The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-03
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Spenser Wilkinson Thinks Robert.
May BE in Front of Pretoria.

M8y ne IN front Oh Pretoria.
LONDON, June dispenser Wilkinson re-
viewing the events of the week in South
Africa for the Associated Press said: 1.-The
situation can clearly be understood IL we
In the first instance neglect the Pretoria
kilograms. Lord Roberts advanced from the
Vaal in two columns, he himself with the
main body. following the line OF the rail-
way. and Generals French and Hamilton
keeping pace with him short march to the
left and slightly in advance.
"On Monday night General Roberts was
at Kip river station, the left wing column
being south of Kip river berg. The Beers
retreated before General Roberts, but re-
sisted the left wing.
ION Tuesday night General Roberts was
at Germiston and the left wing near Flor
ida, just west of Johannesburg.
"on Wednesday morning General Roberts
summoned Johannesburg and agreed to
give twenty-four hours delay before enter
ing the town, which, however, he surround
ed with troops. Generals French and HAM
ilton were kept away from the town and
pushed forward.
"On Thursday General Roberts entered
johannesburg and made a formal occupa-
tion- He held review of two divisions.
and then, leaving brigade to garrison the
town. he put his main body into camp to
the north of the Pretoria road on Friday
morning. AT that time French and Hamil-
ton were well forward toward Pretoria.
Very likely General French was east of the
railway. and the remainder of the army
within two easy marches of the Boer capt.
tai
Meantime Lord Roberts's communica-
tions were well covered and the Free State
forces were receiving punishment. On
Tuesday General Rumble defeated the Free
Staters near Senekal and received rein
forcements from the Third Brigade. On
the same day the Highland Brigade. which
had marched north from Ventersburg, en-
tered Heilbron.
"On Thursday the Free Staters near
Ffcksburg were reported from Maseru to
have been surrounded by Generals Brabant
and Rumble. which proves that General
Brabant has an infantry brigade, which.
though not BUNDLES may be Chermside's.
"Now. as to Pretoria. On Wednesday
President Kruger left. The Boer troops
were dismissed from the forts at Pretoria
and the town resolved to surrender and
made its arrangements. The burghers were
in a panic and believed that Roberts was
close at hand. These facts were tele-
graphed here by two Independent witnesses
"Our news OF Lord Roberts was twenty
four hours old, and there was nothing
improbable in his troops being where Pre-
toria reported them to be. Therefore we
were ready to believe that Pretoria would
be occupied on Thursday. Now it is clear
that Pretoria kilograms expected the occu-
patton two or three days too soon.
General Roberts must now be before
Pretoria, but the evidence is not sufficient
20 enable US to judge whether he has met
serious resistance. There might be slight
difficulty IL the Beers have reoccupied the
forts. but in all probability the entry into
Pretoria will not be long delayed. The
Boer military power is now completely
broken and the war practically is over, al
though the complete occupation of the
country will take some time and probably
Will be delayed b. many guerrilla bands.
President Kruger may form a band at
Lydenberg, which. however, can do no
great harm. as General Butler will move
up to the Delagoa bay railway and stop
Kruger's supplies. So soon as the British
have all the railways flying columns will
quickly make an end 10 all great opposition
and the Lydenburg region can be dealt
with at leisure"