The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-06-14
The WAR IS OVER.
British Occupy Pretoria Without
Resistance.
ROBERTS ENTRY not OPPOSED.
General Botha Sends Out Letter Pro.
posing an Armlstice-Grezt Rejoic.
Ing in All Parts of England.

London, By Cable-At 2 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon. almost eight
months after the declaration of war,
Lord Roberts entered Pretoria. While
the commander-in-chief of the greatest
army Great Britain ever put in the
field was fulfilling the promise he
made to the Guards at Bloemfontein,
to lead them into the capital of the
Transvaal, England was celebrating
the event with wild enthusiasm.
Throughout the length and breadth OF
the country the news spread like wild
fire. Based on the recollection of re-
cent European wars, when the occupa-
ton Of the enemy's capital signified
the end of hostilities, Lord Roberts
terse telegram was universally taken
to mean the practical finish Of the war
which has tried Britians military re-
sources as they were never tried be-
fore. The War Office became the CEN
ire for the celebration. Joyful throngs
thundered cheers and sang, God Save
the Queen" Hats hoisted from thou
sands Of heads were waved in exultant
hands and shimmered like coal bed
in tn sun. Lord Roberts Six Miles
Spruit dispatch was hardly printed by
the extras" before the Union Jack Of
tie War Office was hauled up the flag
staff and the brief message was passed
from mouth to mouth: Pretoria is oc-
cupied." The pressure of General
French north Of the Boer capital came
as a surprise and explained the COM
mander-in-chiefs retriever anent the
position of the energetic cavalry lead
er. 1t We evident that Lord Roberts
delayed attacking until all his columns
were ready to cooperate.
Judging from Lord Roberts
phraseology the occupation Of Pre-
toria was not accompanied by any loss
of life. What has happened to the
Boer forces, which so insistently op-
posed the British advance at Six
Miles Spruit can only be surmised. But
presumably, they have got away for
the present at any rate. The latest
press dispatches from representative
of the Associated Press at Pretoria,
dated June 8, quotes General Botha as
saying:
"So-long as we can still count on cur
thousands of willing men, we must
not dream OF retreat or throwing away
our independence
General Botha, it is added, annulled
the regulations appointing a special
committee to preserve order, substitut-
ing military control for that Of the
committee. General Lucas Meyer, ad-
dressing the burghers on the church
square, urged them all to stand fast.
Thus though their efforts were pitt
fully futile, it is evident that the faith
full Beers worked desperately to resist
the overwhelming force OF Lord Rob-
ertS army.
The War Office has information that
one of the first things done by Lord
Roberts after the occupation of Pre-
toria was to direct General French to
relieve the British prisoners confined
at Waterfall. Bells were rung, flags
were flown and holidays were declared
all over England. The Lord Mayor OF
London was calbed to Lord Roberts as
follows:
The empire will never forget what
you and the forces under your COM
mand have accomplished. Accept the
grateful congratulations of the citl-
zens Of London"