The Saint Paul globe., March 08, 1900, Image 1

About The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
VOL. XXIII.—NO. 67.
MOKE THAN FIFTY
CONFLICTING ESTIMATES AS TO
NIMBBK OF RED ASH MINE}
VICTIMS
FEW ARE TAKES OUT ALIVE
PATHETIC SCBKBB HOVRLY ENACT
ED AT THE SifcTVU OF THE
AWFIL DISASTER
CAUSE IS STILL A MYSTERY
Governor and -Other Stute Olilclnls
• nable lo Axcrrtnla How the Ex
plONlun Occur retl—Two Motherlen*
Bu}« Who Accompanied Their
Father Into the Mine Among the
Victim**— Vigorou* Rescue Work.
The following bodies of the victims of
the Red Ash disaster were removed from
the mine today:
SIMON FITTS.
NEVILLE RAMSEY.
ED HAMRICK, white, aged twelve.
VOLLEY AGEKY.
JOHN STOKE.
808 HALL.
SMITH FRANKLIN.
HOLLISTER NOELL.
ISAAC MORRIS.
N. DEWES, colored.
The body of a white man as yet not
Identified was also rescued. It is discov
ered that there were three more men In
the mine than were known yesterday,
Isaac Morris, Walter Dennis and a man
whose name is not known, all coi-ored.
FIRE CREEK, W. Va., March 7.-The
rescuing parties continued working hard
at Red Ash mine today, In removing
debris and securing the bodies of the
victims of the explosion of yesterday.
The scenes of distress among those
hunting their missing friends Is still
as appalling as yesterday. The work of
rescue continues night and day, and It is
still impossible to give the exact number
of victims, or to identify all the bodies
that have been recovered. The most
conservative estimates of those con
nected with "the mine places the number
of killed at fifty-two, and there are
others who insist that the number of
victims will be found to reach sixty.
Six more bodies were recovered early
this morning. A report was made at
the mime during the afternoon that the
total number removed was twenty-one,
of whom fifteen are dead, one fatally in
jured and five others seriously hurt.
FIVE LIVES SAVED.
A report from the rescuers at the mine
after 8 o'clock tonight was that thirty
four bodies had been rescued, twenty
nine being dead and five seriously in
jured. Those rescued alive are: Carl
Downey, John L. Day, Joseph Elliot,
John Kane and Harry Dawsan.
While the surviving miners and others
estimate that there are at least thirty
nine miners still entombed General Man
ager Howells says there are still In the
mine only thirty-six. The estimate of
the latter would indicate that there were
seventy killed and five Injured, as It is
conceded that all of those still in the
mine are dead.
None of the mines in this district are
yet working, and thousands of people
visited the scene of the Red Ash disaster
today. Some of the dead bodies hive
been shipped to the former homes of "the
victims. Many funerals were held today,
and many will be held tomorrow.
CAUSE A MYSTERY.
No definite cause for the explosion hag
yet been learned by Gov. Atkinson, the
state and district mine inspectors and
others who are investigating the case.
In addition to the theories of dust, fire
damp, etc., it was claimed today that
natural gas had escaped into the mine
end that it ignited whan the miners en
tered yesterday morning with their
lighted lamps. The work of the rescuing
parties is retarded by hot air, and it Is
thought the mine is on fire. Air Is being
pumped into the mine by compression.
It will probably be several days before
nil the bodios can be recovered, as they
are scattered along for almost a mile
underground, and it will require much
time to clear the debris from this long
subterranean course.
PATHETIC INCIDENTS.
The only person who entered the mine
and who is known to have escaped alive
Is Electrician Evens, who was near the
mouth of the mine. In relating his expe
rience Mr. Evans said:
"I heard a low, rumbling sound, simi
lar to an earthquake, and I realized in
an instant that fire damp had exploded,
and before the force of the concussion
reached me I threw myself down on my
face. A sheet of flame, rock and debris
shot over my head. I managed to creep
to the mouth and into the fresh air. My
God, it was awfuL I saw that I was the
only one left. Every one of the other
fellows was lost, I knew."
A pathetic feature of the disaster Is
the annihilation of the family of B. B.
Long, fire bo.^s. His w«e died some time
ago, leaving to his sole care two little
boyp. Having no one to stay with them
In their desolate home, the boys begged
to go with their father into the mine to
spend the day with him. He consented,
and when the search is finished their
blackened little bodies will be found be
tside that of their father.
