The Irish standard., 1900-05-26
WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
Unconditional Surrender Not to BE
Considered by Boer Leaders-Col.
Bethune's Force Ambushed,

London, May 23.-The Transvaal gov
eminent has informed the correspond
ents at Pretoria that it has not con-
sidered and does not intend to con-
slider unconditional surrender, but will
fight to finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that johannesburg
will be defended, and the government
announces that it will not hold itself
responsible for injury to person or
property resulting from the defense
measures. Pretoria dispatches affirm
that President Kruger, President
steyn and all the most prominent lead
ers OF both republics, after prolonged
interchange of views, are determined
to continue the resistance, but that q
minority of the leaders advocate sur
render without terms.
Mrs. Reitz, wife of the Transyaal
state secretary, and her family, with
the families of other officials, have
gone to Lourenzo Marques. Johannes
burg and Pretoria are being cleared
OF noncombatants. The Boer chiefs,
who now recognize the possibility
that they will have to defend these
cities, are preparing with the utmost
haste. The Boer spirit has been ris-
ing from low ebb and is now ready
Tor steadfast resistance.
Nevertheless. according to the Daily
Chronicle long messages in Dutch
have been received by the British gov
eminent by way of Amsterdam, in
which President Kruger seeks peace.
According to one account, President
Kruger surrenders Internationally;
according to another he asks for
terms. There seems to be good rea-
son for believing that he is earnestly
endeavoring to secure terms, but cable
inquiries fail to confirm the assertion
That correspondence has recently
passed between Great Britain and the
Transvaal respecting terms.
Cape Town, Monday, May 21.-Brit-
ish troops have arrived ut Veerecnig-
ing Tin the Transvaal, north of the
Vaal river). The bridge across the
Vaal was found to be intact. Twenty
seven Free State and Transvaal loco
motives were captured.
London, May %. - The war office has
received the following dispatch from
Gen. Butler:
Newcastle. May 22.-I have received
the following from Bcthune: 'Mny q,
while marching in the direction of New
castle. one of my squadrons OF Bethunes
mounted infantry was ambushed by
Beers six miles west of Vryheid and very
few cscaped. Lieuts. Lausum and Capell
p,is sIy,Sr Il
La War; Is slightly wounded in the leg.
The total casualties are about G6. l have
returned to Mouth for supplies. Will
march tomorrow for Newcastle via Dun
dee.'"
Gen. Butler then proceeds:
II detached Col. Bethunc and about 500
men from Dundee May.l7 with instruc-
sions TO march by Vaults drift and show
his force at Mouth. which was reported
to have been evacuated by the enemy,
preparatory to the return of the magis-
trates and civil establishment to the dis
trict. He was TO rejoin me at Newcastle
afterwards"
Lord Roberts reports to the war Of
fee in dispatch dated Kroonstad,
May 2l, us follows:
"Mahon reports that the flying column
entered Mafeking at four a. m., May 49,
He was stubbornly opposed by 1900 men
on May II. nino miles from Mafcking,
but the Beers were driven from their
strong positions after five hours fight
ing, thanks, he says, to the magnificent
qualities of his troops. A detachment of
Canadian artillery, by IL series of forced
marches reached him the morning of the
fighting and rendered very valuable as
sistance.
"Mahon's casualties were about 30. The
Boer losses were heavy"