The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-22
THE TUG OF WAR.

It is reported that President Kruger
has made proposition for peace
'crouched in an humble strain. I"
In Kroonstad 1t is said that President
Kruger will surrender when Lord Rob.
erts crosses the Transvaal frontier.
1t is reported that a plot has been dis
covered at Pretoria to depose President
Kruger and surrender the Tranevaal.
In @ great battle between the govern.
ment troops and the insurgents in 90.
lumbia, two generals were killed and
the other Losses were heavy.
Oommandant De Wet, not the general
of that name. has offered Surrender
TO Lord Roberts co2.aa,,t.i,onally. that he
and his men 70 allowed to return to
their faGs6s, bat Lord Roberts replied
tnGt the surrender must be uncondi-
tional.
Hazell's American scouts have suf-
fered more heavily than any other Boer
corps during the war. In the past SIX
weeks out Of force 100 strong they
have lost 81 in killed, wounded or
captured. They stormed the British
position at Tababerg and simply wiped
out the detachment holding the posts
and captured Captain Oheyne and six
men.
Messrs Fischer ,Wolmarans and Wes-
sells, the Boer Peace Commissioners from
the Transvaal. and the officers, arrived
ia Washington Friday night, accom-"
panied by the. Congressional and Oiti-
zens' Committee, which escorted them
from New York. The ENJOYS were
given an informal reception at their
hotel. where Congressman Sulzer, OF
New York, introduced them and made
q speech Of welcome. A large reception
was given Sunday night The recep.
ton Of the Boer ENJOYS was discussed
by the Cabinet 1t is understood that
merely as private citizens will they be
presented TO the President by the Sec
rotary of State.
MAFEKING RELIEVED.
The news that Msfeking had been
relieved created great enthusiasm In
London and the people went into CO.
staoies. The relief Of the town may
not mark Sa,crucial point in the his
tory Of she war. yet, it lie very evident
that the British regard 1t as Of decided
importance, and a step towards the
termination of hostilities
In London inspiring speeches were
made and the people reJoioed.
The lord mayor was accompanied by
the lady mayoress TO the ftOnt Of the
Mansion House, where an immense
portrait Of Col. Baden Powell, was dis
played. bearing the inscription: 'Mafe'
king relieved.
While the attendants were waving
Union Jacks the lord mayor briefly ad-
dressed the assemblage, saying: " l
wish your cheers could reach Mafe-
king" Rule Britannia, was sung
with zest
The lord mayor then led the crowd
in singing God save the Queen" and
"SoIdiers Of the Qneen," and with re-.
newed cheering and the waving OF
flags by the assembled multitude and
the singing Of For He's Jolly Good
Fellow" the mayor and his party re-
tired.
The masses of people outside she
Mansion House soon grew to such d.
mansions that the police were compell-
ed TO divert all traffic, omnibuses, ETC.,
through the side streets.
The cheering soon became incessant.
Special editions of the newspapers ap-
peared, and the tickers announced the
news in all the public resorts. In the
West End leading thoroughfares were
eventually impeded by constant
stream of the populaoe cheering them
selves hoarse and singing God Save
the Queen" and Soldiers OF the
Queen. "
The public buildings were illuminated
and the great city Of London was wild
with enthusiasm,