The unexplained cause of the accident
has terrified miners in adjoining locali
ties.
UGLY ALLEGATIONS.
It is asserted freely in spite of of
ficial reports showing the mine to be
safe that there has always been gas
in It and th.it miners themselves con*
sldered it unsafe. One man asserted
today that he had quit his job there to
take one where he could not make more
than half as much because he knew Red
Ash was dangerous. It has been as
serted that the ventilating fan has not
been run regularly, some declaring that
It has not been in motion since last
Thursday until after the explosion. Fol
lowing this report, as nearly as possible,
to its source, the only reliable informa
tion that could be obtained was that the
fan was not in operation on Monday up
to 11 o'clock, and that it was not run
ning on Tuesday when the explosion oc
curred.
m .
Jewl»li Women's Conference.
CLEVELAND, 0., March 7.-The morn-
Ing session of the Nattwal Council of
The St. Paul Globe
Jewish AVomen was omitted today, to al
low the delegates to visit various Cleve
land institutions. A large number of
them went to the Jewish Orphan asylum
and the home for the aged.
Misa Sadie American, the corresponding
secretary of the council, addressed the
young women of the women's college,
Bpeaking of the work of the Consumers'
League, which has for its object the doing
away of sweat shops and child labor.
WORLDS SHIP BUILDING.
EnormouN Preponderance of Grent
Britain In That Line.
WASHINGTON, March 7.—The bureau
of foreign commerce has published inter
esting statistics as to International ship
building forwarded by Vice Consul Mur
phy at Bremen. The German authori
ties, from whom he quotes, direct especial
attention to the enormous preponderance
of England in the shipbuilding line, Eng
lish builders in 1599 produced tonnage, ex
clusively of war vessels, only one-fifth
less than the entire steam fleet of Ger
many. Adding war vessels, aggregating
168,000 tons, the total output of the Brit
ish ship yards was 1,584,000 tons. Al
though Germany occupies first place
after England in shipbuilding, she is,
nevertheless, England's best customer,
and last year took over 60,000 tons from
England, although there was a total pro
duction throughout the world outside of
England of 881,000 tons of shipping. For
some years Germany has been at the
head of the list after England, being ex
celled only in 1898 by the United States,
owing to the latter'a activity In building
war vessels. Last year Germany turn
ed out 252,000 tons, as compared with 233,
--000 tons for the United States. It is no
ticeable that 40,000 tons of Germany's
production was in war vessels, while the
United States output of war vessels was
only 9,000 tons.
FAVORED FOR ARCHBISHOP
BISHOP COSGROVE'S FRIENDS ANX
IOI'S TO SEE HIM PROMOTED
DAVENPORT, 10., March 7.—The Da
venport papers publish interviews in
which his admirers nominated Rev. Henry
RIGHT REV. HENRY COSGROVB,
Bishop of Davenport, 10.
Cosgrove, bishop of the diocese of Daven
port, as the successor of the late Arch
bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque. Bishop
Consgroye is the senior bishop of the
archbishopric, and has been for forty
years one of the leading priests of this
state, and for fifteen years bishop of this
diocese.
_^».
TEST OF ENDURANCE.
No Hope of Settlement of Chicago
Labor Troubles.
CHICAGO, March 7.—Apparently all
hope of a settlement in the near future
of the differences existing between the
unions affiliated with the Building Trades
council and the contractors were dissi
pated today when the .building contrac
tors council made a declaration that no
opportunity to arbitrate will be afforded
by that body, no matter what pressure
may b-3 brought to bear by the Industrial
commission men soon to meet here.
"We have locked no men out, and are
willing' to employ men, regardless of their
affiliations,' 1 continued the official state
ment, "but we refuse to be dictated to
by the Building Trades council."
It is believed by many leaders on both
sides that the combination of strike ami
lockout in Chicago will develop into a
simple test of endurance.
PROTECTION OF PHEASANTS.
Bir«ln Being Rnthlegaly Slain for
Their rinnui^c.
WASHINGTON, March 7.—Minister
Conger has informed the state depart
ment that at the request of the diplo
matic corps in Pekin, the Chinese govern
ment has decided to prohibit the exporta
tion of phea?ant skins. The birds were
being ruthlessly slaughtered to meet the
demand for their plumage in European
markets.
