The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 17, 1900, Page 1

VOLUME LXXXVII—NO. 107. SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ROBERTS WILL. SOON BEGIN THE ADVANCE ON PRETORIA R e s ] D = =Y PPN N ¥ s - o e oebeH R i o e S @ D R R R R R I R R R R R R IR SR Rk = = S S S IS D e . . . . . + ¢ bd . . b @ . s e ® | . 41 ® ®| . s : s # | . 3 § .| . * + Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Chief of Staff, South Africa. & 2 o s from Egypt the Soudan the conqueror of the & to face a aver situation than he had ever is lifetime. He faced it. Order sprang ¢ | lefeat changed to confidence and victory ¢ | nd v-haired veteran chief, who as the ¢ | e new order of affairs made Kitchener's opportunity pos- & | - e . D T e e e SRSt Y Some of the Disheartened Boers, Including Generals . Lucas Meyer and Schalkburger, Admit Their Cause Is Hope- > over the ver here has been zom- | theyare bivouacking on Orange rossed and to-ni| following dispatch from ng is proceeding on tae at the Boers themsslves 4 eyer refuses to fight agaia Schalkburger has also returned, and the March M4 (via Lourenzo Thursday, March 15).—The has handed the following dispatch to President Kruger: nment of Germany and the Emperor will be glad and ready to mediation as soon as the fundamental conditions to such are is demonstrated that both opponents desire mediation. dy exists on the British side can be found by the re- at, London, the good offices Marques, Gov friendly ics on d ¥ or through of a third government which has no important interests of its own to consider in South Africa. The latter umption is qualified with a number of nations In and 1y such step on the part of the outside t s and have other than a humani- increa ereby engendered would not promote a ettlement. The request of the republics to transmit their appeal for Austro-Hungarian the German consulate - RUMORS THAT STEYN WILL SURRENDER. the tched by and § Governments, whose interests as been immediately fulfilled.” w BLOEMFONTEIN, March 15.—General Prettyman is succeeding admirably as Governor of the town. He issued a proclamation to-day requesting the burgh- within @ radius of ten miles to deliver up their arms, assuring them they uld be paid for the confiscation of their property. rd Roberts is about to issue fresh proclamations, which, it is considered, the effect of disarming further opposition upon the part of the Free ave Collings has been appointed Landdrost, vice Pappenfus, deposed, and zer will act as Mayor. Great quantities of stores captured at Wasser- ‘ve been recovered. As a result of Hunter and Weston's line cutting -the have secured twenty-six engines and the line has been cleared to the River. Rumors are current that former President Steyn is willing to Much unrest exists among the Dutch population. The burghers de- , saying they are innumerable and of identical he soldiers as locusts, th them. ROBERTS' OPINION OF GATACRE'S DEFEAT. FONDON, March 16, 7:42 p. m.—Lord Roberts, in transmitting General Gata- cre's report of the Stormberg defeat. gives his opinions thus: “The failure was mainly due to resance on inaccurate information regarding the ground to be traversed to the jwsition held by the Boers, to the employment of too small a force and to the men being tired out by a long night march betore they came in contact with the enemy. When it became evident shortly after mid. ht that the guides were leading tae column in the wrong direction, I conmder jatacre should have halted and endeavored to find a.proper road, or should have fallen back on Molteno, rather than nave risked the safety of the entire force by following a route which brought the troops into difficult ground commanded or: both sides by the Boers.” o BRITISH CASUALTIES AT DREIFONTEIN. LONDON, March 16.—It was officially announced to-day that the British casu- alties at Dreifontein on Mareh 10 were sixty-two men killed and 321 wounded, in- cluding one Canadian wounded, ; A Majority of the Continental Powers Having Refused to Intervene in the South African War, the British Intend to L.ose No Time in the Campaign Against the Transvaal Republic. [ e - - B KRUONS1AD, NEW CAPITAL UF THE ORANGE FREE STATE. On the advent of Lord Roberts’ army to Bloemfontein President Steyn fled to Kroonstad, seventy & miles to the northeast on the line of the railroad to Pretoria, and there established a new seat of gov- + ernment. The town is the bage of the next line of resistance of the Boers, who are there concentrating, : it is said, to the number of 50,000 under Joubert himself. B e GG SRR SRORY SRR S S S S HAr'oo. R e e e e T S S e S S S S S Gl e G o I SEOIPAR MDA MDA SN S SO S S | ONDON, March 17, 4:20 a. m.