Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-03-22

London, March 1S.-With the railway
communication to the Cape intact,
! Lord Roberts will in a very few days
be in a position to begin the advance
ON Pretoria. His deep political intu-
ltion, combined with his bold strategy.
is having the result desired in the
southern sections of the Orange Free
State. which are rapidly calming down.
Mafekins is Row the only point for
anxiety, and as it is known that a
force has left kimberley, it's relief may
be announced before many days pass.
The efficiency of the relieving column
Is heightened by the fact that it is
partly composed of regulars.
In the Hobbies of parliament last
evening it was rumored that Lord
Roberts is about to issue proclama-
ton announcing that the former sys-
tenn Of government in the Orange Free
State is abolished and promising Free
Staters who Immediately surrender due
consideration.
1t is understood that all the conl.
Mental powers. with one exception.
nncompromisingly refused to intervene.
The exception was Russia. whose reply
was couched in less firm language. al
though, like the others. she declined 10
Interfere. 1t is said thar the pope was
also appealed to. but that he declined
70 do anything beyond writing letter
to the queen, appealing 10 her to stop
The further
EfusiOn of Blood.
Dr. Leyds' efforts With King Leopold
were quite futile The possibility of
the destruction of johannesburg is
that the French and German share
holders would offer strong profess.
The latest advices resDec'i ing lliH S''f
render Of Bloemfon;c;n si4v-S tLai dc
approach Of the British cause, !, STAN
pede. Thirteun tains. each composed
Of forty cars and all crammed with
Beers, hurried northward just before
the line was cut. MI. Syeyn would
have been compelled 10 surrender. but
he pretended that he was going to
visit one of the outpoS;S, and at mid
night took carriage which was watt
ing for him oiitside the town and 1hns
escaped. Tie Beers got the bulk Of
their wagons and military stores away.
Sen. Hector Macdonald's wound has
nearly healed. He accompanied the
3rigcde to Bloemfon!ein,
Lord Roberts comments upol. The
earlier operations OF the wal in The
London Gazette and his absolute ST.
patch is regarded as Very significant,
The Times observes that this silence
IS. perhaps more significant than
words, especially when connected with
the fact that Lord Mcthucn no longer
takes any prominent part in the cam
paign.
Reported by Lord Roberts.
London March 1S.-Lord Roberts has
sent the following dispatch TO the war
office. dated at Blocnfonfen Friday:
Gen. Clements crossed the Orange
river yesterday. Repairs 10 the rail-
way bridge at NOrvalSpont have com.
menced and it will shortly be ready for
traffic. Gen. pole-Carew telegraphs
his arrival III Springfonlein. so that
Bloemfontein now is practically in rail
communication With Cape Town. My
proclamation is already having an ex-
cellent effect. Several hundred burgh-
ers have expressed their intention to
surrender their arms and return to
their occupations The resident com.
missioner Of Basutoland reports that
300 Beers lately arrived from Bloem-
fontein. and that further contingent
from Aliwalnorth was only waiting to
know the terms Of my proclamation Of
surrender. They had refused to at.
tend council at kroonstadt. to which
President Steyn had summoned them.
Beers Had Fled.
Bethulie. o. F. S.. March 1S.-Gen
Gatacre, on arriving here. found that
all the Beers had fed. The town was
nearly deserted. the Dutch having
trekkeG on hearing of the occupation
Of Bloen.fontein. 1t is believed that
the Beers retired in the direction OF
Dewetsdcrp. The telegraph is open to
Springfontein. 1t is understood here
that President Kruger two days ago
annexed the Orange Free State to the
South African republic.
| Admit Their Cause IL Hopeless.
London. March 1S.-The Daily Mai
has the following dispatch from
Lourenzo Marques, dated Friday: I'm
| 'iSuClluS Is IIOEct1llS Oh lue NdH
river at Eereeyng. Late arrivals from
Pretoria say that the Beers themselves
now admit that their cause is hopeless
Gen. Lucas Meyer refuses to fight
again and has returned to his farm
Gen. Schalk- Burger has also returned
and the burghers are going home by
hundreds"
| GASOLINE EXPLOSION.