The Western Mail

MILITARY POSITION fRO't in;: PRI>S AS.sqi jA'i'iox niLi'i.uiv I'OKIU-:SI>(IXI.NX] L0> HON. Monday Night. I T'i" DfWi fiom IO front t-i-ilav. cover- ,ns £ i! it Jo'X I he engagements of the '"rty-eight hour-, is. perliaps, the m* important which has rar.iwd lis for t main- weeks. Lord Roberts, realising that the Boors have been partly demo- taliscd by our n en; successes, has lost tmie in ptishing forward along (he line of th-^ railway as far as Smuhk-cl. If! I, 1h["\ oiest important landmarks in the pre. -nt campaign, for tin- po-i- tinll "'ÍI i. i rOl1lw..lpd wi: h "'ihnr!! hy ft braiKli line, is ;)n tI", high I'O;{ t Kit,oils),id, where the Boers are stiilsaid he massiiif; in groat force. The occu- pal Lon of Soialde. was not effected witii- f";t a sharti (lngnPJ1}(lt\t. and it will h0 interesting to r<>ml Roberts's ivaij nispati-h conrernin^ the gailantiy of the Coh.1 i roops, neon whom Hie brunt of fli,-ir hfing for the must jail ino'iofed i'l'Y.'i- *>'• ;|nil. therefor- lie:tor adapted ior the reijuii-ffiient.s of rapid inrn.ug niov«- nten;«. Beers begifiriieg ic r^a1; the serioiisiie-s p t", "¡:1\ainn i. s hown bv (bejf abandoi ing (he riiijped hills north and east ef Thalia N'ohu, where 'hey i(tI<1 almost irripreynable IH.ir,;(tu, 'i may be that the enemy retrefliing ft",ni l.adybraiul, witii their cat!ie. stores, and guns, have got well on the road Kmonsfatl anrj that th«> iwilimin cover- Ing thpif retreat had no further to buid the hills round Thalia N'rlui but I should sav that the northward movement W\ due to the pressure which Geuoral Bundle's division, coupled with the other cilutuns from the south and west, was bringing to bear upon them. It is too 1\I..h t n hope hat t 1", l'apí.1 advance which Lord Roberts has carried | out during (he hist four days can be continued without a. tomporarv halt. It i- impossible for all the column, engaged ,It) h" p",I1..<1 forward at the same pace, iilti,t be kept in touch with eai h ether, and tl.is bi •eonies a difficult task when tho groi-nd ov >r which the different di\ isions are lnarching varies so much as it does in the Free State. Then, again, the supplies have to be pushed forward on the trail of the advancing columns; the railway 1ms to be repaired, and the plan of campaign hit, to be adapted to local circumstances. 'fh.' 1\ew from the west is re-assuring J General Hunter is losing no time ill pushing forward his newly-formed divi- sion, and the Boers, who are evidently unequal to his force both in numerical strength and equipment, are alxwuloniiifr the positions they have hitlwrto held almost without opposition. Mafeking is still 100 miles away. and some difficult ground has to be encountered beforo relief is assured, but Lord Roberts's bold movements in the Free State will contri- hut<, to th.. di"i¡)Hliun oÎ the Boers' iii- vestment.

FIRST TROUBLE AT WE1-HAI-WEI. COMMISSION ATTACKED BY NATIVES. THE CHINESE HEIJIMENT IN ACTION. Wei-Hni-Wei. Mouil jy —A premeditated attack was made on the l\vo camps of the Wei-Hai-Wei Boundary Commission on the Cth iimt. Major B. and four mell of the Chinese Hegi- raent were wotimlecl. The attacking purty was repulsed, at least thirty them being ki!!ed. The disturbances were ilue to the C'hme-e ottii-ials worliiUo nn the cre<lnlity of the natives. TJH Chne, KejimtiU }¡dlav{'1 "i'lcl1dldIJ ,1teUtN,

SOUTH AFLILCAN ASSOCIA- TION. LonD WINDSOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SUGUKSTIU) TERMS OF SETTLE- MENT AFTER THE WAR. I.orl South African As--iei..ti.-ut, has iisucl hi, anniuil it-icit of t!ie iloinas et this important "o<1y. The a5 ;:fi:itU>n vi,;s lonudcd ill 1896, since which time it has continuously carried on its fiimpaigru uj)hohl British s»prei»vi4'v i*ml to pioinotc the inlerest^ of j»ah. jtct>5 in Srutth Atuoa. It has orgwujisi;d no ic-uer than 822 1I1ètillg. ami lecture*, and ,b, over one Juiiliou 1)(tU¡})}llet tU1 the ,ituti"II, La»i ?ear Ihe lectures niiinhertii 40f), ot which were ii^Ul in LiU^rul clubs. At a lorth< omiiii? lasting U resolution iSvuliug ?ith!h):i-?)tfc)<tKht.?fht: i'i;).)thAtfi(\ot l*vhublu> wi!! hl' ili-cu—n-\ and pascal. Tiie ot (Ulltillnillll tile operations uf tht- association i. hf{,tIhl very protninently to llie 1"rol:t II)" Lord "ïlld. lIld, ¡Hlndel" to pre- IMre tb: jHt!dit, willd )\>r illJ etjniia h)o nnd p^r- tnanent stjliletueiii of th nuestion, al a inee-- jlJ wiotn wjll bs Jtf-Id to-inorrovv < VVtdiiettduy) he dld lli i.Ulluiltt!e will huhiuit a* lilt 01 bet I lenient: — Compltu o iiteorpurutiou ill the Knipjie, adetjiuUc provision lor lull Colonial dt.UHH'HII1(.1tt. equality in all matttf3, complete protection, adecjiiuto "oUIIHH;Lt!OJl 10 thf eohJljh" an ] the Imperial and provision tor due IHlllihmetlt or rebels.

