Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-17
Lord Roberts Rapidly Getting into
Position to Begin it. "a
ONLY POINT FOR ANXIETY
Tho Situation of NIarcklng May be Relieved
I'm Few Days Tho Attitude of tho
Powers is satisfactory to Great Britain
The Beers Succeed In Getting wagons
ana Military Stores out of IsloomfonteIn
Before its FAN England Pins It's Faith
to Roberts.
(By Telegraph to vlrginian-Pilot.)

London, March 17.-4:2o q. m.-N'ilh
the railway communication to the Cape
intact, Lord Roberts will in a very
few days be In n position to begin the
advance on Pretoria. His deep politi-
cal intuition, combined with his bold
strategy, is having the result desired
In the southern sections of the Orange
Free State, which are rapidly calm
ing down.
ANXIOUS FOR MAFEKING.
Mafeking Is now the only point for
anxiety and it is known that a force
has left Kimberley. its relief may be
announced before many days pass. The
efficiency of the relieving column is
heightened by the fact that it is partly
composed of regulars.
In the Hobbies OF Pertinent last
evening it was rumored that Lord Rob
ertS Is about to issue a proclamation
announcing that the former system of
government in the Orange Free State
is abolished and promising Free iStaters
VINO Immediately surrender due consid-
Grafton.
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.
1t is understood that all the Cont.
mental powers with one exception. nm
compromisingly refused to intervene
Inc exception Is Russia whose replv
was couched in less firm Language. al
though, like the others, she declined
10 interfere. II is said that the Pope
was also appealed TO, but that he de-
ciined to do anything beyond writing
letter to the Queen, appealing to her
10 stop the further effusion Of blood.
IL. Leyds, efforts with King Leopold
The possibility OF the destruction Of
johannesburg is still discussed here.
Dut 1t Is believed that the French and
German shareholders would offer n
strong protest.
SURRENDER OF I3LOEAIFoNrE1N
The last advices respecting tho sur-
render OF Bloemfontein show that Tho
approach Of the British caused a stam-
pede. Thirteen trains, each composed
OF forty cars and all crammed with
Beers. hurried northward just before
the line was cut. Mr.. Steyn would
have been compelled to surrender: hui
he pretended that he was going to visit
one or the outposts, and at midnight
TOOK carriage. which was waiting FOR
him outside the town. and thus es-
capped. The Beers got the bulk of their
wagons and military stores away.
London. March 16-Lord Roberts has
sent the following dispatch to the War
Office:
Bloemfontein, Friday, March TO-
General Clements crossed the Orange
river yesterday. Repairs to the rail-
way bridge at Norval's Pont have COM
lnenced. and it will shortly be ready
for traffic General Pole-Carew tele-
graphs his arrival at Springfontein, so
that Bloemfontein now is practically
I'm rail communication with Cape Town.
My proclamation is already having an
excellent effect. Several hundred
Burghers have expressed their inten-
ton to surrender their arms and return
to their occupations.
The resident Commissioner OF Bas-
utoand reports that 500 Beers lately
arrived from Bloemfontcin, and that a
further contingent from Alwal North
was only waiting to know the terms OF
my proclamation to surrender. They
had refused to attend council at