The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-30
May Be Outside Preto
ria Friday.
Transvaal to Open Peace Nego-
tiati0ns.

London, May 30-3.39 a. m.-Lord Rob-
erts is bivouacking in the suburbs of
Johannesburg and intends to make vic
torious entry at noon today. Judging
from his despatch he must have private
information regarding the disposition OF
the garrison In the fort, rs he does not
seem to expect opposition. Lord Roberts s
cavalry have flowed on beyond Johannes
burg. A portion is understood to be at
Zuurfontein, seven miles north of
Johannesburg and within 20 miles Of
Pretoria.
Lord Roberts, although with a broken
bridge at Vereeniging and q wrecked
railway behind him, has somehow man.
aged to get forward sufficient supplies
for his large force.
As he has been able to do so much,
1t is considei q possible that he will be
outside Of Pretoria Friday. The rapidity
of his advance is thought an extraordi-
nary achievement, even by grudging con-
tinental critics.
The Beers, who were expected to fight
along the line of hills known as Klipriv
ersberg, abandoned the eastern end Of the
range, near Lord Roberts advance line;
but they stood their ground on the ex-
treme right near Van Wyck's Rust,
where they met Gen. French's turning
The fight continued all
day, and the result Is as yet mere con-
lecture. Probably the Boer rear guard
in keeping Gen. French off
L.. H. 49, <N(
johannesburg.
The Standard has the following advices
from Pretoria, under Mondays date,
1.-The Transvaal government has
opened, or is about to open, peace nego-
tiations. 1t has cabled a final inquiry to
its agents abroad asking whether any
hope exists Of aid.'
Without doubt the presence Of Lord
Roberts with 10000 men at johannesburg
will hasten the Transvaal's decision. De-
spatches from Lourenco Marquee yester-
lay describes President Kruger as way
sring, but demanding a guarantee that
he shall not be exiled to st. Helena.
The fighting burghers still continue to
iesert, and the total collapse of the Boer
military organization Is not far of. Mr..
Bennett Burleigh, wiring from Lord
headquarters at Vereeniging on
says:
''I doubt If President Kruger can mus |
.er 10, 900 men, as many Of the burghers
have gone to their homes.
The stauncher Beers are sending their |
with wagons and stores to the
district. Whether Pretoria |
will be defended is uncertain, although |
Pretoria message dated Sunday, pic |
ures the work of defending the capital
Is going on with "feverish activity"
Pretoria is situated in wilderness of |
lopjes and ranges and Is provided with
lefenses that require at least 20, 900 men
o manage them properly. There may
till be one hard nut for the British to
rack.
The last message out Of Pretoria is the
ollowing dated May 2S, and censored by
he Boer government:
"Krause, acting as special commandant
Il johannesburg, has issued circular
o the officials concerned, warning them
I the necessity of controlling the foreign
lement In the town and directing them
o resist all attempts to destroy property
r life meeting force by force"
The Netherlands Railway company
notified the authorities at Lou
enco Marquee that they must decline to
4ccept goods for delivery at Johannes
urg. Johannesburg kilograms are still
ccepted, subject to stoppage at Pretoria.