The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-23
BLOENFONTE|N CAPTURED
BEAT A IASTY RETREAT
NORTHWARD.
Makes a State Entry Into the
Capital, and Is Received With Enthu-
siasm BY the People.

LONDON, March 15.-A dispatch to
the Daily Chronicle from BloemfOntein
dated Tuesday evening, March 18th
says:
Bloemfontein surrendered at 10 o'clock
today. 1t was occupied at noon. Presi-
dent Steyn, with majority of the fight
ing burghers, has fed northward.
General French was within five miles
of the place at 5 o'clock Monday after
noon. He sent a summons into the
town threatening to lombard unless it
surrendered by 4 a. m. Tuesday. A
white flag was hosted Tuesday morn
ing, and a deputation of the Town
Council, with Mayor Kellner, came out
to meet Lord Roberts at Spitz Kop,
five miles south of the town, making a
formal surrender of the place.
Lord Roberts made a state entry at
noon. He received tremendous ova-
ton. After visiting the public buildings
he went to the official residence of the
President, followed by a cheering
crowd, who waved the British flag ard
sang the British national anthem. They
were in a condition of frenZied excite
fnent.
Monday afternoon, previous to the
surrender, there had been a little snip
ing and Smelling, but the enemy retired
Lord Roberts has his headquarters at
the Presidents house, and there are
many of the British wounded in the
building. The railway is not injured.
The following is the text of Lord
Roberts dispatch to the War Office an
nouncing his occupation of Bloemfon-
tein:
'BLoEMFONTEIN, March 1873 p.
My the help of God and by the
bravery of her Majesty's soldiers the
troops under my command have taken
| possession of Bloemfontein. The Brit
ish flag now flies over the Presidency,
evacuated last evening by Mr.. Steyn,
late President of the Orange Free
State. Mr.. Fraser, member of the late
executive government; the Mayor the
secretary to the late Governor, the
Landrost and other officials met me two
miles from the town and presented me
with the keys of the public offices.
THE enemy have withdrawn from the
neighborhood and all seems quiet. The
inhabitants Of Bloemfontein gave the
troops a cordial welcome"
The above dispatch, though dated
Tuesday, was not received at the War
Office until 1880 p. m. Wednesday. 1t
was made public a few minutes before
! 8 o'clock The delay is attributed to
the field teiegraphs not being connected
with Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening.
Extra papers are already out on the
streets and the night crowds of London
are singing patriotic songs and engag-
ing in demonstrations.
| LONDON, March 15.--A dispatch 70
the Daily Mail from Bloemfontein, dat
ed Tuesday evening at o'clock, says
1--WE surprised and outflanked the
enemy with irresistible force over night.
General French held the enemy north
and south of Bloemfontein, while Lord
Roberts dispatched a prisoner on pa
role, threatening to lombard unless the
city surrendered. The townsmen be-
came alarmed. President SteYn and the
chief members of the executive council
fed and proclaimed Kroonstadt to be
the capital.
"Steyn fled to Winberg. At last only
5000 fighting men remained and in the
morning finding themselves so weak
ened, broke their guns. Others fed.
The remnant still shelle6 General
French at dawn, but the opposition
soon collapsed. Eight locomotives and
much rolling stock were captured. The
Beer organization is collapsing and the
breach between the Free Staters and
the Transvaalers is widening.
Maj General Prettyman has cen
appointed Military Governor of Bloem~
fontein. Lord Roberts and his staff
have ridden through the town and been
everywhere cheered. The British ma
tional anthem is enthusiastically sung
by the population, the shops are gladly
opening and there is general rejoicing