—\ith the railway communication to the Cape intact, Lord I_ Roberts will in a few days be in a position to begin the advance on Pretoria. His deep po- litical intuition, combined with his bold strategy, is having the result desired in the south- ern sections of the Orange Free State, which are rapidly calming down. Mafeking is now the only point for anxiety, and as it is known that a force has left Kim- berley its relief may be announced before many days pass. The efficiency of the relieving column is heightened by the fact that it is partly composed of regulars. In the lobbies of Parliament last evening it was remarked that Lord Roberts is about to is- sue a proclamation announcing that the former system of government in the Orange Free State is abolished and promising Free Staters who immediately surrender due consideration. It is understood that the continental powers, with one excepticn, uncompromisingly re- fused to intervene. The exception was Russia, whose reply was cotiched in less firm language. al- though, like the others, she declined to interfere. It is said that the Pope was appealed to, but that he declined to do anything beyond writing a letter to the Queen, appealing to her to stop the further effusion of blood. Dr. Leyds’ efforts with King Leopold were quite futile. The possibility of the destruction of Johannesburg is still discussed here, but it is believed that the French and German shareholders would offer a strong protest. The latest advices respecting the surrender of Bloemfontein show that the approach of the British caused a stampede: Thirteen trains, each composed of forty cars, and all crammed with Boers, hurried northward just before the line was cut. Mr. Steyn would have been compelled: to surrender, but he pretended that he was going to visit one of the outposts, and.at midnight took a carriage which was waiting for him outside the town and thus escaped. The Boers got the bulk of their wagons and military stores away. — e o WAR INTEREST CENTERS IN SOUTH OF FREE STATE. Special Cable to The Call and the New York Herald. Copyrighted, 1900, by the New York Herald Company. ONDON, March 17.—War interest centers largely this morning about the Boer forces in south of the Orange Free State, and the converging movement being directed against them by Brabant, Clements and Gatacre. Thelr strength is variously estimated at from 2000 to 5000, the latter figure being more likely to be correct. They were in the neigh- borhood of Bethulie, Aliwal North and Noryals Pont cn Thursday, but have since vanished from Aliwal North. One Boer command has fallen back into Basutoland, and, according to dispatches, is there waiting to surrender upon learning the terms of Lord Roberts’ proclamation. General Pole-Carew has arrived at Springfontein, and is in position to add his force to that of Clements or Gat- acre as the situation demand Genera! Gatacre threw his force over the Orange River and occupied Bethulie without a shot being fired. General ements has effected a crossing at Van Zyls, to the east of Norvals Pont. Brabant, who is also on the north of the river at Aliwal 'North, is reperted to be confronted by the Boeers, who are on the hills and have Krupp guns. - He is hampered by lack of artillery. The question seems to be not whether the Boers will contest the advance of these three forces, but whether they will succeed in making good their retreat with the rallroad barred and Pole-Carew threatening their rear. i PR S S S P S I S S S P S S P S S S S S S N Y Lord Roberts reports that the resistance in the southern part of the Free State is collapsing. Several hundred burghers have decided to surrender and return to thelr farms. The proceedings at Bloemfontein, according to Brifish reports, almost verge upon comic opéra. It could hardly have been expected that the capital would receive an invalling army with open arms or decorate and make demonstrations in honor of the enemy’s success. If these accounts are accurate,.there is apparently only one explanation, that Is, that the Free State is tired of the war and anxious to make peace, regardless of the action of the Transvaal. ROBERTS EXPECTS TO MARCH INTO PRETORIA. LONDON, March 16.