The age-herald., 1900-06-03
SPENCER WILKINSON
Believes Pretoria Will Soon Be Occupied
 By the British

London, June 3.-Spencer Wilkinson, re- viewing the events of the week in South Africa for the Associated Press says:
 The situation can clearly be understood if we in the first instance neglect the Pre- toria telegrams. Lord Roberts advanced from the Vaal in two columns, he himself with the main body following the line of railway, and Generals French and Hamil- ton keeping pace with him a short march to the left and slightly in advance.
 "On Monday night General Roberts was at Kip river station, the left wing being south of Kip Riversberg. The Boers re- treated before General Roberts, but resist ed the left wing.
 On Monday night General Roberts was at Germiston, and the left wing near Florida, just west of Johannesburg
 Wednesday morning General Roberts surrounded Johannesburg and agreed to give twenty-four hours delay before enter ing the town, which, however, he sur rounded with troops
 Generals French and Hamilton were kept away from the town and pushed for ward.
 "On Thursday General Roberts entered Joannesburg and made formal occupa- tion He held a review of two divisions and then leaving a brigade to garrison the town he put his main body into camp to
 
 morning. At that time French and Hamil- ton were well forward toward Pretoria. Very likely General French was east of the railway and the remainder of the army within two days march of the Boer capi- tai.
 Meanwhile Lord Roberts communica- tions were well covered and the Free State forces were receiving punishment. On Tuesday General Rundle defeated the Free Staters near Senekal and received re-
 
 the same day the Highland brigade which had marched north from Ventersburg en- tered Hebron.
 'On Thursday the Free Staters near Ficksburg were reported from Maseru to have been surrounded by Generals Brabant and Rundle, which proved that General Brabant has an infantry brigade which, though not Bundles, may be Chermsides.
 Now, to Pretoria. On Wednesday Pres- ident Kruger left. The Boer troops were dismissed from the forts at Pretoria and the town resolved to surrender and made panic and believed that Roberts was close at hand. These facts were telegraphed here by two independent witnesses
 Our news of Lord Roberts was twenty four hours old, and there was nothing improbable in his troops being where Pre- toria reported them to be. Therefore we were ready to believe that Pretoria would be occupied on Thursday. Now 1t Is clear that the Pretoria telegrams expected the occupation two three days too soon. General Roberts must now be before Pre- toria, but the evidence is not sufficient to enable us to judge whether he has met serious resistance.
 There might be slight difficulty If the Boers have re-occupied the forts, but in all probability the entry into Pretoria will not be long delayed. The Boer military power is now completely broken and the war practically is over, although the com- plete occupation of the country will take some time and probably will be delayed by many guerilla bands.
 President Kruger may form a band at Lydenberg which, however. can do no great harm, as General Butler will move