FKENCH MUNICIPAL ELEC TIONS, PlI' Mowi.iy \f01J1in:TJ¡c mlln:Op d elections tuok nliice jenteniay throuzhiut France anfl Aljeria, anù. although in ionie towng there was i. good deal of ejeitement. taken all over the day passed very quietly. Paris has returned eleven .atj01);1JitS. nine Conservatives, si, RC¡HI 0 lioo Ili and 24 Socia- list Ha,Urals, In 30 instances a second ballot will be necessary, this being the case' in the constituency represented by M. Ijijcipia Prait!cnt of tJ.1 Municipal Council). In the Anti-Jesuit party, headed hy the !JUI,>! :1- es-wayor of Algeria (Al. Max Regis) had i.Uite;5 all its own way at. the polls; but all over provincial Franoe the Republicans have scored deei8ive victories. At. Calais the olud:dntcs representing the re irtionary group, headed hv M. Dc Pamel. who was recently indicted before the High Court but acquitted, are hopelessly beaten by their Republican rivals.—Central News. l'aris, MnnrJay.-M, Francois Coppee sent the following telegram to M. Paul Dcroulede yes- terday:—"My friends and myself are intosi. cated witii joy at the great victory in Facie and the J1ro.illco, The verdict has con- demned the tiorernmcnt of treason." The elections were acooinjianied by the cry of "jn;, Varj. Monday Kvening.—In marked contrast with the notalilc *ii-'c.'sie» of the Nationalists in Parii. the returns LlJm • lie lnovinces lire decidedly iavouratile t(? the% ltepublieans, who han.J not lo:;r a single seat, and iu gome mimicipalitie-i leave even "ailltù, rr..nuul.- Renter.

I HOMOCKA KMBlfOC'ATIO.V 1.<17241-,2 for NEURALGIA.

ANOTHER BIG STEP TO PRETORIA: LORD ROBERTS AT SMALDEEL. GREAT CAPTURE OF I STORES, BOERS FLYING TO THE NORTH. GRAND WORK BY THE COLONIALS. HUNTER GOING AHEAD. NOW NORTH OF THE VAAL. RUNDLE S WORK AT TIIABA N'CHU. The following official dispatch from Lor.1 Roberts was issued by the War Office 011 Monday morning:- SMALDRBIj, May 6 (3.20 p.m.). We crossed the Vet River this morning, and are now encamped at Bmaldoel Junction. The enemy are in full retreat towards the Zand Hirer and Kroonstad. The turning movement made by the mounted illfllnt ry just before dark yesterday was a very dashing affair. The Canadian, -Now Month Wales. New Xralllnd Rifles, and the Queensland Mounted Infantry vivil taili each other in their determina- tioti to clo>e with tho enemy, IInd f'-oiijin Anley, of tlio Esse* Regi- ment, commanding the Third In- fantry Battalion, behaved in a very gallant manne.r The naval guns and artillery made excellent practice, particu- larly two 5in. guns, used for the first time with this force. We captured a Maxim gun and :>1 I'rivneTs, Our casualties were very few only fifteen wounded, one killed, t hree missing. [Note Smuldeel it nine milea ahor« the Vet River on the main line. and it the \11I11'1íOIl for Wiubi»ts. It will he seen from Lonl dispatch that he lia«, since crossing the Yilt, lost no linie ip pudiing his wy north, at the same time setting in closer much with Oaneral Ian lIamiHo!i,] At seven p.m. the War Office issued the following dispatch from Lord Rol),rt, SMALDEEL, Mav 7 (10.5.5). General Hunter, after defeating hands with Paget near Warrenton. The enemy left thirteen killed and wounded on tln> ground, and ,1(1 W(,Illla?-d oil tl)" g,.oul)o, ailt l Our losses were slight. 11 on ler speaks in high terms of the gallantry of the Yeomanry under ClI]ullol Meyrick. The enemy have retired from the front of Thaba N'cliu, and t-lu, exceedingly strong position they held is now occupied by Rimdle'a division. From Mr. BENNET BURLEIGH. Sy tpwial arrangement with the 1 Daily Tebgnplf < far limultaneoui publication. SMALDKEL, Saturday (delayed until Sunday, !).30 p.m.). At daybreak to-day Lord Roberts again advanced from Braodfort towards the Yet River. Tlio Australians and .New Zeuignderr, fired oil the enemy, but elioited no reply until they bad got within 300 yards of the river, and then the Boers epened a fusillade upon them. Major-genera! Mutton, with the mounted infantry, was on the left; General Pole-Carew's division was in the centre, with General Maxwell's brigade on the right. Our troops advanced in skirmishing order, and an artillery duel went on. The enemy had eight guns in action. At thr,.>e o'clock in the afternoon, which is sundown here, General Hunter's troops forced the passage of the river with gal. lantry, and the enemy retreated hastily. Our losses were small. We bivouacked upon the field of battle. Night (via Bloemfontein, Sun. day, 7.45). Leaving Br/indfort at daybreak. Major- general Pole-Carew's division made a smart march of fifteen miles to Eensge- vonden Railway Station. There they halted for a brief period whilst our mounted infantry drove in a Boer patrol of fifteen men. Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener in person directed the opera- tions. Lieutenant-general Tucker, who was proceeding to Winburg, was re-called in order to occupy a position three miles to tit" <-n>t ef the railway. Making a rapid march of tll,'lIt,II.1 miles, the Norfolk Regiment, the Ihv battalion to arrive, came in at five in the afternoon. Major-general Hutton's mounted infen. try covered a front at fifteen miles, but the main body of the brimda VK fivs miles to the left, pr west, at thip railway,

PERIL OF THE SO J Til WALES UORDKRKRS. HOW DE YILLEBUrs l>].ANN £ D I THEIR. DKSTRIXHON. A WELL-LAID i-CHEME 'i'UAT WEXT ASTBAV. I)r i 1.ctioia wa. ki¡1e¡ he w.s on hi., w.i.v to overs-helm and out iht Ju!f- t who were garrisoning Unshof. Hi, fldhoriie plan °f operations for bringing nliout this result wa" found after he Was J¡il;p<¡, anJ was nnhlhhed in full in Monday's Standard." j' rcr ui ion had l-;een overlooked, and wii-11 the as-.ii'.ins force had taken up positions i-t night, they were at a trivrn iitniai to fiur-e with the cry Tr:UJEt:1:d and Orange Free State :k! tinis <-■omplcie the lianif." The capture of the town wae regarded as certain, but De Viilebois finished up JI "I in?tmotions with tb« remark that the Boers, "whott superior Inorah iij crusbiti*. are to reiuemlier that thi-.v could always reach thtir horses and make good thc-;r escape."

