamestown, st. Helena
on the 10th and sent to Deadwood
Col Schiel and the two others who haC
been confined at the citadel after thei
attempt to escape, have been released
and they also have gone to Deadwood
More than 5000 tons of stuff for tn,
English army in South Africa and
large number of mules started for Cap
Town from New York on the 18th il
the British steamer Clan Robertson. Ii
the consignment are 27,000 bales o
!. hay to be landed at Cape Town.
Owing to the unfavorable condition
for keeping the Boer prisoners at 81
mons Town the authorities have dc
{ cided to ship them all to St Helen
/. with the least possible delay. TIL
O sickness among the captured burgher