MORE KENTUCKY SHOOTING
FAMOUS MOUNTAIN DETECTIVE,
GEtOiRGE W. DRAKE, KILLED
LEXINGTON, Ky., March 7.—George
W. Drake, the famous mountain detective,
and ex-deputy United States marshal, to
gether with a man named Ford, were
shot to death last night near Torrent,
Ky., by William St. John. It is reported
to be the result of bad feeling of long
standing between Drake and St. John.
Drake has run down more moonshiners
and criminals i.n the mountains of East
ern Kentucky than any other officer in
the service of the government.
MANY NEW BANKS.
State Institution* Will Take Advan
tage of Xew I/n\v.
NEW YORK, March 7—Advices re
ceived by local banking interests today
from small towns and villages throughput
the United States indicate that the state
banks in all sections of the country are
preparing to take out charters under the
national system as soon as the currency
bill becomes a law. Many banks are al
ready making efforts to secure the busi'
ness of these institutions, one bank In
this city today receiving many inquiries
on this subject. One man told the bank
officials that he intended to start eight
banks, with capitals of 525,000 each, right
off. Information from other sources show
ed that fully 200 national charters would
■»be applied for after existing restrictions
were modified.
m
Steamer Songra a Tot#l Loan.
RAMPICO, Mex., March 7.-Th e first
officer and crew of the Norwegian steam
er Songa arrived here this morning
bringing information that yesterday
morning, in a dense fog the Songa had
ran aground on a bar in eighteen feet of
water, forty miles north of here. It Is
.thought her bottom was torn out, as the
engine rooms are flooded. She had 5 000
tons of cargo, consisting of coal. The
vessel will be a total loss.
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 8, 1900.
TROUBLE IN TEXAS
REPrBLICANS IN THE LONE STAR
STATE DISAGREE AND HOLD
TWO CONVENTIONS
FIGHT IS OS E. H. It. GREEN
AS A RESI'LT TWO SETS OF DELE
GATES WILL ASK FOR SEATS IN
NATIONAL CONVENTION
COMPROMISE WAS DECLINED
Fraud In Selection of the Presiding?
Officer Was Alleged, and Then the
Green Men Walked Out—Ferguson
Faction Quietly Proceeded to the
Selection of Delegates— McDonald
Wins- Did Likewise.
WACO, Tex., March 7.—The expected
split In the Republican convention of
Texas developed at the opening of the
second day's session of that body today.
Ever since the roll call vote for tenv
porary chairman, when H. W. McDonald
was declared elected by State Chairman
E. H. R. Green, of the executive com
mittee, it was apparent that two sets of
delegates would apply for seats in the
national convention at Philadelphia.
A secret caucus was held by the Fergu
son faction, last night at which it was de
cided that Ferguson had been counted out
unfairly, and that they would not submit
to the installation of MaDonald.
McDonald and several other leaders of
the Green faction also held a caucus last
night, to select the several committees
and arrange a platform. This was done,
but the names of the committees and the
platform were kept secret.
At the appointed hour this morning the
auditorium was filled to overflowing when
Chairman McDonald ascended the ros
trum and rapped for order. He an»
nounced the appointment of the various
committees, and was proceeding with the
usual routine business when Ferguson
asked for recognition from the chair,
which was granted. He presented a
sworn affidavit, made by one of the sec
retarles appointed by Chairman Green
to keep a tally on the vote for tem
porary chairman, that he, Ferguson, was
honestly elected chairman of the conven
tion, by a vote of 449% to McDonald's
420. and that being the case he desired
a new election on the ground of fraud.
McDonald, after a hasty consultation
with members of the executive com
mittee, declared the convention adjourned
until 1 p. m.
FERGUSON FACTION.
Immediately after the McDonald con
vention adjourned the Ferguson faction,
or the antl-Greenitcs, were called to order
by Henry Ferguson, amid tumultoua ap-
I plause.
The convention effected temporary or
ganization, and agreed not to adjourn
until their work was finished. Walter
Burns, of Houston, was chosen temporary
chairman.
After the election of the officers, Con
gressman Hawley, of Galveston, made a
Bhort speech, which was enthusiastically
received. He stated that he had done
everything possible in the interest ol
harmony, but as the split Jiad come he
proposed to support Ferguson,^whose
caurie lie had always championed.
After the appointment of committees
on platform, credentials, rules and orC ei
of business, the election of the four dele
gates at large to the Republican national
convention was declared in order.
During the intermission a motion was
tarried appointing a committee to call on
E. H. R. Green and invite him to partici
pate in ;he convention. The committee,
reported that Mr. Green declined tr> ac
cept their invitation, as he felt that tern,
porary organization was perfected by thr.
convention over which he presided yester
day.
