Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-06-01

London, May 31.-The following dis
match from Lord Roberts has been re-
ceived at the war office here: 20
hannesburg, May 31.-2 p. M.-Her Ma
,esty's forces are now in possession OF
johannesburg and the British flag
floats over the government buildings.
The war office here knows nothing
about the reported capture of President
Kruger.
Iondon. May 31.-The Daily Mail
saws II has received cable dispatches.
this afternoon, from correspondents at
Pretoria completely confirming LORD
Rosslyns dispatch of yesterday an
nouncing the imminent fall OF the cap
ital of the Transvaal.
London. May 91.-Lord Roberts lat
est dispatches shed a somewhat dil-
ferent light on the military situation
Before they were received celebrations
were organized in the country towns
in honor of the fall of Pretoria. In
Chester public holiday was declared
while at Dover, Portsmouth and many
other places in the provinces HagS
we're flown and rejoicings were genef-
al Pretoria, however, is not yet in the
hands of the British, though there is
no reason to doubt the authenticity
of the report that President Kruger
has evacuated the place ana that the
municipality is ready to surrender
when confronted by superior numbers
At 9 o'clock last night. the final for
ward movement on the Transvaal cap
ital had apparently not commenced.
All Lord Roberts dispositions of troops
appear to apply to Johannesburg and
though the British seem certain TO
reach Pretoria within a day or so they
will not occupy it without fighting, IL
the opposition of the Beers around
Johannesburg is any criterion. Gen.
Frenchs movement appears not 50
much an immediate advance on Pre-
tOria as part of a plan to surround
johannesburg, from which, last night,
he was only few miles distant. Lord
r 1berts himself is at Elandsfontein
Junction His forces will be placed to
the south, west and north of Johannes
burg subsequent to the surrender of
the city. These units will probably h"
reconcentrated while Gen. French ad-
vances from the advantageous posi-
llNIl ne dIltdly oNIuBiCS' IiI liit'lA
ARMY is Converging toward the rail
road. following closely on his heels.
Supposing that Johannesburg sur
renders. at noon today, Pretoria should
be reached by June >, opposition or no
opposition Gen Brabants loss of 40
men is striking evidence that the an
nexation Of the Free State by no
means implies its pacification.
. SO thoroughly is the country here
imbued with the belief that Pretoria
has fallen that Joseph Chamberlain
speaking. this morning. at a meeting
of the University of birmingham, pro-
posed a message to the Queen congrat-
ulating her upon the capture of Jo-
hannesburg and Pretoria. and the con-
gratulatory telegram was given to the
afternoon newspapers.
This afternoon, the newspapers all
acknowledge the prompt friendliness
Of the United States consul at Pre-
toria. Mr. Adelbert S. Hay, in assist
ing in the release of a number of
British officers to take command of
the British prisoners in order to avert
disturbance among the latter.
London, May 31.-The war office has
received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts. under date of Germiston.
May 80:
In answer to flag of truce l sent to
johannesburg, this morning. the COM
mandant came to see me. He begged
me to defer entering the town for "a
hours, as there were many armed
burghers still inside. / agreed to this,
as am most anxious to avert the pos
sibility af anything like disturbance
inside the town and the bodies of the
enemy are still holding the hills in the
Immediate neighborhood. from which
they Will have to be cleared off before
hand.
Rundle reports that he attacked a
large party of Beers near Senekal on
May 2S. He said his casualties were
not heavy.
braDant reports that. on May 2S,
Two OF his patrols consisting of two Of
hcers and 40 men, were cut off by the
enemy and taken prisoners"
Germistown, Transvaal. May 30
Wednesday, 3.25 T. M.-Johannesburg
is practically in British possession. The
mines are uninjured. Nine engines, a
coai train and great quality of rolling
STOCK was captured
The remnants Of the Beers rear
guard remained behind and fought in
'ie streets of Germistown. but were
eaSliv cleared by the grenadiers.
me troops have not yet occupied Jo-
nailhesburg. Gen. French is now at
Eiahdslaagte. The guards hold Glands
ioh'elh and Germiston. The state en-
uy INTO johannesburg will take place.
tomorrow
me johannesburg Beers have gone
" rretorla. The railroad from here to
ny Naal river is uninjured.
hamilton is now at Florida. due west
johannesburg, and French is a few
s lurther to the northeast. The
toiuohs' the cavalry. the mounted in
,antry and the seventh division are
"o'uihs the heights of the town The
eleventh division. with batteries "J'
anu and the heavy artillery. arc
Nou.h or Johannesburg.
hamilton speaks in high terms of
praise OF the manner in which Rruce
siaihilton and Col Spens of tbo Simon