The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-13
BRITISH ARE IN KRooNSTAD.
nOERs MADE WEAK DEFENSE OF
THEIR HEADQUARTERS.

steyn Fled After Vainly Endeavor-
ing to Persuade Free Stnters to
Continue Their OppOsition-Lind-
ley Is the New Seat of the Free
state GOvernment-British Met Lit
tie OppositiOn-SOme Fighting Re-
ported In other Quarters.
London, May 12.-The war office has re-
ceived the following dispatch from Gen
Roberts:
''kroonstad, May 70, 2 p MI entered
Kroonstad at 1870 without opposition to-
DAY when the Union Jack was hoisted
amidst cheers from the few British resi-
dents.
President Steyn fled last evening af-
ter vainly endeavoring to persuade the
burghers to continue opposing us. The
Transvaalers said they would no longer
fight on Orange Free State soil and made
eff for the Vaal river. Free Staters accus-
ed the Transvaalers of having made use
of them and then deserting. Many of the
Free Staters have. gone to their homes
'The procession entering the town was
headed by my body guard, all of whom
were colonels and after my staff and for
ttSh ODASClS SdLltt luS 4NOIfn OOUleIS6l
Imperial Yeomanry, followed by Pole-Ca-
rew's division consisting of the guards
and the eighteenth brigade navals, the
Eighty-third. Eighty-fourth and Eighty
fifth batteries, two 5-inch guns manned
by this Royal Artillery Company and the
Twelfth engineers. The rest of the force
encamped around the town.
''RefOra leaving KronnStad pY-aci5apt
Steyn issued a proclamation making
Lindley the seat of government of the
Free State.
Gems. Botha and Dewet accompanied
the TransVaalers."
The March to krOonstnd.
The war office has received the follow
Ing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
''Boshrand, May 12,9:O5 a. MI am eight
miles south of Kroonstad. The enemy
evacuated the first line of entrench-
ments during the night We are now re-
connoitering toward Kroonstad.
Gen. Frenchs cavalry seized the drift
over the Valsoh river at 4;50 last even
ing, just in time to prevent passage being
opposed by the enemy"
Lord Roberts telegraphs to the war of
fee, under date of Geneva Siding, May
Il, evening, as follows:
MY headquarters, with Pole -Carew's
division, marched twenty miles to-day,
and are now al Geneva Siding fourteen
miles from Kroonstad and about six miles
from Boshrand, where the Beers are hold
ing entrenched positions Gordon's bri-
gade is in touch with them; fuckers
division is a short distance southeast and
Hamilton's' force is still further east
Broadwoofs brigade overlook a part of
the enemys convoy yesterday at Potgie-
ter's laager, southeast of Ventersburg and
captured several wagons and some pris-
oners.
French with Porter's and Dickson's
brigades and Hutton's mounted infantry
is some distance due north of this place.
1--WE have taken nearly 100 prisoners dur
ing the last two days. All the Free Staters
who could give a good account of them
selves have been disarmed and allowed TO
return to their farms
The nights are getting much cooter. -
Situation Is Satisfactory.
London. May 13, 4 a. m-The situation
at the seat of war in South Africa as as
satisfactory from the British viewpoint
as the most sanguine friend could have
hoped a week ago. The occupation of
kroonstad practically places the whole
orange Free State in British possession.
1t is evident from Lord Roberts last
dispatch, that the disintegration has COM
menced. The Free Staters are scattering
% their homes. while the Transvaalers
have gone northward, declining to fight
-'pNA III tiiS CldtlSG EIGt oldle. Wllt
mile resistance the former still are like
iy to make, seems to be centering at Lind
icy, whittier President Steyn has trans
Ierred his government.
II is evident that the strategy of Lord
Roberts and the rapidity of his advance
nave bewildered and disheartened the
boers, as their resistance since the Brit
tsh reached Zand river has been slight.
Inc only point where they seriously at
tempted to check The advance seems 90
nave been on the British right where
they defended with some vigor two kop-
yes which eventually were carried by the
I1ahcashires and Sussex, the Beers final
~ retreating, leaving a group of gum
Hefs dead on the top of one of the hills.
me only point in the Free State where
the Beers seem in any force except at
Lord Roberts front, is on the southeast,
"hare Gems Rundle, Campbell and Bra
pant are holding them in check, west of
flcksburg and Ladybran& and are grad
uaily pushing them back, as well as ef-
Iectually defeating all their efforts to
preak through and threaten Lord Rob-
erts communications.
Ihere is no further news regarding the
ADVANCE Of the relief column to Mafeking
nut IL is possible that Lord Roberts sue
cesses will result in forcing the Beers
90 raise the siege.
Pretoria advlces via Lorenzo Marcuez
stale that the Beers supply of smokeless
powder is exhausted, and that all attempts
20 manufacture a fresh supply have been
unsuccessful
a dispatch from Cape Town, dated May
~ says that Lord strathconas horse have
gone to the front and that Lord Castle
own has been appointed commissioner Of
Nee Wepener district.
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