F?"ra,l oreparationJ are offered as Bioort I "r.tlr pq, nene can compare with Ciwjljm i f.vunt Bitten in their efficacy to attain the I dttire? r.4ul ?s. M. i¿, 'bottl:n 4;

THI] VliAXOA RAILWAY JULL. bECOXD IIHADING IN THE COMMONS. WELSH MEMBERS MOTION DEFEATED. HOL'ftK OF LOR DP.—Monthly. The Lord thanctdlnr t^ok his »eat at a Ouartci past four O'clOí]; Lord WINDSOR presented i petition from ibc Union or Wettuiindsr in favour of pro- vision being made bv the Legislature fGr the dl'p['r,dn1 cf soldiers und sailors w0unded or killed "hUe cn avtive service. rlho C"UIlt.o('Ol2rt, 'Investment of Dcpo.j ni11 wm rcaii a third time iind parsed. 1'1:1 1{,uöe adjournerJ a: 4J,

HOtHV. OF COMMONS.-Monday Tfcc Spc;ikor t;{);. tne Chair 11 three o'c lock. WELSH PETITIONS. Po'. turns wtr: presented by Mr. ,T. W. MjcJcan U.. Cardifi f1'('U thE: Mount labor Primit-ive Mevhrdiet (Jaurcb. Cardiff. :n favour of the Sale of Intoxiuating L:íju:,rs to Children 'No. 2' Hill; by Mr. Alfred Thomas from ;iie Ge^ligaer and Rhiij .s Rural Diefrirt Councl in favour ol the niU to extend the r.ro\í8ions of the Poor»!iw Officers Kuperannuation Act, 16C6. to the officsi-s a.rd servants cf otber iooal anthJr:tj; an.1 b:* Mr. Albert Spiocr from j ike Grand Lodge ot Ensrland lnd3|>endent Order o Good T<>m11ar9J. and from a (,(Bf. rsifc of Kruncvancc .od:tie in he t:lf:i. Houard r1>r ct. in favour of the Sunday C;()sin;: (Onm0n1h6i1¡re\ H:H. n:cc .Ii '\)) ',IOTIOC'{'O, In iTp'y t ) Mr. Hr(.«er\vi<k 'R.Yi<k Bur^hfi), her (>ivernmcnt w:*re fully aware that French troop? had been operating in the Tona' o:tQ. on t'i? fnmtier of the tcrriKriet of the Sullan of Moroc-.o. THK C.l.W B1FJT. Mr. WYNDHAM 'I nder Sctict;»ry f-.r W*r) told Sir Howard Vincent <C-, BhcfReld; the War Offire b;d rcceivod no .eport? confirming the alleged dclfection of 6ff. to the risht at JW yardfj of the iifles, issued to the City of London luip-rial Yolunteerf. TIIK QCLLS'S t HC< OLATr. Under Secretary for War the statement that any ealdiere who had not received the Queen's gift of chocolate thouid at once apply to tne General Officer Cf.,mln:1nd¡ng Communications at Capo Town. Questioned us to the dclny -n the delivery "r clothing and oth?r c.-mforts iiniolig the soldiers at the front. Mr. WYNOUAM said Mr. Hamilton G10itr. who wn4- suptrintendmg this work, was receiving HR much as 403 tOll8 a day for dia* tributicn. Delay? were mainly due to tbe exigency of the rcqnirunems of the atmy "n the matter of etore*. THE UGANDA RAILWAY. Mr. BRODRIcK Mat<>d. in reply to Mr. Buchanan <R., Aberdeenshire. E. th;it £ 5 132.775 had already 1:een disbursed by the Crown agents in rcspect of the i'ganda Railway. The rnlne of t()re" in hand or en route was about a quarter of a million. CONDENSED FOODS. Mr. RROADIURSf (R.. Lc:ce<;tfrt asked ;f the War Office had nitd submiited io them a food, ivirch whs h.alth. and A.1tifring. a poured we-¡g-ht (If which wou1rl be «u;»;ient for one day's rt¡()n. ftr.ct c^uld be cavried in a AnlaP tin: if so. whether the Government hud approved I and would supply it to 1he troops in Routh Afrjra Mr. WYNDHAlf: Many samples of varion^ foods have been submitted to the War Ofll<'8 for trial, but none lia.R been re<*«-i\tt: comp'.v. iry with all 1ie conditions n:i»tio:ied in the I question. NOV ROYAL YACif r. Mr. MACARTNEY 'Secretary \.1 the Admiralty' infor med Mr. inner N (:.rk Co., 1; i ¡ [ij fn::l1t M}I;):jrt ::h ballast would be placcd in her to ensure her stability. NEWSPAPER PLACARD*. Captain DONELAN N.. <>»rk. E. I bee to a^k be First Lord •» Question hi,i, I have r.ven jhim private notice, "1.. whether he ip aware that l,;waf"(lll wcre ))crl yceterday in Lon- dm? fullow:n? in large capitiilf: -n;ll;i, wouncircl shot in cold blood; hnriie8 c¡,i¡¡¡rut!d 's th s statement in accordance with official information from the peat ,f w, and wi!l "!p' Ip taken to prevent the publica- tion of unfounded H-cnsanons. acain&t. iho, c!:aractcr <•.f a p-»!j»»;c. j• avinjr no recognised repreeentaiive 1H this corntry? !Mr. A. 3 BAI,FO(* I have received n» notke (':¡¡nain ])O='FLA:\ I bent it 1", I'' a' m's&enger (0 L'owning-etreet between on and two pm. Mr. A J. BALFOril; I have not received it. placard to the righ hon. gentleman. Mr. WYNDHAM: We have no knowledge of the factL a'lesed, and I think if any intima- tion had reached tb¿ Wa:' OflSre J should b. known of ;t nrSDr:ss OF THE HOr"E Mr. BALEOUH said th« Housing of the V,'i Classes lHH ,,?d ùe taken on Tharaday. ,?d the Revenue E-qi ?" I :aJ'. T8h:d Fa,t.ry W.?k?)