NATIONAL. DELEGATES.
In the selection of national delegates to
the Ferguson convention the following
were elected: R. B. Hawley, Galveston,
E. H. R. Green, Terrell; Henry Ferguson
(colored), Houston, and George B. Jack
son, (colored), Sangelo.
The recommendation of the committee
on platform was unanimously adopted,
and was in part as follows:
That we indorse the St. Louis platform
as adopted in 1896; that we indorse every
act of the McKinley administration. We
hail with delight the efforts of the na
tional legislature as to the establishment
of a Nicaraguan canal.
That we regard with alarm the usur
pation of power -by the chairman of the
state legislative committee, and demand
the appointment of a committee which
shall prescribe rules for the government
and guidance of our party, and prevent
the corrupting influences which now pre
vail.
After the adoption of the platform the
convention adjourned sine die.
SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.
Text of the Platform Adopted at
Wednesday's Meeting.
INDIANAPOLIS, March 7.-The order
of business for the Social Democratic
convention today began with the reports
of committees. As the nominations were
made the last order of business, it is be
lieved they will not be reached until to
morrow.
A special order today was the reception
of a special committee from the confer
ence committee appointed by the Social
ist Labor party at Rochester, in Janu
ary, to seek amalgamation. A committee
composed of Comrades Debs, Carey and
Berger was named to greet the sub
committee from the Socialist Labor par
ty. Under Mr. Berger's motion appoint
ing this reception committee it was au
thorized to extend greetings, but no
further powers were delegated. The
subcommittee is composed of Harriman,
of California; Hayes, of Cleveland, and
Hillquit. of New York.
The repoits of Theodore Debs, secre
tary-treasurer of the party, showed 226
branches, with a membership of 4,236.
The organization has branches in thirty
two states. Accredited delegates to the
convention showed sixty-two present and
a total vote of 1,815. It was decided
to select a different chairman ach day.
Fred Strickland, of Chicago, was
elected permanent secretary for the con
vention.
The following platform was adopted on
motion of Eugene V. Debs:
1. Revision of our antiquated federal
constitution in order -to remove the ob
stacles to full and complete control of
government by all the people, irrespec
tive of sex.
2. The. public ownership of all indus
tries controlled by monopolies, trusts and
combines.
3. The public ownership of all railroads
telegraph, telephone, all means of trans
portation, communication, water and elec
tric plants and other public utilities.
4. The public ownership of all gold sil
ver, copper, lead, iron, coal and all oth
er mines; also all oil and gas wells.
5. Reduction of the hours of labor in
proportion ito the increasing facilities of
production.
6. The Inauguration of a system of pub
lic works and improvements for the em
ployment for a large number of the un
employed; the public credit to be utilized
for that purpose.
7. All useful inventlone to be fre© for
all, the inventor to be 'remunerated by
the public. '
8. Labor legislation to be made national
Instead of local, and International where
possible.
9. National Insurance of working peo
ple against accidents, tack of employ
ment and want In old afce.
10. Equal civil and political rights for
men and women, and the abolition of all
laws discriminating against women
31. The adoption of th« iniative and
referendum, and the right to call repre
sentatives by the voters.
12. Abolition of war as far as th« Unit
ed States are concerned and the intro
duction of international arbitration in
stead.
M"DONALD WING.
Thirty minutes after the Ferguson con
vention adjourned the McDonald con
vention was called to order. The com
mlttees announced this morning, being
ready to report, the convention got to
work in snort order.
The committee on resolutions reported
and their report whs unanimously
adopted. It reaffirmed the St. Louis
platform and indorsed President McKin
ley.and the present administration, and
with a few exception of local character
was the same as that adopted by the
Ferguson convention.
The -convention then took up the elec
tion of delegates-at-large to the national
convention. Those chosen were E. H. R.
Green, R. B. Hawley, William McDon
ald and M. M. Rodgers.
After the convention finished its work
speeches were made by E. H. R. Green
and several other prominent Republicans.
KENTUCKY LEGISLATION.
McCord Railroad Anti-Extortion Bill
Passed.
FRANKFORT, Ky., March 7.—The
house today passed the McCord railroad
anti-extortion bill by a vote of 56 to 42.
The bill authorizes the Btate railroad
commission to fix the jnaximum of
freight rates and to punl»h for discrim
ination and extortion.
