Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-05-26
THE BOTRS DETERMINED
They Declare Their Intention to
ar Fight to Finish.
CLEARING OUT NoN-ooMBATANTs

Boer Chtefs Preparing With the Ut
most Haste For the Defense OF Pre-
tOris and Johannesbure-Lor Rob-
<xts Moving On Boer stronEhoids.
London, May 23.-The Transvaal
government has informed the CORE
spondents at Pretoria that 1t has not
considered and does not intend to con-
slider unconditional surrender, but will
light to finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that Johannesburg
will be defended. and the government
announces that II viii not hold Itself
responsible for injury to person or
property resulting from the defense
measures.
Pretoria dispatches affirm that Prssi-
dent Kruger. President Steyn and all
the most prominent leaders OF both
republics, after q prolonged inter-
change OF views, are determined to
continue the resistance, but that q MI
norfty OF the leaders advocate sur
render without terms.
Mrs. Reitz, wife OF the Transvaal
state secretary. and her family, with
the families OF other officials, have
gone to Lourenzo Marques. Johannes
burg and Pretoria are being cleared
or non-combatants. The Boer chiefs.
who now recognize the possibility that
they will have to defend these cities.
are preparing with the utmost haste.
The Boer spirit has been rising from a
low ebb. and is now ready for a stead
fast resistance.
Nevertheless, according TO the Daily
Chronicle, long messages In Dutch
have been received by the British gov
eminent by way OF Amsterdam. I'm
which President Kruger seeks peace.
according to one account President
kruger surrenders unconditionally:
according to another he asks for terms.
There seems to be good reason for
believing that he Is earnestly endeav-
cring TO secure terms, but cable in
Quiries fail to confirm the assertion
that correspondence has recently pass
ed between Great Britain and the
Transvaal respecting terms.
Lord Roberts is again moving. The
British infantry left Kroonstad Mon
day and headquarters was expected TO
leave yesterday. The railway has been
restored. and the first train IS due to
arrive today.
/. The Beers are busy blasting for gun
emplacements along the Rhonoster
river. Gen. De Wet commands, as Gen.
Botha Is Ill.
The advance OF Lord Roberts will
propahly be swift 1t is the expecta-
ton OF well informed observers here
that the Vaal river. IS miles beyond
Kroonstad, will be crossed by the end
OF the week.
Sir Redvers Butler. in q general or
der to his troops congratulating them
on the result OF their ten days. oper-
atoms. says they were only checked at
Lainss Mex by fresh commando sent
from the Transvaal. Gen. Clery, with
q cavalry brigade, engaged the rear
guard OF the Beers at Laings Mex on
Sunday. captured number OF wagons
and took some prisoners, His artil-
lery shelled the Mex. The Beers In
their retreat laid waste the territory,
blew up bridges and burned several
houses. as many as six at Newcastle.
The machinery Of the Navigation coll
lieries was ruined.
Gen. Butler. replying to residents Of
Newcastle who presented him with a
trophy said he expected to return
from Pretoria soon.
Nothing new concerning the relief
OF Mafeking has come through. All
the accounts OF the engagement on
May 16 cxtois the bravery of the Cam
adams. Col. Mahon's column arrived
at the rendezvous one hour after Col.
Plumer, showing with what accuracy
the movements were timed.
The Durham correspondent OF The
Times. telegraphing yesterday, says:
REV. Adrain Hofmeyr tells me he was
Informed by a high Boer official that,
when President Kruger notified the
raad OF the governments arrangements
to blow up the mines and to destroy
Johannesburg Gen. Louis Botha hur-
ried 80 Pretoria and had a stormy in
terview with President Kruger, to
whom he said that, If the plan were
not cancelled he would himself de-
fend johannesburg, adding that the
Beers were not barbarians At this,
according to Mr.. Hofmeyr, the plan
was abandoned"