—Lord Roberts’ success in handling the civil problems at Bloemfontein and the man- ifest equanimity with which the residents of the capital of the Orange Free State accept the British occupa- tion momentarily eclipse in interest the military situation. It is believed here that the commander-in-chief of the British forces in South Africa will soon push on to Pretoria, but Great Britain is quite content to listen for a few days to the acclamations of the people of Bloemfontein and permit the troops to enjoy a few days’' rest before expecting further success, Lord Roberts made a quamnt speech to the guards at Bloemfontein to-day, when, in his first congratu- latory words, he expressed pride In -their splendid march of thirty-eight miles In twenty-eight hours and gave ample assurance of his ultimate design. “Through a small mistake,” said Lord Roberts, “I have not been able to march into Bloemfontein at the head of the brigade, as I intended. I promise you, however, that I will lead you into Pretoria.” MANY BURGHERS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES. LONDON, March 16.—Lord Roberts has sent the following dispatch to the War Office: “BLOEMFONTEIN, Friday, March 16.—General Clements crossed the Orange River yesterday. Repairs to the rail- way bridge at Norvalspont have commenced and it will shortly be ready for traffic. General Pole-Carew telegraphs his c-rival at Springfontein, so that Bloemfontein now is practically in rail communication with Cape Town. My procla- mation is already having an excellent effect. Several hundred burghers have expressed their intention to surrender their arms and return to thelr occupations. “The resident commissioner of Basutoland reports that 800 Boers lately arrived from Bloemfontein, and that a fur- ther contingent from Aliwal North was only waiilng to know the terms of my proclamation. They had refused to at- tend a council at Kroonstadt to which President Steyn had summoned them.” . . FOR IS TO GAIN TIME. LONDON, March 17.—S8pencer Wilkinson in the Morning Post says: “The difficulty now is to imagine a satisfactory plan of operations for the Boer commander in chief. At an outside estimate his available forces cdn hardly be 40,00 men. The Boer positions will always be turned before a frontal attack is made. To await the attack will be to risk capture. The only plan to avoid it will be a hasey retreat.” Then proceeding to discuss various possibilities for the Boers Mr. Wilkinson arrives at the following conclusion: “The best thing the Boers can hope for is to gain time. There is a chance of their being able again to restore the equilibrium and to turn the balance in their own favor. By gaining time they may hope for some foreign intervention or complication. Great Britain must, therefore, push the war with the utmost vigor and must not spare any effort to keep the navy and the home defense forces in the utmost efficiency, ready for any emergency.' BEST THING BOERS CAN HOPE 'RHODES SCORES BULLER'S PECULIAR GENERALSHIP. LONDON, March 17.—The Dally Mail publishes an interview this morning with Cecil Rhodes, secured by Julian Ral, Continued on Third Page. . e . » An Infiovation—British Officer Explaining the Plans of Attack to His Men. The picture shows a position known as the “Outlook,” a rocky prominence about 400 feet high, rising almost perpendicularly above the plain through which the Tugela River runs. The men of the Scottish Rifles were brought up, carefully hiding themselves behind the rocks and bushes, and their offi- cer pointed out to them the position of the Boers and explained what they were expected to do when the attack was made. This was indeed an inno- + vation in the method of making war, QD ed e P et eded e P eOededededsdededetereie@ Boer Prisoners to Be Detained Indefinitely on Transports and Free Staters May Be Spared. the Trip to St. ‘Helena.- ONDON, March 17.—The Cape Town correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: L ’“The Boer prisoners, I learn, will be detained indefinitely on board the transports, and the Free Stators will perhaps be spared the trip to St. Helena."” LONDON, March 17.—The Lisbon correspondent of the Standard s: milt- tary force of seventy officers and 712 men will sail for Lourenzo Marques on Tues- day next. This will include a battery of artillery and a squadron of cavalry.” LORD METHUEN'S REPORT ON HIS DEFEAT. LONDON, March 16.