West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-02-14
THE BOER WAR.
General Situation as Given Out by
Consul General Pierce.

fund, has given out a statement
about the condition of affairs in
South Africa.
The statement in part is as fol-
lows:
"Advices by cable and private
messages from Europeans in South
Africa are more encouraging than
at any time since the beginning of
the war. There can be no doubt of
the final success of the Beers who
will accept no other terms from
Great Britain than peace with honor,
meaning the full recognition of both
republics, with full treaty making
powers and without the language of
"suzerainty." The Beers are not
yet ready to negotiate with England
for peace, but are determined to
continue the fighting until the gen.
eral situation is strong enough in
their favor to make diplomatic steps
certain.
"The three pretended peace COM
missioners sent to DeWet by the
British were spies and traitors.
They interfered with the Burghers.
"The Boer forces in the South
African Republic and the Orange
Free State, including the invaders
of Cape Colony, number over az
600 men, strong, liberty loving
patriots. Born hunters and trained
marksmen, they are admirably fitted
by long training to carry on the
guerrilla warfare which has so sore
ly crippled the British army. They
have so far succeeded in obtaining
by capture, large portion of their
supplies from the British. Gen.
Christian De Wet, that greatest
cavalry leader of modern times, in
one week has captured S82s, 900 in
gold and 1870, 900 khaki uniforms
enough to last the army for four
years-he has also captured over
100, 900 horses and 5000 prisoners.
He and his forces alone have in
fiicted on the British, losses of over
S75, 900, 900. The Boer forces are
very mobile and have advanced to
within two days march, or Ioo
miles, of Cape Town. Most of the
Burghers have two horses-many OF
them three-enabling them to make
rapid marches and quick retreats.
The British march YEARLY about
the country with wagons (drawn by
slow oxen) loaded down with camp
equipments and loot. The Beers
have an abundance of provisions,
guns and ammunition, and when
short of any of these important ele-
ments it is only necessary for them
to capture British outpost or pro-
vision train, and help themselves to
what they need.
"From the above it can be read
lily understood why the Beers can
continue the war indefinitely regard
less of the number of British troops
sent against them.
1.-The Beers total losses in killed
and dying from wounds in battle
have not exceeded 1900, but the
loss in property and the impover-
ishment of the people has been very
great. Thousands of women and
children are left in state of desti-
tuition and hundreds of thousands
of dollars will be required to render
them immediate and effective again.
'rrhe war has cost Great Britain
$500, 900, 900 in gold--a sum twice
greater than the entire value of the
republics if sold to the highest bid
ders-and over 100, 900 of her
troops have been rendered hors du
combat. During the past one or
two months the British have been
compelled to act almost entirely on
the defensive.
"The war is costing Great Britain
at the present time over 81, 900, 900
per day for troops in field and Boer
prisoners at St. Helena, Ceylon and
other points. The British failure
to open the Kimberly and Johannes
burg mines has deprived British
stockholders of dividends on secur-
tiles listed at $3.50, 90, 900 and has
reduced the output Of diamonds and
gold Sz84, 900, 900 and has added
$500, 900, 900 to the taxation OF
Great Britain and Ireland. These
tremendous sums subtracted from
British resources have resulted in
the impairment of the values OF
many kinds Of securities dealt in by
London stock brokers and are the
superinducing causes Of numerous
bankruptcies in British financial
circles.
Mrs. Carrie Nation hunked fol
the FIRST time in her saloon smashing
"reform" last Thursday night al
Topeka, Kansas. She had organ.
go H.. e..