?.p?, Bi)t would not, be taken this week. DISEASED CATTLE. Mr. LAWRENCE HARDY ) Ken\ Ashfoid) iuuuired if it Mere true that the 'i'anagr.t urrivtd oft' U1'ave:I;d OlJ Thursday with iout uwj mouth (!t'.1.e ¡¡ùlJ;Jrd; if -11:. at on«« went (Jut to he.1. and threw overboard 2&) had died of disease; if any steps had hf-u taken to prf >ent 11 recmreine r.f thi^ Ùot!J ?erou¡; proceed- iug, iiuch as hud already hevu adopted in Belgium Mr. 1.0:\(; replied :nJt on ihe arrival of tbe it mmth dieeuse during the ^oyjtpe. He could nut g.i> when the were thrown overboard, or if fuiy breach of tfte law had tyk»n p!ace. The Yee?l, hOWCVl r. put back to Fca, not t.) j throw th'? carca&c« overboard, iu to d¡tpoe cf the fitting? and manure, *iairh ho was Ndv'^ed was by far fh: -jfe-.t means ot pre- Uganda Railway gpant On the )"ti.. for the s»c3n«i reading of the t Uganda Railway Bill, "ott V), BUCHANAN R.. Ah«rdcen»h're. #».; Siid th*? tjovernment were rnL.k!ng the *ame mis- jU«ke they made year? atfo, and in do;nt; f> were not i re.ii in* the Houf>e and thv Jc^unrry fairly, The Vote for Uganda had 8t«t(h!' H en in p*«i years. On the com- vletlol1 01 tn r:nl,Y the l'oulltry wüuld he ns'ddled for a quarter cf a centurv with :i of a quarter of a million. That r lesson which h? hoped would be taken to j [heart by the Government, and any (jovern- went hat nr^ht >ucc«ed 11 'He^r hear Mr.T(;.BO?-LKS'?.K.n??''Ly.?'"  he 1 n r:w to repeat the Ii.j ..I tne r*?ht hon. gentleman which he had previously Kiven— that il had two ends and no middle but. having commerced it. we mu«t finish it H j wish?d to i)» jtest ngainst the Bill as an obnoxious instance of referential 'eolation Mr BRKNMOR JOX!? ru SwanMa M.tr.) suid he dM not think that the original project of the railway was an impolitic onr, 011 the icntiary. he entirelv approved ol the polirv that vjg really involved the development of the urens OV" r which we had acaqired snlir;re8 of i,,??.?, ?.,?d ,.or.:?))in? pow? Ordinarily one njir^ lit hfavc eipected that the GO\'{>rnlnnt would hay£> inv¡ted tenderø trHn <?ut?.ft?f..jr private firm, tor the tvorkin? of the r¡:\V¡t\ lusicud of taking tb?t <-our? however tne F! ig?, Oftirp determined tn (arry out the uuiiertuking He ws lwt prepared »«, xpreu an .P" u!>"n the general qacst.on thus involve- I ut be wa?. after inquiry n.:i(! l,y liim-elf, able to ''? th;:ot ini'tOl'I('f' t h ..yt{'lU ''f ('arrying out a mVa I. 11-1- ?f bi. ?,,d.?' committee pres-i.Ied over I,y If li? ill the Foreign Cffi, e had becn a complete f,lilnre Bt-fn votin i the nr pof. t»., ",ijfi to tbe (Jovernment he thought there ought to he :t ttarehine inquiry int. What Ila4 taken p).?.di;? I" th-l' hu.i),?ntf,rmtdhytij..?wht were Jlh'IJK the Oove-mm-nt in If:ar,! 1" nJÍ iria*ter. Uti *athe»d that the t had been nlJJ}lo ins iO.'M lal.oum-, ()II ;l,v <?)!.i.tfini)Kay. Tttttitht?th.tt'th??,? (iijue jU:lhLI, lnd h:HI h1I eroii'.mi' jl He eou.d «Iy exDre-* h a^.aii-hnui.i at th, Inures when he \Y? told )'?"' th? contra«»o,. wj", .'uni",l on I <t)« Meira to «.,).thurv K? <?, the ?voti,ag& '?" labourers employed was 1 ne native- t mplojtd on the Vsainii H. did not complain of the amount, but he thought il did not compare with tilt, amount p3iè on the Btira l« gaiitbnry Railway, \\J"eh flPpro.Tinjiif.ly wa, i, rr n d(iy ?h. foreist, Office had wotfu'l.v reismanaped the bunue-e. and he bejged to move that the Bit: be N!ad a second tim thi. day ?l. mOllth" Mr. !))!.LOX ?. Mayo, E) objecd \?!h. coretrncticn of the railway. n» one ot the first "P!l ill :l pc-Ley wbjrh had already t,rot1urf't1 enormon; 4!1\iJ i-etnlu to the country, and ,f Dcrserereci in wc^ld produce for wnrlt rO\1I1!1. )11', R W.U.L4CF; !IL M:JI',urlh, r;.¡ em* thi wat a pro^omi which would not commend