—The London Gaszette this evening publishes General Lord Methuen's report of the actions at Magersfontein December 10 and 11, dated from Modder River February 15. After explaining the difficulties of an attempt to out- flank 16,000 Boers and arguing that a blow dealt at the Boer center at Magers- fontein would be more effective, he says his orders were to relieve Kimberley, and therefore the day the last reinforcements arrived he decided to attack Magers- fontein Kopje. The general then proceeds to describe the artillery bombardment of the position and how the Highland Brigade was led to the point of assault after the late Major General Andrew G. Wauchope had previously explained all he in- tended o do and the particular part each battalion was expected to play. Lord Methuen then says: “Two rifles accidentally went off and the flashes from a lantern gave the enemy timely notice of the march.” The report then proceeds to show that Gemeral Wauchope deployed his men too late and suddenly the Boers poured in a heavy fire. Colonel Hughes-Hallet. immediately ordered the Seaforths to charge and the other commanders followed suit. At this moment some one gave word to retire, and part of the Black Watch rushed back through the ranks of the Seaforths. Colonel Hughes-Hallet ordered the latter to lie down and not retire. After a while the colonel again tried to reach the trenches 400 yards off, but the officers and half the men fell before the heavy fire which opened after the men moved. Ten minutes later the Seaforths tried another rush, with the same result. Colonel Hughes-Hallet then decided to await orders. After describing sending the Gordons and Guards to support the Highland Brigade“Lord Methuen continues: “At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Seaforths were exposed to a heavy cross- fire, the order to retire was given. and the greater part of the casualties then oc- curred. This was an unfortunate retirement for Hallet. He received Instruc- tions to remain in his position until dusk, and the enemy were then quitting the ttenches In tens and twenties. Wauchope told me in the evening of Decem- ber 10 that he quite understood his orders and made no further remarks. He died at the head of his brigade, where his name will always remain honored and respected. His high military reputation and attainments disarmx all criticism. Every soldier in my division deplores his loss. He was a fine soldier and a true comrade. The attack failed. The Highlanders were ready enough to rally, but the paucity of the officers and the non-commissioned officers made it difficult. I attach no blame to this splendid brigade.” The report then proceeds to pay a high tribute to the conduct of all the troops under conditions as hard as can be imagined, and mentions specially a number of officers and men. for distinguished acts of courage already recorded in the newspaper dispatches. B e I 3 ZSE Ry SIS TN BOER COMMANDER COULD NOT CONTROL HIS MEN. .JAMESTOWN, Cape Colony, Thursday, March 15.—There was much enthu- siasm at Aliwal North- when General Brabant's troops occupied that place. Com- mandant Oliver, the Boer commander, apologized for the action of the Boers during the last days of the occupation. saying he could not control his men. The British are now encamped on the Free State side of the Orange River, with the Boers holding an advantageous hill in front of them. General Brabant is greatly hampered owing to the lack of artillery, having only two I5-pounders. CAPE TOWN, March 15—When the British forced the passage of the Orange River they surprised the Boer forces. The troops occupied a position on the north side of the river with little opposition. The British first-class cruiser Powerful, with the Naval Brigade which has been operating against the Boers in South Africa, sailed for England to-day. CAPE TOWN, March 16.—There was great rejoicing throughout the* colony upon the receipt of the news that Bloemfontein hadl been occupied by the BEritish. « The first intimation of the news at Port Elizabeth was the firing of twenty- one guns at 11 o'clock in the evening. The inhabitants hastened to the streets and carried the Mayor on their shoulders to the Town Hall, where a demonstration was made.* To-day will be observed as a fenenl holiday. There is ’mt rejole- |.nfut Bloemfontein, whose women and children have been shut off for months. At Jamestown great complaint is made of the harsh treatment by the Boers during the occupation. Rebels are com! in daily with their arms from the south. A number of rebel leaders ha arrested.