The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-30
~ SOTTH AFRICA.

There are no details yet OF the fighting re-
ported by Lord Roberts in hs despatch o, Mon
dav, but the latest news makes 1t appear that
the Beers may have withdrawn altogether
from Johannesburg and neighborhood, as a
despatch from Lord Roberts states that he
intended taking possession to-day after sum-
moning the commandant TO surrender. There
being no mention of any destruction of mining
property. IL is to be presumed that the
mines have been left intact. whether be-
cause there was no time to destroy them or
with the idea of placating the powerful mining
interests, will he known later. What the next
phase OF the situation will be is still uncertain.
the reports during the past few days concern
Ing the sentiment prevailing at Pretoria being
conflicting. THE SrN correspondent there, tele-
graphing on Monday via Lorenzo Marques.
states that the Beers have ceased TO offer fur
Their resistance to the British advance, and
that there il reason to believe that negot'a-
lions for peace would be opened If they
have not already been. Final inquiries had
been made by The Transvaal Government OF It's
agents in Europe on the day previous. Sunday.
asking whether help might be hoped for from
their friends abroad, II they are sttll expect
ing material assistance. they cannot but be
disapI ointed. for il IA morally certain none Of
| the Europeans Governments will intervene In
their behalf,
The proclamation issued by Lord Roberts on
Sunday, declaring the Free State annexed with
the title of the Orange River State, places the
commandos still in arms in that territory. ac-
c riding TO British practice. technically in a con-
dltion of rebellion, subject no longer to the
ordinary rnles of war. but liable to punishment
as rebels. They have now only the alternative
OF marching into the Transvaal IL Its Govern
ment decides to continue its resistance and 80
forfeiting their properties, or making their sub
mission. If they decide on the latter, continued
resistance to Zen. Buffers advance at Laings
Mex on the part of the Transvanlers becomes
futile, as the DrakensberR passes would be
opened and the Boer positions, already threat
ened BY the occupation of johannesburg. would
become untenable. The next news from Natal
will. therefore. probably tell Of the retreat OF
the Boer forces opposite Gen Butler to Ermelo
due north Of volksrist and from there to some
point on the railway between Pretoria and Del
agoa Bay.
Now that the British are In Johannesburg
the occupation OF Zeerust and other places on
the roads from Mafeking and vryburg has no
military importance, The country Immediately
north of the vaal between Fourteen Streams
hUu JOHANNESBURG hhS btrH pItttN We'll stTlDDfO
of its able-bodied population. the most Of the
prisoners taken with Gen. Cronje at Paarde-
berg having belonged to the commands raised
In the Christiana, B%loemhof. Potohefstroom
and Klerksdorp districts. so that there will be
no obstacle to its occupation and paciA cation.
The British casualty list up TO May - shows
s57 officers and syo2s rank and file killed in ac-
ton and died Of wounds and disease. eeO officers
and 0.44O men wounded, 1871 officers and Ass
men prisoners and missing; and "a men acci-
dentaIly killed Total. l.22s officers and 10, oso
rank and file. Invalided to England exclusive
Of wounded. 40 Officers and 7, 2Oa rank and file.
Total estimated casualties to that date includ-
ing non-combatants with the army and civilians
in besieged towns, 48,727.
The report sent by THE SIN London CORE
spondent that Lord Roberts has been asked
whether he can release 100. 900 Of his troops for
r"turn to England before Oct. l., is significant
in view Of the situation In tho Far East and in
the Mediterranean