From a party standpoint Its passage
was the carrying out of the principle
planks in the platform on which the late
Democratic governor, Goebel, was nom
inated. The Republican, in a body,
opposed the bill, and up io last night it
looked as if enough Democrats would
bolt party lines to defeat the bill, but on
the final vote only two. Representatives
Clair and Armstrong, voted^wlth the Re
publicans against it, *t^i %[enry and Orr,
Democrats, did not vote.*. That the bill
will be approved by Democratic Governor
Beckham is conceded. E
The Goebel assassin ij&ward for $100,000
GEN. FRENCH'S MEN SENDING TP AMMUNITION
With a Cable for the Guns on Coles Kop, 1,400 Feet From the Camp on the Plain
Below.
—From the Illustrated London News.
became a law today by the approval
of Democratic Governor Beckham. The
commissioners appointed to expend the
fund, or such part as may be necessary
to apprehend or convict the assassin, held
a meeting tonight and began work.
IlllnolM Democratic Convention.
SPRINGFIELD, 111., March 7.—The
Democratic state central committee met
at the St. Nicholas hotel this afternoon
to fix the time and place for holding the
state convention. The advantages of
Springfield, Chicago, Peorla, Blooming
ton and Rockford wore presented. The
matter was left to a committee of three,
who reported In favor of Springfield,
the report being adopted by a unanimous
vote. Tuesday, June 26, was fixed as the
date for holding the convention.
West Virginia R«-|>ul»H<-n n Lcasm'.
PARKERSBUR6. W. Va., March 7.—
About two hundred delegates to the state
league Republican convention arrived to
day. There will be over 1,200 delegates
here tomorrow. They will be addressed
by Senator Thurston, of Nebraska, and
Senators Elkins and Scott, of West Vir
ginia.
Mr. Sicclp Retromlnnted.
PERU, Ind.. March 7.—The Eleventh
district Republican congressional conven
tion in this olty today renominated* by
acclamation George W. Steele to succeed
himself.
Arkansas Democratic Convention.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 7.—The
Democratic state central committee to
day called a state convention for June 26
at Little Rock to nominate a state ticket
and elect delegates to, the national con
vention. '
Georgia RepnWlcatt* Convene.
ATLANTA, Ga.. March 7.—The Repub
lican state convention met here today. A
number of contests had not been set
tled, and 'the convention was confronted
with the prospect of-n loog session with
much controversy. Col. W. H. Johnson,
of Atlanta, was eleerted chairman of the
central committee.
Helen Goo)il'M iilft.
NEW YORK, MarcA 7.—The ayenlng
World today asserts, that tt has informa
tion that Miss Helen Gould Is the donor
of 1100,000 for the erection of a Hall of
Fame in connection with the University
of New York. An attempt' to obtain a
confirmation of the report"'elicited from
Miss Gould and Chancellor McCracken,
of the University of New York, non-com
mittal responses. The condition of the
gift la that the donor's identity shall not
be disclose i»
BI'LJLETIN- OF
IMPORTAISTT NEWS OF THE DAY
Weather Forecast for St. Paul:
Fair; Warmer.
I—Details of Mine Dlwaster.
Texas Republican* FiKhtins.
Latest From Africa,
2S—After County Superintendent.
SteJarns County Finances.
Receiver for Insurance Company
B—Minneapolis Matters.
Northwest News.
Rich Gold Find.
■
State Press Stirred Up.
5— Sportlnjjf News.
National Leagrue Meeting.
Mistake at Splon Kop.
6—Popular Wants.
Neiws of Railroads.
Eulogies on Havmer.
7—Markets of the World.
< lilcnßo May Wheat, 68 8-Bc.
Bar Silver, SO 5-Bc.
Stocks Inactive.
B—ln the Field of Labor.
Local Political Gos«ip.
OCEAN LINERS.
NEW YORK—Arrived: Kaiser Wllhelm
der Grosse, from Bremen; Menominee,
London; Werra.Genoa and Naples; Bre
men, Bremen. Sailed: New York,
Southampton; South wark, Antwerp;
Germanic, Lrverpool.
COPENHAGEN—Arrived: Island, New
York for Stettin.
QUEENSTOWN-Arrived: Teutonic. New
York for Liverpool, and proceeded.
SOUTHAMPTON—SaiIed: Steamer Lahn,
Bremen for New York.
BREMEN—Arrived: August Korff, from
Portland.
LONDON—Arrived: Mesaba, from New
York.
