Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
TOWN WENT CRAZY
Stirring Scenes in London When Pre-
toria Fell.
THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Sir Walter Besant for an Anglo
Saxon Union.
WOMEN PHOTOG ERS
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


LONDON, June ), 1900
i We live in stirring times now in London.
Lord Roberts has given plenty of news
since he started on his victorious march
through Boerland-Ladysmith, Kimberley,
Bloemfontein, kroonstad Mafeking, Jo-
hannesburg and now Pretoria! Lord Ross
lyn, who reported the surrender of Pre-
toria for the Daily Mail, was only few
days premature. The real thing has come
today and everybody rejoices.
l was in Pail Mall, exactly opposite the
war office, at 1872 pm by the clock, and
saw man-the signalman of the war
offce-clamber along the steep roof to the
flagstaff which dominates the building.
Something's up, l said cheerfully to
my nearest neighbor, a jovial hanson cab
man See that chap bending the bunt-
ing"
Right you are, sir. 1 expect Pretoria's
up" he chuckled.
a small crowd quickly gathered. as usual
from nowhere; street cads, messenger boys
urgent" the fshmonger's boy, who had
dropped his tray and run DIP, and the lot
of US began to yell and shout at the man
at the flagstaff.
Let it fly there! what are you about?
Up goes the old rag!' and "Pretoria"' "Pre-
toria.' was tossed from tongue to tongue
as the flag flew out almost instantly amid
loud cheers
All clubland around, which was only
awaiting the signal, responded with run
ming up the colors.
"Pretorias took? Thank Gawd for that"
said woman on the pavement to her
friend.
my poor boy won't see It, though" was
the sad reply. He was shot at Colenso.
But thank God all the same!
THANK God Thank God!'' was the sen-
timent in every heart-a feeling far too
deeply seated and solemn for any wild.
| inv when MafGklng was
saved.
From dull quietude to enthusiastic
joy Pail Mall quickly evolved on the an
nouncement of the tidings from Pretoria.
The war office at once became a raliy1ng
point.
Crowds in the Streets.
The news there was not unexpected, and
directly Sir Ralph Knox personally made
the announcement the press representatives
rushed cheering into the street. which
quickly became impossible. Tremendous
cheering greeted the hosting of the union
jack, which ceremony was witnessed from
hundreds of windows in the vicinity.
The Carlton was the first club to run up
the flag after the war office had done so,
and then a rush was made for Marlborough
House and St. James Palace to witness the
scenes there. The crowds gradually fiocked
along to St. James street and at the other
end of Trafalgar Square. cheering and
waving hats, flags and handkerchiefS.
In the city crowds were hurrying along
past the Mansion House about their ordi-
nary business. Suddenly big poster was
hung out from one Of the lord mayors
windows.
The hurrying throng stopped and looked
up. What 1t read was this: 1.-THE British
flag flies in Pretoria"
Yes! the great news had come at last.
Then the people cheered. AS If by magic.
where before there had been a few hun
dreds there were cheering thousands. Flags
reared themselves over the sea Of top
,I.-k
hearsed before on Ladysmith and Mafeking
days was again performed on Pretoria day.
Patriotic Concert.
The huge crowd surged round to the side
and filed up the street opposite the lord
mayors window, and then began a great
patriotic concert with the Mansion House
people in the window above. First of all
there was God Save the Queen" with
every head barred, and then a great and
swelling chorus of Bow Bells sung by
the people as citizens of the capital Of
the newly extended empire. This was
again followed by Rule Britannia" and
more God Save the Queen" while all the
time the huge multitude was every moment
being added to by clerks and shop en-
ployes rushing bareheaded. most of them.
from Cheapside. Leadenhall street and all
the thoroughfares that lead to the bank.
The news spread rapidly all over London, |
and flags Immediately were spread to the |
breeze and bunting displayed.
The Joy was immense at Elton College. Of
whose former pupils nearly 1000 are serv- |
Ing in the army in South Africa, including |
Lord Roberts himself. Butler. Melhuen and |
nine major generals. The boys let them !
selves loose and kept high feast.
The government will be expected to state |
soon after parliament meets again what |
are Its plans for the settlement of South |
Africa The question has already become |
one Of active discussion, for. though the |
war may. in one form or other. linger on ]
for some time, the final result Is now be-