Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-03-17
Lord Roberts Unable to Head a
Column Into Bl oelnfOnte ten as
Intended,
But He Promises to Be on Hand
When the British Enter
/ Pretoria.
Just Where Beers VIII Make
Their Next Stand an Import
ant Question.

LONDON, March II. Lord Roberts
success in handling the civil problems
at .Bloemfo tein and the manifest eqan-
unity with which the residents of the
capital Of the Orange Free State accept
the British occup patton momentarily
eclipse III interest the military situation.
1T is believed here that the commando
in-chief of the British forces in South
Africa viii soon push on to Pretoria,
but Great Britain is quite content to
listen for "a few day to the acclama-
tions Of the people of Bloemfo fontein and
permit the troops TO enjoy q few days
rest before expecting further success.
Lord Roberts made q quaint speech to
the guards at Bloemfontein when, in
his first con gratulatory words, he ex.
pressed pride III their splendid march Of
SO miles in go hours and gave ample as
surance Of his ultimate design.
s9 .s,I {. trough a small mistake, said
Lord Roberts, II have not been able to
march into Bloemfo fontein at the head Of
the brigade, as I intended. I promise
you, however, that I will lead you into
Pretoria u y ;Ss 4.
General Gataore is holding Bethnlie
and the whole line Of the railroad south
.of Bloenfcntein is now in the hands Of
the British, and General Brabant' s
column has crossed the Orange river
after forced march at Aliwal North,
on Sunday, and General CleHcent's IS coll
umn began to cross atesdaA Eyll, the
three columns Will form an army Of
15, 900 to %, 600 rnen, which is expected
to replacs the forces of Lord Roberts at
sB1oemfontein as he pushes north
Just where the Beers Will attempt to
oppose that march is an important
question, but it cannot be easily an
swered until General Jonbert is more
definitely located. Further news has
reached the outside world from Mafek-
ing, dated Friday, March 8, showing
that though the garrison was in hard
straits, they were buoyed up by the
knowledge that their plucky fight was
appreciated at home.
5s53 Prettyman as Governor.
General Prettyman is succeeding ad-
fnirably as governor Of Bloemfontein.
He has Issued proc clamation requesting
the burghers within a radius Of ten.
miles to. deliver up their arms, assuring
them that they would be paid for the
confiscation of their property. s ..S
Lord Roberts is about to issue fresh
proclamations, which, it is considered, j,
viii have the effect Of disarming fur
ther opposition on the part Of the Free
Staters. 5$
Mr.. Ceilings has been appointed land
rost, vice Papph henfus, deposed, and Mr..
Fraser will act as mayor.
Great quantities Of stores captured at
WassrefaI have been recovered AS a
result of Hunter and Weston's Line CUT
ting the British have secured 26 engines,
and the line has been cleared to the
Kaffir river: 5Ss g$5.
Rumors are current that former Pres
ident Steyn is willing to surrender
Much unrest exists among the Dutch
popula lation. The burghers described
the soldiers as locusts, saying they are
innumerable and Of Identical color with
them.
General Roberts reports that he found
z British officers and 43 men wounded
Id the hospital at Bloemfo fontein, and
that they had been well cared for. He.
adds: III
rejoiced the wounded Beers by
telling them they viii be allowed to-
y,rocnaH ts, their homes nstaade eof 1,ri n a.