TODAY IN ST. PAIL.
METROPOLITAN—"A Bachelor's Hon
eymoon," evening at 8:15.
GRAND—"The Telephone Girl," evening
at 8:15.
People's church, Redpath Concert com
pany, evening at 8:15.
Theosophical society, Endicott building,
evening at 8.
Palm Garden—Vaudeville, 2:30 and 8:15
P. m.
Ancient Landmark lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
Mansonic hall, Fifth street.
B. P. O. Elks, Lowry Arcade, evening
at 8.
W. R. C. memorial, Garfleld post, G. A.
R,, 2:30 p. m.
WILD RIDE ON A SLEEPER
MAN CL.LNG TO A VESTIBL'LED
COACH VOTt HIS LIFE
WASECA, Minn., March 7.—(Special.)—
As the evening easlbound passenger train
on the North-Western pulled out of
Rochester the other night a passenger
in the smoking compartment of the sleep
er noticed a man running to catch the
moving train, and, as he apparently
caught on the rear end, thought nothing
further about it.
After a while there was a sound of
breaking glass and as though some one
was using a sledge hammer in the rear
vestibule. The occupant of the smoking
compartment stepped into lavatory and
found that Its windows and been broken
and the floor was covered with fine bits
of glass. A took out of the window re
vealed a man hanging to the outside of
the vestibule door, which was closed. It
at once flashed across the mind of the
gentleman that it must be the same man
he had seen running to catch the train
at Rochester, and that the poor wretch
found the vestibule door closed, and was
consequently hanging on for dear life un
til the next station was reached.
When the porter opened the door the
half-frozen man fell into the vestibule
more dead than alive. It was some time
before he could speak, as he was com
pletely benumbed with cold, his hands
were stiff, and one of them was badly
bruised from breaking the window, and
one ear was badly frost-bitten. The poor
fellow later said his name was John John
son and resided at Lamberton and was
going to Chicago. He got off at Roches
ter for lunch, but had been a little late
and caught onto the rear end of the
sleeper, supposing he could open the door
and get in, but was unable to do so, and
In his desperation he had broken in the
window of the lavatory in the hope of
crawling in, but found it was too perilous
to attempt after he had broken the glass.
His hands had become numb and he was
.Hist waiting for a snow bank to drop into
when, to his great Joy, the door was
opened and he was saved from death.
The man was rescued about ten milees
east of Rochester, and will probably not
soon foi'get his wild ride on the steps of
1 the rear end of a sleeping car going at
the rate of forty miles an hour, with the
temperature 21 degrees below zero.
PBICE TWO CENTS-J SM^W*
BOERS IN RETREAT
FROM ROBERTS' ARMY
British Attacked Boer Stronghold Early Yes
terday Morning, With Marked Success
Cavalry Under Gen. French Did the Host Ef
fective Work of the Engagement
Position Evacuated Was Extremely Strong
and Most Cunningly Arranged.
OSFONTEIN, March 7.—Lord Roberts'
force attacked early this morning. Gen.
French turned the southern part of the
position of the Boers, who fled, leaving a
gun and large quantities of forage and
their tents. He is now in pursuit. The
Boers on the north bank are also evacu.
ating the position.
DETAIL OF BATTLE.
LONDON, March 7.—The war office has
posted the following advices from Lor&
Roberts:
"Poplar Grove, Wednesday, March 7,
Evening.—We had a very successful day
and have completely routed the enemy,
who are in full retreat. The position
which they occupied is extremely strong
and cunningly arranged, with a second
line of intrenchments which would have
caused us heavy loss had a direct at.
tack been made.
"The turning movement was necessarily
wide, owing to the nature of the ground,
and the cavalry and horse artillery horses
are much done up.
"The fighting was practically confined
to the cavalry divison, which, as usual,
did exceedingly well, and Gen. French
reports that the horse artillery batteries
did great execution among the enemy.
"Our casualties were about fifty. I re
gret to say that Lieut. Kenwick was
killed and Lieut. Bailey was severely
wounded—both of the Twelfth lancers.
Lieut. De Crespigny, of the Second lite
guards, was severely wounded. Remain
ing casualties will be telegraphed to
morrow.
"Gens. Dewet and Delarey commanded
the Boer forces."
FREE STATERS ALARMED.