REIGN OF TERROR IN SWAZILAND. VELDT ST HEWN WITH SKELETONS. LKJIOMBO, Thursdav (via I.oiii'onco Marques. Monday). 1 understand that a small British force i, Oil t 11\\ Swazi border. A runner from BI'l'IIIC/dl)l')) tat('s that snppli.i and merchandise were being unloaded at De l agua Hay on the Ddar,)11 {by on tlH' :/Olh of Apt-it. Ir, Kreogh, the Boer Administrator, has been called to Pretoria. T here are large numbers of Boers on the border, in the direction of Amsterdam and Piet Relief. They complain of the scarcity of horso. The Queen has ordered the Swasis to hasten tho gathering in of the crops and assemble for the weeping for the dead king. Three natives who have just arrived here report the killing off of Kala- gana's kraal. on Palata Farm. Kala- gana and nine women and children were all killed. A number (jf women and children who were coming here for pro- tection have been turned back by an impi. Particulars will follow. Many are staving here. They are afraid to go near their kraals. The Queen is indifferent as to the presence of white men. who may find it unsafe to remain much longer. The veldt is strewn with skeletons of murdered natives.— Pres, Association War Special.

VESUVIUS IN ERUPTION. HOIP!. Jfunday.-Thtre are JiJ¡!lIl at Vesuvius of a cumin? attrioua eruption. I'roleaaor PI- mieri declarf< that the Y?,lpt ioreahadow nIle of I," must iniposinic ernptionø )t the century.—Outral Newg.

THE HIOTS IN BUIjGAIIIA, Sofia. Monday. The slate i.I .l. has been eitended to the districts of Tirnova and Sistova. The Govern- ment announces that persons implicated in the recent its will be brought hefore a court-martial, and will be summarily oealt wi t b. t e r.

STOP PRESS. I This Space is Rwerved for Important News roceived after we ntre goat to Prnl. I I KREK STATKHS AM) TlIKIIt AKMH. ALMtMT EVERY HOUS"; A MJNIATt'KK I ARSENAL. TIH Pi-ess ko@ne iatioii correepoiidcn', writing on Sunday, say* that the admirable ,tratcgy of Lord Robert, lias resulted in tbl' placing every where of Jive British to < me lloer. The Conllnllll<lcr.in,Chicf i now able i > wait in front ol .strong positions, qfe in the knowledge that his flankin! column" v id advance and outbank the enemy. In Ueneral Hutton's movement on the left 4u lIoen were klcd iu the fighting, British subject who remain at Smalile 'I -lain that aftcr the occupation of Klocin jonteiu the Cllelll," fled without a stop nt Kroonstad. Tho concensus of opinion among the Free Sii.tcrs i- that they are anxiou to sutrend. i- Lord Roberts ha 111ade a most Mri i Ix:tmilwtion of farl1lhon:('. and this ha;-¡ c- ,.Itc" in the dielosure 01' the fact tha: nearly every house i. a miniature arsenal litle-. niauser. Martinis, with an nlmin dance of ammunition, being Illlllul iu Illinois ""f" home All along Ui# route mlmti ot uuy me Iwve been blown up. — i

MAFEKING. I PLUMER REINFORCED AND ADVANCING. REPORTED ABANDONMENT OF THE SIEGE. The "Daily Mail" correspondent at Lourenco Marques learns that advices from Beira state that it is reported there that Colonel Pinmer has been reinforced, and it again advancing towards Mafekjn¡¡,o A Inmsage from the CRne Town enrreemn, dent of the "Daily Mail" aars that the reli<,( WILt) BO»!»WS OPERATIONS m TU rurd WAIB. 1 -P¿f;k;-¡;t expected within the I nexl ten clays. U2neral Hnnter ',114 Lord Metimert will. Jt j¡;¡ understood, 01}(ra.t ;1] f conjunction with the movements 01 Lord 1 Roberts's army. The Vienna correspondent of the "Stnn- I d^.rd" reports tbit a Brossols telegram froio the nonl soitrco states that GenEral Boibn i«; helieved to have ordered the abandonment of the investment of Mafeking. as he wants to concentrate 30.003 men near Kroonstad, and needs the hcsie{ling force. VICTORY AT FOURTEEN STREAMS. 1UUTIXH OHTH OF THE Y A AT. ^ARRKXTON. Monday (1.3J The Roers have been driven out from Fourteen 8tre, "nd the British are now (OHClInpCù 011 the non" bunk of the Vya!.— BE-uter. NEWS FIHHI THE GARRISON I rnnHC1' tlJ GatE; Lord Hoberis s message implies that relief is to be expected m the earliest by May 18, and it seems possible that the siege may continue til) June. Tbe commissariat have begun to make horseflesh sausages. A new Boer th, outposts. Fever is spreading.—" Times. SNYMAN ALARMED. A "Thues ft: J.ourenc-i Marques dated Monday, gjtys thai. Gcucrul Snyman has bc,m;e :¡¡rm<>¡j at tho prjfpe«-t of baiog his retreat cut off at Mafeking. and has appealed for permission to withdr.i*v his forr-e northwards to intercept Colonel rlum;

