Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-05-25
LORDROBERTS' ADVANCE
HIS TROOPS DRAWING NEAR THE
FRONTIER OF THE.
The BOcrs Retir Toward the vaal
With Their Heavy BRggRge-Pre-
tOrfa Said 10 be Able to stand q
Years Siege-The Fighting Before
the Relief IF Nafeking Was Terrific

London, May 24.-:S0 a. m.-Lor6
Roberts is drawing near to the from
tier of the Transvaal His infantry
masses are thirty three miles north Of
Kroonstad, at the Rhonester river
Some thousands of cavalry are already
across the river. The Beers are retir-
ing toward the Vaal with their heavy
baggage. They are reported fr om Pre-
toria as already across that river.
Twelve thousand men and four guns
compose the retreating army. Trains
continue to run from Veronniging, at
the Vaal, to Pretoria Foreign engi-
neers assert that Pretoria is able to
stand a years siege.
The Boer forces continue to dwindle,
some correspondents asserting that
only about twenty-four thousand of the
hardest fighters yet remain.
1t was announced at Pretoria Sunday,
that the government purposed renov-
ing the British prisoners from Pre-
toria. Lady Sarah Wilson cables: THE
fighting before the relief was very
hard. A severe struggle proceeded yes
terday (May 16) from D. m, until
dusk. The Beers were forced slowly to
retreat, contesting every inch. At sun
set, they still held the last position.
Colonel Mahon entered the town in
the brilliant moonlight. The Beers were
as tired out as we were, and they never
guessed that an attempt would be made
to force an entry before morning
Therefore their surprise was COM
plete. They deserted their laag-
ers, leaving lot Of food which
was divided up among the peo-
pie Of Mafeking."
DIR. Leyds, according to the brussels
correspondent of the Daily Express.
has quarreled with the Transvaal Gcv-
eminent. A representative Of President
Kruger is alleged to have demanded an
accounting respecting (pounds) 500, 900
($2, 500, ,000) that has passed through Dr.
Leyds' hands. DR.. Leyds is said to have
replied that the money had all been
expended and to have expressed in
dignation when asked for an itemtzed
statement.
London, May 24-The Lorenzo Mar
Ques correspondent Of the Times says:
Mrs. ReitZ, wife of the Transvaal
State Secretary, and her children have
gone to Europe on the Bundesrath,
which is believed to have taken a large
quantity Of bullion, and possibly sew
eral important BOer politicians.
London, May 23.-The War Office late
this evening, published the following
from Lord Roberts:
South Bank of the Rhenoster river
May %, 1870 p. m. We found on arrival
here this morning that the enemy had
fled during the night. They had occu-
pied a strong position on the north bank
of the river which had been carefully
entrenched but they did not think it
advisable to defend it, when they heard
that Ian Hamiltons force was at He'll
bron and that our cavalry, which had
er down the stream. were threatening
their right and rear. The bridge over
the Rhenoster, several culverts and
ed. Ian HamiltOn's force drove the
Beers under Ret de Wet before them
from Lindley to Heilbron. The passage
of the Rhenoster was strongly disput-
ed. Our loss might have been heavy,
but for a we'll concerted plan which
brought Smith DOrrien's brigade on the
enemy's flank just at the right moment.
s~1r officer com nanding at BoshOf
reports that upwards of $50 Free Stat
ers have surrendered during the last
few days, and that they have given up
$50 rifles 100 horses and large amount
of ammunition.
kelly Kenny reports that three COM
panies of YeOmanry who were sent 70
repair the telegraph line and to clear
the country between Bloemfontein and
Boshof, have returned to Bloemfon-
tein, having performed the duty eX-
ceedingly we'll"