The Times publishes the following dis
patch from Lourenzo Marquez, dated
Monday, March 6:
"President Kruger's precipitated jour
ney to Natal was due to Gen. Joußefl's
urgent representations that the opera
tions of Lord Roberts had so alarmed the
Free Staters that they had become un
controllable.
"There is every indication of chaos
and demoralization in the burgher ranks.
The Boer losses in Natal from Tuesday
to Friday last week were 52 killed and
200 wounded.
"The Free State raad has been sum
moned to meet in April."
A dispatch to the Times from Modder
river dated yesterday says:
"The Boers occupy an extensive posi
tion between ourselves and Bloemfontein
and Wlneburg. They Include the bulk
of the Natal forces and arc under Gen.
Joubert himself. Only sufficient men
have been left behind to hold Van Ree
nens Pass and Laing's Nek. Extensiv6
desertions are reported during the trek.
"An engagement is imminent, which
will probably be decisive as to the whole
war."
BRITISH MOBILITY.
LONDON, March B.—Lord Roberts
wired yesterday morning from Osfontein
and in the evening from Poplar Grove,
fourteen miles eastward. By an applica
tion of cllmentary principle of strategy,
the Boer positions fifteen miles long
across his path have been emptied and
their holders have been obliged to retire
in confusion, consequent upon hasty
withdrawal.
Nothing was done by Lord Roberts to
disturb the symmetry, the deadly inge
nuity, of the Boer trenches in front of
him. He sent out infantry, estimated
from the commands namtd at 30,000 men,
and sent 10,000 horsemen and horse artll.
lery in a bold sweep around the Boor left,
whereupon the Boer center and-right be
came untenable. Fifty British fell whni
the cavalry came into contact with the
Boers.
The correspondents differ as to the
enemy's strength. The Daily Mail's rep.
resentatlve think the Boers number some
thing more than 4,000. The Daily News
man estimates them at 10,000. As these
figures come from observers at head
quarters, it is clear that Lord Roberts'
force was overwhelmingly superior. He
can scarcely have fewer than 45,000 Im
mediately available, as the guards' bn.
gade reached him from Lord Methutn
Tuesday. Lord Methuen now commands
only volunteers and the local forces at
Kimberley, some of whom have gone
toward Mufeking.
The Boers do not yet appear to appre
ciate the mobility of Lord Roberts' corps,
which was able to strike so swiftly In
this affair that the enemy had to aban
don a gun, much forage and a large
quantity of camp equipage.
BRITISH ENTER TRANSVAAL.
A special dispatch from Durban pays
a flying column of British troops from
Zululand has entered the Transvaal, and
has been daily skirmishing with email
parties of Boers. The force consists of
mounted Infantry, Natal scouts and artil
lery, all commanded by MaJ. Prender
gast. The column first crossed the bor
der on Feb. 28. It now occupies an en
trenched position on Catassa hill, nina
miles within the Transvaal.
ROBERTS REPORTS PROGRESS.
Field Marshal Lord Roberts has tele
graphed as follows:
"Osfontein, March 7.—Our operations
today promise to be a great success. The
enemy occupied a position four miles
north and eleven miles south of the Mod
der river. I placed Gen. Colvllle's divis
ion on the north bank, and Gen. Kelly-
Kenny's and Tucker's divisions, with cav
alry, on the south bank. The cavalry dl
vision succeeded in turning the enemy %
left flank, opening a road for the Sixth
division, which is advancing without hav
ing been obliged to fire a shot up to pres
ent time. The enemy are in full retreat
towards the north and east. They are be
ing closely followed by cavalry, horse
artillery and mounted infantry, while
Tucker's Seventh division, Colville's Ninth
division and the guards brigade, unde*
Pole-Carew, are making their way across
the river at Poplar's Drift, where I pro
pose to place my headquarters this even
ing."
BOERS OFFER TO SURRENRER.
A special dispatch to the Times from
Osfontein, dated Tuesday, March 6, says;
"A commando of 3,000 Boerd has offered
to surrender, but on impossible terms.
"Gen. Cronje's losses were greater than
he admitted. Sixty bodies of Boers have
been found in one grave."
GEN. WHITE'S STORY.
Winston Churchill telegraphed the cub-
Ptance of an Interview he has had with
Sir George White, who commanded the
Lady-smith garrison. Gen. White said he
might have held out until April 2, but
this would have involved the death ot
most of the native population by starva
tion and of the sick from want of nour-»;
ishment. Then he would have destroyed
the stores and ammunition and all who
were fit to crawl five miles would have
sallied forth to make a show of resistance
to avoid formal capitulation.