LONDON'S WELCOME TO THE A VAl. BRIGADE. INSPECTION BY THE PRINCE OF WALES. REMARKABLE SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. A magnificent welcome awaited f the men of the Powerful, lately returned from South Africa, when they reached London on Monday for inspection by the Prince of and the Admira:ty Lords' dinner at the Admiralty and tea at the Royal liichinge. "Inoria Station was &aily decorated, and seme 4.0 i,ri?ilege?l persons were in the cneicsi while the str?t?i without w??? packed to their I ':II'6ttl:'I;s \¡r;hc:,er;a(:Int t\ I at the station were Major Urm-ton. of the tbe til ti,)ik were Ni?tj?ir UTm-'?on, of ib? from Rlnemfoiit«in; Lieutenant Jonea. of th; b?ri.' Marines, wounded at O..apan; Lürd 1 and Lady Duncannoii, Sir Charles D,, Plat. !t'tnera.)TrotMr.fommandini;H)eHomeUi?! triot,; General Sir F. Mar-hit)!. Lo-'dH?nrt ?evi!I. Sir Atan?ar?, Lord (o'.teBtoe and j the Count"R of t. Uennam A special train, conveying the 300 fne?te of the I '.)ra.8ion. arrived at 10.33. its engine de'JTated with laurel wreath and flag?. and bearing the in r"ripti.n. to the Heroes of Modder River and ??y?"h" C'r'e'e?ed ° 'tn? handy men a they formed on t h*1 Plattonn. and the band of the Cold- stream Guards played "Rule Britannia!" tj a salute. Headed by police patrols, the Cold- streams hand, and the d,?n,, and bugle band of the 13th MifMictf? Vn')'n'?tpe'rt the p?? tr- ful^ men marched beneath a canopy of flags and hunting, iheir rear brought up by three of h I)rought i, of the guns which did such service at La-Iv- smith. They reached the Admiralty at 11.5) a,01 the journey having been a cotitinuous ovation. Here they met with a mag- nificent reception, not only from the trreat mass of the (receral pui»'ic, but from the fashionable oeMnaiits of the stands in the Horse Guards tirade, where there were assembled members of both Homes of Pari-a- inent, leading prominent officials, and other- i'1111e PnnoM. of Wales and the Princes Vic- tori. a drove early on to the ground, which was kept by military in close order in anticjpa- tioii of the crush. t People mounted the roof- of the permanent otticcs, and also climbed trees in S. James's Park in their eagerness to get a good view. After some movements en parade tile men were served with refreshments in the Admiralty Bl1;¡r!jD8, after which thsy returned and fell into line for inspection, lacing the Admiralty, with guns in the relr, At noon the Prim* of Wales, in full uniform aa admiral of the fleet, accompanied by Mr. Goschell and other Commissioners of tbe Ad.?irt? "-i-d on the parudv ground, and was re< eived with a H'.y?; M?t? ?",d Kre'? rheennii on the pai-t (oi'; publi<. U?hn?.. attended by Captain Lamliton <n command ol -,he Naval "??* "?" in6".<'ld ,I.e ranks ».lli(.h he retnmed to the luting 'ba6c. ?)?re th I'?n??of ?-.? W¡J8 twt:¡.ted in her oar,'i3* The march paH ??.d?'?he" i'utm ?on?' f,? ?l?,??. the Btu?i?t. ?h, Marine, bingi?g up the ,?r Ihie moMment. evoked a great, outbur-t of P' "'his wov?mulit tl-k-d I great, ,.tbu,.t into opuiar H"i" in review order, ?ve a eaiute. and then formed ;hrf< Mr. Gosejcu tlien adiiressed the men, con- gratutat?tg them on their at-hievements. Tf1- 1 mice of Wales also spoke, making special refM-once to the va'uur of the brtgade artr wttrt-h both officers and men were entertained to lancheou preparatory to their t>roc»s--on through tii» City. Mr. GvisoHen. in bi, Epe('h to the Naval Rd.. ?R at. the in?t.on a; \i)<. Ad?)".j' said they h.A nobly apiie'd the tl-,diii of the icrvices. With their comrades in othtr forces of the Que»n by the defence and relief of Ladrsmith. they had saved the country from such a di"'atér as had never ùeaIE'O Brit?h arm", "The defence and "?f o?L?" smith." added the First Lord of the Admiralty. will never he forgotten iu Bri:h history After taking tea at Lloyd's, the brigade w:tll difficulty ni;uie its way to London Hrjd° -e Station and entrained for Portsmouth.

CASUALTIES AT BKAXDFOKT The War Office on Monday evening iesued a list of iannuities at BrandJort on May 3 j and 4. On the iatter day Captain W, j). wounded, Qn tbr rank and file lcfctea indudd two hilled and ten wounded. The two killed were Cape Infantry Volunteers. There were aJsr 'gsued the names of £ 5 men of the Znd Royal Irien !lilies rer.oried mieeins at R'2d, derebnrg on April 4, LOCAL CASUALTIES. The Genenl of Coml11unic,ltiong a, Cape j Town report. that the following are W"iu,ly ill — let KOYAL WELSH FCSn.IiiKK. I 5.292 Private T. 2. 61. Private G. Mortis, and 5.543 Private A Hurges,. 4248 2nd SOUTH WALES BOHDKRLF.?. 4^48 Private > Ddve. 1st WELSH REGIMENT. I 4,732 Private W..June*. 2,244 Private J Phillips, and 4,549 Private K. Sargcant. 3rd BATTALION" CKLSH HKCIMENT. 88 Private A. Thompson. WELSH OF'PIOKIt hIKS FliOM WOl'JiDS. Among the cysualties reported by (ieneral Hunter nt Callerl>erg, on May G, is iie fol- lowing: DJ-,Al*lf FROIF li,ol'NI)fi. I 1st Welsh f usiliers.—Captain Lovctt. FATE OK A BAIIRY ftOLDIEi;. Private V. Wurman, of tile ht Wel?h Jtefl¡-I ment, rite& from Blo«lji!out«ni, March 26, -1 "At AbraJjam Kraal we captured about 20, prisonors. but I am very sorry to sav one of f them ciaim. to be a Devonshire man. There was a young man from Barry, who charged the hill, and was about to strike a Boer with hii bayonet, when the Boer put a white hand- kerchief on bi- rifle. As soon :u b the A.g he withdrew, h?n another Boer ii i.g do, deliberately .bot him dead Of court. Y'. rnnnct eipcct aUYtbing better from a Boer."

