The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-18
END OF THE WAR SEEMS NEAR.
NATAL VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN
SENT To THEIR HOMES.

Division of Regular Troops May
Soon BE Sent From south Africa
to China-Boer Account of the
Fighting East of PretOria-BOers
Sny British Troops Arc short OF
FoOd-PrcparinE for Final stand
in LydenburG District.
London, June IS. 4:9O a. m.-There are
some indications that Lord Roberts con-
siders the end of the struggle in South
Africa not far distant One of these is
the fact that the Natal Volunteers. who
had seen hard service, were dismissed to
their homes by Sir Redvers Butler Sat-
urday. They were cheered as they left
his camp.
Another indication Is the report current
cles in London that a complete division
of regulars is to be withdrawn from Gen
Buffers army and embarked at Durham
for China. The troops drawn from India
probably will go next.
Lord Roberts let yesterday go by with
out telegraphing.
The correspondents at headquarters are,
as they have been for ten days. silent.
Unofficial intelligence from Machado-
dorp. via Lorenzo Marquee. is to the effect
that the British troops are near Middle
burg The Boer narrative Of the fight
ing east of Pretoria, posted on bulle-
tin board outside of President Kruger's
car, at Machadodorp. ran thus:
why the Beers Retired.
'The commanders east of Pretoria, In
the direction of Bronkhorst spruit, were
compelled to retire after a fierce stand
Of more than two days, in a way that
won the admiration of the acting com
mano art general The short rifle fire
was very hot and for part of the second
day. especially late in the afternoon, the
enemy fought at distance of 100 yards
Our loss cannot be given yet. The act
ing commandant general only mentions
Field Cornet Jan Van Buren, killed. He
was one of the pluckiest men in the feld
Information is again at hand regard
ing the miserable condition of the enemy S
troops that have penetrated to Johannes
burg and Pretoria. They continually COM
plain of the lack of food Several British
soldiers have died in the streets of Pre-
toria of exhaustion and starvation. Along
the roads lie the corpses of horses and
mules. while living animals are so weak
that they are hardly able to carry their
loads"
Another bulletin at Machadodorp, ac-
cordirg TO dispatch dated June Is, says:
Fifteen officers and so British soldiers,
prisoners, have arrived at Standerton,
Free State, bound for Nooit Gedacht.
Thirty burghers were killed and wounded
during the last few days lighting near
Pretoria"
Steyn's Proclamation.
Mr.. Steyn, in consequence of Lord Rob-
erts annexation of the Free State by proc
lamation, has issued a counter proclama-
ton declaring that the Free State still ex-
lists, is Independent, and does not acknowl-
edge the authority of Great Britain.
The British prisoners at Nooit Gedacht
have been having exciting games of foot
ball to keep themselves warm. They are,
according to a dispatch from Lorenzo
Marques without shelter or medical COM
forts and are confined between two noun
tains, where the sun does not shine until
$50 a. m.
Delagoa Bay merchants are rushing
goods towards Machadodorp, the Boer ex-
pectatton being that the use of the rail-
way will soon be lost and that the prepa-
rations fo- final stand in the Lydenburg
Gf ha