The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-06-01
ROBERTS 30 NILES AWAY
Final Dash on rranSvaal Cap
ital Has Begun.
BOERS BLOW UP MINES.

Kruger Has Train with Steam Up Ready
to Aid Hts Escape From the British-Ths
Views of the BOer Commandants is said
to be Against Continuing the Struggle.
London, May 29.-England is to-day
thrilled with excitement, believing
that Roberts is in johannesburg, with
in thirty miles of Pretoria, and the
news is expected at any moment that
the final dash on the Transvaal capital
has begun.
To increase the intense strain on the
nations nerves, the fear is present,
too, that some great disaster, like the
blowing up of Johannesburg or some
of its mines, may tread close upon the
heels of British occupation of the city.
1t is thought here that Lord Roberts
will not risk any large part of his
army in Johannesburg to become pos
sible victims of Boer dynimite, but
will throw sufficient force into the
"City of Gold" to hold it and rush on
toward the Boer capital with his main
army.
The commander-in-chief last even
ing was at Kip river, within eighteen
miles of Johnnesberg. lie marched
twenty miles yesterday, and his ad-
vance guard was surely well in ad-
vance toward the Rand capital when
he stopped for the night.
He reports the Beers as fleeing be-
fore him in panic; SO it is figured that
his OutpOsts will reach Johannesburg
early to-day
French and Hamilton met with op-
position ten miles to the left of Rob-
erts's line of advance and fought all
yesterday afternoon, but it is believed
that they have beaten off the Beers
and cleared the way for another on
ward sweep.
Detailed reports of the utter demor-
alization of the Beers are arriving.
Kruger, it is said. has everything all
ready for flight, probably to Holland.
He has a special train all provisioned
and standing with steam up near Pre-
toria, ready for rush to Lourenzo
Marquee.
Reports are renewed that the Brit
ish have broken the Boer line at Held
elberg, thus cutting off the Transvaal-
ers at Laings Mex, and preventing
them from going to the aid of Pre-
toria.
1t is said that Gen. Botha, the Boer
commander-in-chief, has arrived at
Pretoria. His mission is to ask Kru-
ger to arrange terms Of peace without
delay.
The views of commandants, it has
been ascertained, are against continu-
ing the struggle. Last Tuesday was
the day fixed for receiving the replies.
Gen. Roberts announces his arrival
at Kip river in this despatch:
kip River, Transvaal, May %, 5:25
P. M.-We marched twenty miles to-
day, and are now eighteen miles from
johannesburg. The enemy had pre-
pared several positions, where they
Intended to oppose us, but they aban-
doned one after the other as we got
near them. We pressed them so hard
that they had only time to get their
five guns into train and to leave this
station as some of the West Australi-
an mounted infantry dashed into it.
Trenches and Ian Hamilton's forces
are apparently engaged with the en-
emy about ten miles to our left, as fir
ing has been heard since noon. The
farmers near our line Of advance are
surrendering with their arms and am
munition.
"Rundle occupied Senaki on Nav
"A. No report of what took place has
reached me yet"
A war correspondent sends the fol-
lowing from Lourenza Marquee I'M
der yesterdays date:
81 have just returned from Pretoria.
which place l visited at some risk in
disguise. The state of Generalization
In the Transvaal is remarkable. Panic
and confusion prevail everywhere.
Every one is weary of the war and
full Of fear over the coming of the
British troops
president Kruger has had all ar
rangements made for immediate fight
to Holland.
THE government last Sunday con-
signed to Holland thirty-six boxes of
bullion, insured at value of 5000
pounds sterling per box. Not much
gold is likely to be found in the treas
ury.
1.-THE seat of government will be re.
moved to Waterfall Bowen, a small sta.
tion on the Delago Bay Railway line.
and then, il necessary, to Lydenburg.
ain Johannesburg there has been a
decided change Of public opinion, and
has become quite English. Burghers
on eammando are now singing God
Save the Queen and cannot he stop
ped"
Cape Town, May 29-The British
Government has formally annexed the
Orange Free State.
WASHINGTON NOTES.