Missouri Valley times., 1900-06-21
SIGNS THAT war
IS NEARLY OVER
The Natal Volunteers Dismissed b,
Sir Redvers Butler Last
Saturday.
SOME TROOPS MAY GO TO CHINA
Said to BE Bilictcd For tho
Far East---I'i.hting East
of Pretoria.
oMe TROOPS MAY GO TO CHINA

London, June t9.-There are some
indications that Roberts considers
the wars end in South Africa not far
distant. One of these is the fact that
the Natal volunteers, who had seen
hard service, We're dismissed to their
homes by Sir Redvers Butler Satur-
day.
Another indication is the report
current in authoritatively informed
military circles i'm London that Il
complete division of regulars is to be
withdrawn from General Bullcr's
army and embarked at Durham for
China.
The troops from India will probably
go next.
Unofficial intelligence from Macha-
dodorp, via, Lourenzo Marquee, Is to
the effect that the British troops are
near Middleburg.
The Boer narrative of the fighting
east OF Pretoria says;
The commanders east of Pretoria,
in the direction of Bronkhorst spruit,
were compelled to retire after fierce
stand of more than two days. The
short range rifle fire was very hot,
and for part of the second day, espe-
cially late in the afternoon, the enemy
fought at distance of 100 yards. Our
loss cannct be given. Field Colonel
John Van Buren, was killed.
Information is again to hand re-
garding the miserable condition of the
snemy's troops that have penetrated
20 Johannesburg and Pretoria. They
continually complain Of the luck of
food. Several British soldiers have
died i'm the streets of Pretoria of cN-
haustion and starvation. Along the
'oad lie the corpses of horses and
mules, while the living animals arc so
weak that they are hardly able TO
earry their loads"
Another bulletin from Machadodorp,
according to dispatch dated June 15,
says:
sl'ifteen officers and 100 British SOL
iier prisoners have arrived at Stan
.erton. Free State, bound for Nooit
aedacht. Thirty burghers were killed
and wounded during the last few days
fighting near Pretoria"
MIR. Steyn has issued proclamation
declaring that the Free State still ex-
SITS, is independent, and does not ac-
knowledge the authority of Great
Britain.
Negotiating Peace Terms.
London, June 19.-A rumor is rife
n this city that Lord Roberts is nego-
tiating with President Kruger and
General Botha through their wives in
regard to terms of surrender.
Vandalism of Beers.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing from Butler:
'Laing's Mex, June 15.--Now that
Natal is clear of the enemy l wish to
:all attention to the disgraceful way
in which private property was treat
ed in the part of the colony they oc-
cupicd. Their willful and needless
damage is visible everywhere. Houses,
when not completely wrecked, have
been desecrated with filthy ingenuity
That this has been done with the con-
sent of the leaders is proved by the
fact that while in Charlestown every
house was wrecked, i'm Nolksrust. two
miles off. but in the Transvaal, every
house is intact"
Badcn-PowcIi's Operations.
The war office has received the fol
lowing from Roberts:
"Pretoria-Ru Rustenburg was occu-
pied yesterday by Badcn-Powcll. A
column starts from this place tomor
row to meet Baden-Powell and repair
the telegraph between Pretoria anG
Rustenburg. Hunter is moving from
Potchefstroom. Ills advance brigade
expects to reach Johannesburg June
10. Butler, ! hope, is at standcrton
lIaidelburg will be occupied from this
place shortly and then Orange River
Colony will be completely cut from
The Transvaal. Baden-Powell reports
he district through which he passed
settling down satisfactorily. Over
1000 stands of arms Were surrendered
and Hans Eloff and Piet Krueger, sor
of the president, submitted to him
yesterday, having been previously dis
armed on their farms.
'l'otha's army has retired and j.
believed to be at Mildlcborg. His real
guard was surprised and entirel,
;'outed by 1amilton's mounted infan
try"
a telegram from Cape Town am
1ounces that the ministerial dead
ocli has been relieved. Sir John Cor
Ion sprigg hopes to have ministry
formed by Monday.
A dispatch from Laing's mex say.
Christian Botha's next stand will b'
4,