About three o'clock in the afternoon some thirtv Australian and New Zealand w cut- advanced down the open towards the Vet River, keeping near the rail- way. On hodug the Boers thev opened tire upon the enemy at a range of 1,600 yards, and afterwards at dis- tances down to 800 yards but the enemy made no reply. The Colonials thep advanced down to within itOO yards of the bank of the Vet River. There the Boers suddenly sprung a fierce fusillade upon them, wounding several horses and dropping three men, two of whom were officers. The remainder effected their retreat. Major-general St-.phcn.son's brigade advanced in open order, the Yorkshire Regiment leading. Their function, how- ever, was chidlv to protect the guns. A battery of field artillpry as on th.. right; the others, with the siege cannon, were in the centre; while the naval guns were on the left. With Major-geiieral Hutton were the Horse Artillery and siif "pom-poms." The Boers lined the low ranges of hills to the north of the Vet and also the river bank. Thev seemed to have eight guns, including a 40-pounder and la- pounders firing shrapnel. Their artil- lery IVII-S well placed and served. Major-general Hutton upon the left, pushed forward, under the enemy's fire from cannon and Maxims. The Australians and the other Colo- nials heaved splendidly, advancing with- out. flinching through a cross-lire of Maxims. (,"IWl'Ill J,!J('ilS .\1.'wl' lI'a.. OpOÜH.¡j io them. Fording the Vet, River, they got. upon the enemy's riorht. handling the Boers severely as the latter hurried from the field, pelted by shrapnel and our "pom- poms. Numbers of the enemv were hit, and the effect was immediate upon the re-t of the field, the Boers, shelling our left with shrapnel, quitting the ground prac- tically bv sundown, when the battle was over and wen We bivouac upon the banks of the Vet River, A number of Beer- surrendered -'¡¡'i yesterdav and to-day. They say they I are tired of the war. From the "Daily Telegraph hi Special Correspondent. I, SJe c", rraqp""nt for I!lí neou. I 4i4401 Western "ail." CAPE TOWN. Sunday. The 15th Battalion of Imperial Yeo- manry (Bucks) left this afternoon for Kimhprley, the men and horses looking remarkably well and tit A second train conveyed to Bloemfon- tein details of the City Imperial Volun- teers, the Derbyshire Regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and I the South Wales Borderers. General Sir Archibald Hunter's division, forms tho extreme left flank of Lord Roberts s advance, qnd it is hoped that the relief of Mafeking will follow his, strategy. THE UATTIÆ ON THE VET, DASII OF THE CANADIANS AND I AT STlt ALIA N8. vwr RIVER, Sunday. At daybreak yesterday morning: GeueraJ Pole-Carew's division set out for the Yet River, a long march of nineteen miles. About one o'dor,1> lh. West Australian?, who Per* loouting, came in contart with tbe enemy. who were found to be holding the river, fle 84th and 85th Batteries were eroicrc,1 to advance, and, opening fire, unmasked the enemy's guns, which were six in number, two of them being long ranjje weapons. A fierce artillery duel ensued, the enemy unmasking guns on our right flank. The filth Battery was ordered to engage them. The 85th Itattery then became the murk for the whole of the gun* along the Boer front. The enemy's shooting \Va. v<:ry accurate, and thoir ehells, both shrapnel and percussion, fell amidst the battery, but our fire never slackened. Subsequently two naval 12-pounder8 eame into action, followed shortly afterwnnl6 by two 4.7il), ffuns, and half an hour later by two 5-in. siege guns, the whole making an tutonishing din. Connidering the accuracy of the enemy's fire. it was marvellous nobody was injured. The Tiring continued unabated till euntet. We silenced two Boer gum, but only tem- porarily. Between the two forces lay the river, into which fthells dropped every now and again. One Boer gun was obliged to drive to safer distance. Kven whsn dusk came desultory fire con- tinued. Meanwhile firing hai been heard to the left, where General Hutton was onuageti. no .tarted early for the purpoee of ilndius th drift to the west. When he arrived he dis- covered that the drift was strongly held and protected by two guns—a Maxim and" Iwm- pam. General Hutton immediately engaged the enemy, who enfiladed our dismounted firing line with their Maxim. Our force. however, pushed steadily forward with pora-jwui" and Maxim, an,1 compelled the enemy to leave the bed of th? river. As the Hoers emerged they cncoontsred a terribly hot fire. The whole force -uh"enncntlY crosscd the river, threatening the lloer right. About the same time the enemy must have received news of General Hamilton's occupa- tioll of Wipburg. Towards sunset 26 West .\a8IraliaQ8, who originally discovered the Boer advanced posi- tion on a 8In..ll rorky kopje, rrept voijtid unseen towards the river bed. Finding them- selves in the rear of a kQpje held by the enemy, they immediately opened lire, and then, fixing bayonets, took the kopje with a rosh, All th'8 was done on their own initiative. Two companies of Guards were immediately S3 nt forward to occupy the kpp.fe. Night fell with the fight to all appearance unfinished. In the early morning, however, it was dis- covered that the whole Boer for- had fled durine the night. General Hutton during the flight sent two squadrons to blow up the I;ne near Sma'deel. We discovered yesterday concealed every hundred yards along the railway small packets of high explosive. The Boers had destroyed three bridges over spruits between here and Branrifort, but In every case it was possible to make a detonr. The eneinv yesterday seemed to fight with mnch less spirit than usual. It is reported that they were commanded hy General Lueas Meyer. Our mounted infantry, who advanced across the open under a heavy fire. lost very little, and drove off the Boers with unaccustomed ease. The bridge over the Vet has been completely destroyed. General Hutton captured a Maxim and twelve prisoners.—Press Association War Special. [Now.