Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-15
GEN. ROBERTS, REPORT.
Refers to >teyn as ssInte Presiden,
of Free state.-Capturc of Bloem-

OF Free States-Capturc of Bloeln-
fontcin.
London, March 15.-The British flag
is flying over the executive mansion at
Bloenfontein. President Steyn fed
twenty -four hours before Lord Roberts
entered the town. The Communicating
chief was formally presented with the
keys of the public offices and several
officers of the republican government
met Lord Roberts two miles outside of
the capital and made ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of the authority of the British general.
Lord Roberts in his report does not
neglect to designate Steyn as THE late
president of the late republican gov
eminent. The hero of kandahar APP
pears To have interpreted Lord Sails
bury's reply To tho presidents in the
spirit in which it was written.
1t is taken for granted in London
that the Orange Free State as a politi-
cal individuality Will exist henceforth
only in history. 1t is also taken for
granted that a like fate mpends in the
case OF the Transvaal
Lord Roberts announced his occupa-
tion of Bloemfontein in the following
dispatch:
%.
p. nl.-By the help of God and by the
bravery of her majesty's soldiers the
troops under my command have taken
possession of Bloemfontein. The Brit
ish flag now flies over the presidency.
evacuated last evening by Mr.. Steyn.
late president of the Orange Free State.
Mr. Fraser, member of the late execu-
tive government. the mayor. the sec
retary To the late government. the
landrost and other officials met me two
miles from the town and presented me
with the keys of the public offices. The
enemy have Withdrawn from the neigh
borhood and all seems quiet. The I'M
hahltants OF Bloemfontein gave the
troops a cordial welcome
Lord Roberts dispatch has produced
u feeling of profound relief il little in
the way of demonstration IT has been
anxiousiy awaited for many hours and
apprehension steadily was becoming
grsater that another battle like that Of
Dmefontein might possibly be in prog
ress. Gen. French had occupied tlie
hills commanding Bloemfontein railway
station Monday night and early Tues
dag morning Lord RoDer,s Was only
eighteen miles away. II was expected.
Therefore. that the commander in chief
would reach his destination consdera-
bly, sooner than he did. i seems that
his dispatch WAS dated Tuesday. March
II, p. M. 50 it is supposed that it WAS
delayed in transmission and that the
victorious army actually entered Bioen-
fontein al a late hour Tuesday.
Il is supposed that Great Britain will
at once organize a government In the
Orange Free State. and it is suggested
already that Gen Si, George Stewart
1t is reported that President Steyn
has shifted the seat Of the Orange Free
state government to kroonstfad. and it
is regarded as assured that the Beers,
in etirng from Bloemfontein went in a
northerly- direction. Lord Roberts uii-
douptedly viii start in pursuit without
delay. In that case there is some slight
apprehension here lest the Beers swoop
down from The north and attack the
British line of communications
Conflicting stories are in circulation
regarding Mafeking. Among other re-
ports is one that Col Plumer has man
aged To get wagon load of provisions
into the town while dlverting the Beers
attention.
The British forces have crossed the
Orange river at Aliwal north. and are
making progressiat other points in that
section. In Natal everything Seemingly
is quiet. the Beers holding their position
in the Biggars. re- rang.