BOERS TELL OF RETREAT.
BOER CAMP, Biggersberg, Saturday,
March 3.—The federals have fallen back
on the Biggersberg chain that crosses
Natal, south of Dundee. The retreat
from Ladysmith was due to the mis
take of a certain commandant in ordering
his men to retire from the key of the po
sition without any reason for the move.
On the receipt of bad newa from the Mod
der river, Wednesday, it was resolved to
send the wagons back to Biggersberg,
and soon long strings of ox wagons lined
the roads. Over a thousand wagons toolc
the westerly route to the laager south
west of Ladysmith. Another convoy was
sent to the foot of the Drakensberg. A'
large number of tents captured from the
British at Dundee and also the ammuni
tion were abandoned. The chief difficulty
was in dismounting "Long Tom."
COST OF LADYSMITH RELIEF.
Another list of the casualties sustained
by Gen. Buller's forces from February 11
to Feb. 27, shows: Killed, 123; wounded.
573; missing, 54. Of these the losses of
the Inniskillings were as follows: Killed,
54; wounded, 162; missing, 22. Dublin
Fusiliers: Killed, 15; wounded, 97; miss
ing, 18. Connaught rangers: Killed, 19*
wounded, 10.V, missing, 8. Royal Irk'h
fusiliers: Killed, 11; wounded, 63; miss
ing, 25. Scots fusiliers: Killed, 18; wound
ed, 68; missing, 0.
With the list of casualties issued Mon*,
day this makes the cost to the rank ami
fl!e in the final relief of Ladysmith total
1,859 men.
CAPE DUTCH WANT PEACE.
CAPE TOWN, March 7.—A great move
ment is in progress among the Cape
Dutch to obtain a settlement of the
South African question?, consistent with
the maintenance of the Independence of
the republics. It is doubtless argued
that the Dutch, having remained loyal,
are entitled to a hearing at the settle
ment. The argument would have more
force If the Dutch had not risen in every
district where there was a reasonable
chance of success, and it is certain that
the whole British community and the ac
tively loyal Dutch are opposed to any s< t
tlement short of annexation. A proposal
has been made by a deputation of the
Dutch party to visit England shortly in
the interest of peace.
The remainder of the Canadian artillery
has gone to the front. Squadrons A and
B, of Kitchener's horse, that were re
ported missing, have returned to camp.
They were cut off with Squadron E on
Feb. 13, but they escaped, although they
lost their way afterward on the veldt.
Squadron E are prisoners at Pretoria.
BURGHERS ENTHUSIASTIC.
GLENCOE , Natal, March 3, Satur
day.—President Kruger returned to Pre
toria. His address to the burghers has
fired them with fresh enthusiasm to
continue the fight for Independence and
to bring the war to a successful is
sue.
FLAG OF TRUCE ABUSED.
CARNARVON. Cape Colony. Tuesday,
March 6.—A refugee, who has arrived
here from Kenhardt, says that early on
Wednesday, Feb. 28. shots were ex
charged with the rebels, who retired,
ommandant De Kok arrived
with a flag of truce. The magistrate
who went from Kenhardt to meet him
was immediately made a prisoner, and
the rebels then poured into the town,
hoisting the Boer flag, proclaimed the
district to be Free State territory, sang
the Volksleid and began commanding.
The magistrate was detained for trial
at Bloemfontein. The refugee says the
natives are being severely treated.
RETREAT NOT PL.BASIXG.
Expert Military View of Tactic* of
the Rocrs.
LONDON, March B.—Spencer Wilkinson
in the Morning Post, says:
"The Boer retreat is disappointing. Tt
reminds me of a conversation I had witn
Lord Roberts, seven years ago, while btfl
guest on a tour of Pun.inub. I wanted
to know all about certain points In the
campaign in Afghanistan, and aecordliiK
ly asked him why he almost always sent
a detachment to turn the enemy. I ad<l
e-i some suggestion why such " n opera
tion might be dangerous in.,a v pean
war.
"Lord Roberts replied that as regards
a European war he quite agreed with me.
but he added: 'You should always con
sider the enemy with whom you havo to
deal. Turn an Asiatic and he will always
go.'
"Until now none of us have classed the
Boers with Asiatics, but we know at
last that co soon as their flank is men
aced they are off. It looks as though re
cent events have demoralized them. Yea,
terday's event was not quito conclusive.
Continued on Tblrd I'age.