—It will be noted with satisfaction that the Westralians, originally thought to have been captured, in reality executed a brilliant movement, of their own, and themselves captured a kopje.J HOW SMALDEEL WAS TAKEN. 1 SMAI.UF.t'.I,. Sonduy (9.45 p.m.). The great ailyauec progresses with the repi- larity ur wlJlI-or¡rani.d machinery. Alter a twenty-mile march we yesterday approached the Vet Hiver, Ttue Boer forees entrenched on the opposite bank were prepared to contest the crossing. Our gutis were brought, into play, and a terrific shell fire was directed npon the Boer line. At the same time the Qneenalanderi au the left, nnder a heavy ritie and rtiell fire, dashed across the river. advancing "nto in the open and completely turning the Boer right. It was duBk by this time. But nothins: could stop the gailant Australians. They pn-hed on again, seited a commanding kopje, and, by brilliant movement.* and continuous rifle fire, drove the enemy off in the darkness. The Qnwnslanders bivouacked on the cap- turod positions At the first gleam of dawn this morning it II" 'd that tbe enemy were in full flight. I 01?r -On -or- fte, them dit?ctty. and b' nine o'clock this morning we had entered this important Irattwit? point—junction of the lin* to Wynbury —Central Xews. GUN AND MAXIM CAPTURED Tli £ Bumc correspondent add «.— Sevt has .iust coma in that 11 i-nor ii Ian Hamilton h:ia been equally succeibful on our right. He is giv ns the Bner< no rest, and they aTe fafljng Wrk hurriedly. He entered Wi 'Iburg to-dav after a brisk figljt. in which the Boers fell bafk no (jnicUIy that one of the: gUill, in addition to ai Malim, was abandoned. THE ENEMY'S TREK FROM THABA N'CHU. GLAMOROJA.r VKOMAJSHY UXDKH FIRE. THANAXCHU. Si< to-day. To-day the Hants. Derbyshire. Stafford, and I Glamorganshire Yeomanry smartly cleared the hills to the left and centre of the enemy. Though they advanced in tbe face of a severe artillery fire, tbe yeomanry did not receive 1110 scratch. Our infantry and artillery were entrenching 1.p on the bill, which was the centre of the Boer posimon. | I^ The Boefs ?re trekking to the nortb-eMt. Tbey are holding Qn tenaciously to the south- east ^04 exchajiginc it ),cavy rifle fire with the Scots Guards at .Thaba K'ofcu Hill. Raiders are reported to be about. The Boers have removed their guns. It was here, donbUeM):. that Steyn propn- gpted the $try of the RuMO-Oertnan invasion of England. I have interviewed Bankes. the Gevniun com- mandant. who was taken prisoner. He that Botha was in sanrcme command, and that Dc Wet commanded the ¡,c,,1 forces. A commando of TransvaaJers bus arrived. The granaries at Ladybund wili be 1111, touched, tbe Bucrs refuing to de^trov th»"*ir "wn property. The- policy of the British in ¡ buying UJ) cr-jry track is a suiutarv onc. |" Daily Express," OCCUPATION OF SMALDEEL. UAPJVIfK OF RAIMVAV MATERIAL A X1) FORAGK. SMALDrrr,. Lord Hoberts's force haij ani,d hre. Xo opposition wae. oircrd oIl the march from Vet River. The train 'eft Smaldcei latr on Saturday night. The Boera yesterdar 011 the west flank of the Britirh advance lost 40 killed. The enemy's rearguard remains behind some kopjes ten mile. off A great quantity of railw.iy materia!, and also of forage and corn, was found here. It i9 stated the enemy are retreating on Kroonstad. The Zand River nr;o is re- ported to have been destroyed.—Iteiitir. RECONNAISSANCE FitOM HOSIIOF. [PRESa ASSOCIATIOX TIXECUiAMS.] UOSHOt'. Thursday. A i-tconnaisuaiice in force, under Lord Methuen, left lIoshof this morning in tile direction of Sjartlw¡>je¡;Iont-ein, Tbe force consisted of one battery of Held artillery, two regiments of infantry, and two regiments of Imperial Yeomanry. The troops proceeded to Beck's Irtarm. The mounted men scouted over the country to about four miles from Sjart- [ kop.iesfontein, and located a Boer laoger some seven miles east of Beck's Farm, R-etumin^ I to the farm in the ..vening, the enemy opened Are on one patrol, killing a horse and wound- ing anot h er. in!! anotjler, Friday. e left Becks Farm at 5.E0 this morning. The mounted forces pushed on eastwards to S.ja rt kop jesfont c in. Small parties of the enemy were ;,¡)1!n, and they fired on our left flanking patrol, doing, however, no damage. The patvnl returned the fire, woundiny one Boer. A fairly strong force of the enemv was .n trekking northward, and the iaager which was tfen yesterday was found to have been removed in the night. The force return-?'! to Beck's Parm this evening, and goes back to Boshof to-morro 1\ GENERAL IAN HAMILTON I General Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton, who is figuring so prominently in nearly every message from the front, id only fort?y-leveii y.us of ,g?. and is (he -n of a /IOWier, He was educated at Wellington, and eoon after obtaining his first eommiaaion in the o.'d 12th Hegiment of Foot, he was transferred to the Gordon Highlanders. With them he look part in the Afghan war of 1879-80. and was twioe mentioned in diøpat<ili"s, Prom Afghanistan he went with his regiment to South Africa, and there the Gordons were at once hurried to the front, so that on the 1110rning of Majuba Day Lieutenant Hamilton found himself, with thfec companies of Highlanders, on 1118 northern face of the hill. After assisting in a stubborn defence he W''U! severely wounded, and very narrowly esout>o:l death. In the following year he returned to India as aide-de-camp to Lord Roberts, and there he profited by his experience of Boer warfare to use every means in his power to improve the marksmanship of our men. He t-k part th, >"i!e -P-diti-n of 1864-5, in which he earned the brevet rank of major, and was farther promoted to the brevet '•link of eutoenaiit-rolonel :ift? the Burmese F.pe. dltion of 866-7. Next be _8 snt ba,?k to India to superintend musketry training there. He took Dart in the Chitral and Tir?h e?peditiom. and in IM he was appointed I ;,irJ1l a¡ /h. o\e of Muekctry at. Hythe, whence he wme sent to the front last year. In 1691 Oolonel Hamilton received the D.S.O., and he was made a C.B. after the Ohitral campaign.