The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-03-28
BLOEMFONTBLN TAKEN.
Free State officials Hand the City
Keys TO General Roberts.
TROOPS GIVEN WARM WELCOME

Geueral Roberts Refers to Steyn as ih'
.Iate Presidcni"-The Orange Frce
state Government Has Ceased TO Exisi
The Hoer Army Has withdraw TO
tho Sorth-The Surrender o; the City.
LONDON CBy Cable).-General Roberts en-.
tered Bloemfontein on Tuesday, and the
British flag was run up over the Presidency
OF the Orange Free State. He announced
that the Orange Free State Government nag
ceased to exist. The Mayor and other OIL
ciaIs met General Roberts outside the toWp
and presented to him the keys OF the pub
lie offices. The Inhabitants gave the Brit
ish troops cordial welcome.
The following Is the text OF Lord Rob-
ertss dispatch to the War Oalce announc
ing the occupations:
"EIoEMFoypElS, Orange Free Stately
the help OF God and by the bravery OF nei
Majesty's soldiers tue troops under my
command have taken possession OF Bloetu'
fontetn. The British flag now fies over
the Presidency, evacuated last eVen'
Ing by Mr.. Steyn, late. President OF the
Orange Free state. Mr.. FraZer, member
OF Ino Iate C4CCullNC
Mayor, the Secretary to the late Govern
ment. tho LaulroSt, and other onclais
met me two miles from the town and pre-
sented me with the keys OF the pupilc OF
fees.
"The enemy havo withdrawn from the
ne;ghborhood, and all seems quiet. Inc
Inhabitants OF ofBloemfontsin gave the troops
a cordial welcome"
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
Bloeufonteiu, dated TUesaay evening
says: ,.,o,
"Bloemfontein surrendered at 10 o,ciocs
to-day. It was occupied at noon. Prest'
dent Steyn, with maj ority OF the lighting
burghers, has fed northward.
General French was within Ave miles OF
the place ut O'Clock Monday afternoon.
Hesent summons into the town, threat'
enirg to lombard unless it surrendered by
IA, m. Tuesday. A white flag was holsted
Tuesday morning, and deputation OF the
Town Council, with Mayor Kellner, came
out to meet Lord Roberts ut Spttz kop, hVs
miles south Of the town, making lorna!
surrender OF the place.
Lord Roberts made a state entry at
noon. He received tremendous ovation.
Afte- visiting the public buildings, ne wen'
10 she official residence OF the PRESIDENT,
followed by cheering crowd, who waYeu
tho British flag and sang the British ma
OF frenzed excitement.
"On Monday afternoon, previous to the
surrender, there had been little sntping
and sheIling, but the enemy then retired.
Lord Roberts has his headquarters Mt
the Presidents house, and there are many
OF the British wounded in the building.
The railway is not injured
A dispatch to the d ally Mail from Bloem
fonteln,. dated Tuesday evening, at
o'clock, says:
1--WE surprised and outflanked the enemy
with irresistible force over night. General
French held the railway north auo south
Of Bloemfontein, while Lord Roberts dis
patched prisoner on parole, threatening
to lombard unless the city surrendered.
The townsnen became alarmed. President
Stcyn and the chief members Of the Execu-
tive Council fled and proclaimed kroon-
stadt to be the capital.
.'Steyn aed to WinburG. At tho last
only 5000 fighting men remained, and 10
the morning many, finding themselves so
weakened, broke their guns. Others fed.
The remnant still shelled General French
d.. at dawn, but the opposition soon col
I ,lapsed.
. :tEieht locomotives and much rolling
stock were captured. The Boer orSaniza-
tion is coilapsing. and the breach between
the Free Staters and TransYaalers is Wild
ening.
"NIajor- General Prettyman has been ap-
pointed Military Governor OF Bloemfon-
tein. Lord Roberts and his staff have rid
den through the town and been everywhere
cheered. The British national anthem Is
enthusiastically eunS by the population,
the shops are gladly opening, anu there Is