The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-16
.BURGRERS SURRENDER.
THEIR CAPITAL IN THE HANDS OF THE
BRITISH FORCES.
ORANGE FREE STATE NO MORE.
significance of General Roberts Des-
fgnatfon of the ''Late President and
Members OF the ''Late Government
Rejoicing in England - Kruger to
Fight to the Bitter End-Plumer Un-
able to Relieve Mafeking-Boer Pris-
onerS Sail for st. Helena.

oners Sail for st. Helena.
London, March 14.-The following is
the text of Lord Roberts dispatch to
the war office announcing his occupa-
tion of Bloemfontein:
"Bloemfontein, Tuesday, March 13.-
p. m.-By the help Of God and by
the bravery OF her majesty's soldiers,
the troops under my command have
| taken possession of Bloemfontein. The
British flag now floats over the pres
idency, evacuated last evening by Mr.
Steyn, late president of the Orange
Free State. Mr.. Frazer, member of
the late executive government; the
mayor, the secretary of the late gov
ernment, the landrost and other Off
clals met me two miles from the town
| and presented me with the keys of the
public offices. The enemy have with
drawn from the neighborhood and all
seems quiet. The inhabitants of Bloem-
fontein gave the troops a cordial well
come"
The above dispatch, though dated
Tuesday, was not received at the war
office until 1880 o'clock p. m. Wednes-
day. 1t was made public a few min
| utes before o'clock. The delay is at
tributed to the field telegraph not being
connected with BlOemfontein on Tues
day evening.
Lord Roberts dispatch caused a feel
ing of great relief. The absence of the
news, eagerly looked for, had provoked
some apprehension during the earlier
part of the day that the British had
met with check before Bloemfontein.
and anxious inquiries were made at
the war office and in the lobbies Of
parliament
EXCITEMENT OVER THE NEWS.
On the reception of the news, the
| queen at Windsor castle, the Prince of
Wales at Marlborough house, LORD
WolSeley and Others were Immediately
notified; but at 9 o'clock the war office
was almost deserted, the public having
given up hope Of further news until
tomorrow CThursday). The appearance
of the newspapers with tidings caused
great excitement along Pail Mall, at
the several clubs and in the west gen.
orally. Owing to the late hour, how
ever, there was NO demonstration ap-
preaching il the remoteSt degree those
which hera ided the surrender of Gen
eral Cronje and the relief of Lady
smith.
1t so happened that a torchlight pro-
cession, organized on an extensive
scale for the widows and orphans
fund, was parading South London with
bands and banners. This included a
body of uniformed men representing
the British field forces, the surrender
of Cronje and other inspiring incidents.
The route was hung with flags and
stands Were erected at numerous
points for spectators. Naturally the
appearance of the extra editions of the
evening papers created a furor of en-
thuslasm among the paraders, who
greeted the news with cheers and the
singing of the national anthem.
At Windsor the news was received
with much joy. Wherever Roberts
dispatch was read his reference to the
late" President Steyn and the late
executive was Immediately fastened
upon as highly significant.
The lord mayor announced the news
at a banquet to the masters of the city
companies which was in progress at the
Mansion house. 1t was received with
great cheering, the company rising and
singing God Save the Queen"
Manchester and Glasgow published
special editions, causing joyful de-
monStrationS in those cities.
Pretoria Tuesday, March ia dis
patch from Bloemfontein says that in
view of the military situation the seat
Of government may be removed to
Kroonstadt.
Commander Delarey's report of the
fight at Abrams kraal Saturday says
'"4he British We're estimated to num-
ber 10000 men. Their first assault was
repulsed. Only two Beers were wound
ed. The second assault was made on
the hills to the left of our position.
These hills were of great strategic i'm
portance. Approaching this, 1 and 300
men defended the position from 9
o'clock in the morning until sundown
The burghers fought like heroes and
three times repulSed masses of the
British, who kept relieving their tired
men Every attempt to storm was de-
feated. At sundown there were not fif-
ty yards between US. The British lost
heavily. No accurate returns of our
loss are available"
TO FIGHT TO THE END.
Pretoria, Monday, March IL, via
Lourenzo Marques, Tuesday, March 13.
Lord Saiisbury's reply to Presidents
Kruger and Steyn causes bitter disap-
pointment; and State Secretary Reitz
says it means that the war will have
to be fought to the bitter end.
New oYork, March IA dispatch
from President Kruger to The Even
ing Journal dated Pretoria, March 13,
p. m, via Berlin. says: THE burgh-
ers will only cease fighting with death |
Our forces are returning in good order |
to our line of defense on our own soil. |
The Natal campaign was longer in our |
favor than we expected. The British |
will never reach Pretoria. The burgh- |
ers, Steyn, Joubert and myself as well |
as all the others, are united. There are |
no differences. God help u.s."
PLUMER'S ADVANCE.
Labatsi, Thursday, March s.-Colo-
mel Plumer's force reached here Tues !
day, March 9Th. 1t is believed that only
single bridge southwark has been
destroyed and that otherwise the rail-