The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-06-08

Prisoners There in Good Condition.
London, June 5.-The war office this
morning issued the following dispatch
received from Lord Roberts:
six Miles Spruit, $50 p m, June f.
We started this morning at day
break, marched about ten miles TO Six
Miles Spruit, both banks OF which
were occupied by the enemy. Henry's
and Ross mounted infantry, with the
West Somerset, Dorset, Bedford, and
Sussex company of yeomanry quickly
dislodged them from the south bank
and pursued them nearly a mile, when
they found themselves under a heavy
fire from guns which the Beers had
placed in Well concealed command
ing position.
Our heavy guns of the naval and
royal artillery, which had purposely
been placed in the front part of the
column, We're hurried to the assistance
OF the mounted infantry as fast as oxen
and mules could travel over the great
rolling nils surrounding Pretoria. The
guns We're supported by Stevens bri-
gade OF POle-Carews division, and
after few rounds drove the enemy
from their positions.
The Beers then attempted to turn
our left flank. in which they were
again foiled by the mounted infantry
and yeomanry, supported by Maxwelrs
brigade of fuckers division. AS, how
ever, they still kept pressing our left
rear, sent word to Ian Hamilton, who
was advancing three miles to our left,
to incline toward us to fill up the gap
rhp fyx-A nn1r ic fv,n
checked the enemy, who were driven
back toward Pretoria. l hoped We
would have been able to follow them
up, but the days now are very short
in this part of the world, and after
nearly two hours marching and fight
ing, We had to bivouac on the ground
gained during the day.
THE guards brigade is quite near the
southernmost fort by which Pretoria
is defended and less than four miles
from the town. French, with the Third
and Fourth cavalry brigades, and
Hutton's New South Wales mounted
rifles, are north Of Pretoria. Broad
woods brigade is between French's
and Hamilton's columns and Gordon
is watching the right flank of the main
force at Irene station. which was de-
stroyed by the enemy. Our casualties,
I hope, were very few
THE PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER.
London, June 5.-11:07 p. m.-The
war office has received the following
from Lord Roberts:
Pretoria, June 5, 155 p. m.
Just before dark yesterday the
enemy We're beaten back from nearly
all the positions they had been holding
and Ian Ramilton'S mounted infantry
followed them to within 200 yards Of
Pretoria. through which they retreat
ed hastily.
DE Lisle then sent an officer with a
flag of truce into the town, demanding
its surrender in my name. Shortly be-
fore midnight / was awakened by two
officials Of the South African republic,
Sandberg, military secretary to Com
mandant General Botha, and general
ofhcer OF the Boer army, who brought
me letter from Botha proposing an
armistice for the furtherance of set
ting the terms of surrender.
Il replied that 1 would gladly meet
the commandant general the next
morning, but that l was not prepared
to discuss any terms, as the surrender
| of the town must be unconditional.
asked for reply by daybreak, as 1
had ordered the troops to march on
the town as soon as it was light.
I'm his reply Botha told me that he
had decided not to defend Pretoria and
that he trusted the women, children
and property would be protected.
AT 1 o'clock a. m. today, while or
the line of march I was met by three
| of the principal officials with a flag of
| truce, stating their wish to surrender
the town.
1t was arranged that Pretoria should
| be taken possession of by her majesty s
| troops at o'clock this afternoon.
Mrs. Botha and Mrs. Kruger are both
| in Pretoria. Some few of the British
prisoners have been taken away, but
| the majority are still at Waterfall. Over
| 100 Of the officers are in Pretoria. The
few l have seen are looking WELL
PRETORIA SURRENDERS.
London, June 5.-12:47 p. m.-The war
| office has issued the following dispatch
| from Lord Roberts:
| Pretoria, June 5.-11:4O a. m.-We
| are now in possession of Pretoria. The
official entry will be made this after.
noon at 2 o'clock"
| AT o'clock this afternoon, almost
| eight months after the declaration OF
| war, Lord Roberts entered Pretoria
| While the commander-in-chie of tn,
| greatest army Great Britain ever pu
in the field was fulfilling the promise
| he made to the Guards at Bloemfon.
| tein, to lead them into the capital O.
the Transvaal, England was celebrat
| ing the event with wild enthusiasm
| Throughout the length and breadth o
| the country the news spread like wild
| fire. Based on the recollection of recen
| European wars, when the occupation
of the enemy's capital signified the enc
of hostilities, Lord Roberts terse tele
| gram was taken to mean the practica
| finish of the war which has tried Grea
| Britain's resources as they were neve
tried before. In London, the Mansion
house and the war office almost stimuli
taneously became the centers for jubi
liant throngs. Flags again appeared a
if by magic and traffic had to be de
waited through the streets. Joyfu
throngs thundered cheers and san
God Save the Queen Hats hoiste,
from thousands of heads were wave
in exultant hands and shimmered lik
a coal bed in the sun.
The pressure of General French mort
of the Boer capital came as sur
prise. 1t was evident that Lord Rob
erts delayed attacking until all his col
umns were ready to cooperate.
, / Judging from Lord Roberts phrase
ology the occupation Of Pretoria wa
not accompanied by any loss of life
What has happened to the Boer force
which so insistently opposed the Brit
Il