The National tribune., 1900-06-07
WAR IN AFRICA.
Capture Of Jciannesburg-The March on
Pretoria.

The British march continued so rapidly,
although with several conflicts, that it be-
came evident the first of last week that
Johannesburg would be taken very soon.
The character of Roberts's movements and
the unwonted mobility of the whole Brit
sh army under him upset the calculations
of the military critics. Apparently the
British drag net was being drawn through
the Transvaal as it was in a similar man
ner hauled through the Free State, judg
ing from the reports Of successful encoun-
ters on the fianks.
Meantime the Orange Free State was
declared annexed on May % with con-
siderable ceremony.
1t was announced on May 80 that Kru-
ger and his Executive Council had fled
from Pretoria and that the city's forts
had been evacuated. The Boers's general
retrograde movements were accelerated by
this news.
Roberts at this time had reached almost
to Johannesburg, after some sharp though
unimportant fighting.
Roberts reported as follows, regarding
the situation, on May 80, from Germiston:
"In answer to flag of truce which /
sent to Johannesburg this morning the
me to defer entering the town for "A
hours, as there were many armed burgh-
ers still inside. / agreed to this, as l am
most anxious to avert he possibility of
anything like disturbance inside the town,
and as bodies of the army are still hold
iEg the hills in the immediate reighbOr-
hood, from which they will have To be
cleared off beforehand.
1.-The brunt of the fighting yesterday fell
upon Ian Hamilton's column. / sent him
tC work around to the west of Johannes
burg, in support of ffencL's cavalry,
which was directed to 80 north near the
road leading to Pretoria. Hamilton in
report states that at about / o'clock in
the ate rnOOn he found his way blocked
Dy the enemy, strongly rcstcd "n some
lopjes and ridges three miles south of the
Rand. They had two heavy guns AMI sew
rral field guns and pOm2oms. Hamilton
forthwith attacked.
'"The right was led by the Gordons,
who, after capturing one extremity Of the
idge, wheeled around and worked along it
until after dark, clearing it of the enemy,
Who fought most obStinately. The 10Th
Cd on the other flank and would not be
lenied, but the chief share in the action,
is in the casualties, fell to the Gordons,
whose gallant advance excited the admira-
ton of all.
Hamilton is now at Florida, due west
Of Johannesburg, and French is few
niles 1urtner TO the northeast. Inc GOr-
Ions, the cavalry, the mounted infantry
and the Seventh Division are nolding tie
nights of the town. The Eleventh Divis-
ion, with Batteries II and G and the heavy
artillery, are south CT Johannesburg
Johannesburg was surrendered at about
noon, May 81, by Commandant kIausa.
The occupation of Johannesburg pissed
IF quite satisfactorily, Lord Roberts
abled. DIR. Krausc, the Boer Command
mt, met Roberts upon his entrance and
ode with him to the Government Offices,
where the British Commarder was intro
luced 10 the heads of the several depart
ments, all OF whom acceded to the request
that they continue to carry out their re
,pcctive duties until they could be relieved
IF them. Roberts was accompanied only
by small force during this time. Then
he General held review Of two divisions,
| and leaving a brigade to garrison the
| town, put his main force out on the road
leading to Pretoria. Kruger had left Pre-
toria on Wednesday. Meantime there was
| fighting by Buffers forces in several parts
| IF the Free State.
As we go to press the British are about
| to make the final march to Pretoria.