Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-05-17
THE WAR IN AFRICA.
Gen. Hutton Has a Skirmish with
Beers at the Zand River.
KRUGER RESPONSIBLE FOR MINES.
G,osd Roberts Halts ut smaldeel-A Strong
Party In the volksrasd Determined to
Secure the Rsopening Of Peace
Negotiations.

London, May 10.-Gen. Hutton'i
mounted infantry brigade, including
the Canadians, with part of Gen
French's cavalry, crossed the Zand
river Tuesday and began to work It's
way cautiously along the railway
porthward in the track of the retir'
ing Beers. About 5000 horsemen
were probably engaged in this ad-
vance.
Gen. Hutton, before he was Joined
by a part of Gen. French's force, had
u sharp fight. This was on Monday
when he reached the river and saw
the Boer conveys on the other side
and pressed forward, intending to
cross and capture them. The Beers,
however, opened fire with from eight
to ten guns, forded the river above
snd below, seemingly in thousands,
and sought to envelop the British.
Gen. Hutton fell back several miles,
the Beers following until other Brit
jsh cavalry reinforced Hutton. Dur
ing the night the Beers retreated,
not further contrasting the crossing.
The Boer attack on Gen. Hutton
does not indicate any such padcky
conditions as have been alleged to ex-
ut among them. Nevertheless the
British advance rolls on steadily. Gen.
Broadwood and Gen. Bruce Hamilton
Lave penetrated 10 miles beyond Win
burg. According to Boer advices
sharp skirmishes are Of daily occur
renee and there was brisk rifle en-
eagement outside Winburg on Satur-
Day.
A dispatch credited to o semi-ohl-
pisl source in Pretoria says: The
European powers have delivered a
collective note to President Kruger
Informing him that they will hold
him personally responsible for the
safety Of the mines and will support
England in enforcing compensation
IN che event OF their destruction.
Lord Roberts Halts ut smaldesL
London, May 1o.--A dispatch to the
Times from Snaldeel, dated Tuesday,
May 5, says: Lord Roberts has halt
I'd here to complete the railway and
10 allow time for the cavalry now re-
turning from Thaba N'Chu to take
the place designed for them in the
original scheme Of advance. Gen.
Hamilton last week was continually
In touch with Gen, Bothas rear guard
The enemy Unanswered field guns
skillfully to check Gen. Hamilton's
advance. On one OCCASION they
masked their position so well as to
Jsopardize the British convoy, which
was saved by the timely arrival Of the
highland brigade with naval guns.
The advance on Winburg was 30 rapid
thst Hamilton's advance scouts were
overlapping the town before Botha's
transport was clear, but owing TO
dimculties at the drifts the guns ar
rived too late to effect the conveys
capture.
A Party In volkraad Wants Peace
London, May lO.--The Lorenzo
AsrQues correspondent of the Times
Seisgrsphing Wednesday, says: I
learn that strong party in the
sClksraad Is determined to secure the
ssopening Of peace negotiations on n
basis which they are sanguine will
get the support Of majority Of the
rad, although the proposal invokes
strong Indignation from President
Kruger and State Secretary Reitz.
80 49,
london, May 1l.--Members OF the
house Of commons were freely bet
ting In the Hobbies last evening that
Lord Roberts would be in Pretoria in
two months. The ministerialists are
building confident hopes upon the
comprehensive plans he had commu-
nicated to the war Office. Predictions
are definitely made that he will be In
Kroonstad next Monday, and 1t is be-
Neved that his advance is already re-
connoitering in the vicinity Of Ven
ters, where the hilly country begins
again.
Beyond Kroonstad Is an intricate
end difficult country, and II the Beers
should elect to fight it is possible
they could check the progress of the
British until Lord Roberts numerous
cavalry had had time to ride around
their flank and threaten their rear.
From $4,000 to 10000 is the highest
estimate of the Beers under the post
command of Gen. Botha, who is said
TO have 40 guns, Gen. Botha and Gen,
DeWet are reported to have quarreled.
Lord Roberts is pressing hard after
this force with $4,000 men and $40
guns, and 10000 more men are easily
available.
President Steyn, with 10000 men, is
reported to have been east of Thaba
N'Chu yesterday noon and II battle
was then imminent. The advance
troops of Gen. Rumble and Gen. Bra-
bant were being fired on,
During a concert for the relief of
the sufferers from the Begbie works
explosion, given Saturday evening at
Pretoria in the Gaiety theater, the
doors were suddenly closed and every
man In the audience was comman-
deercd. All the horses were taken
from the cOuypyancpS outside