The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-05-30
WAR NEARING THE END.
Prediction that British Forces will
Occupy Pretoria June 10.
PASSAGE OF THE VAAL.
Lord Roberts with His Superiority of
Numbers will Drive Beers Out of
Every Defensive Position.

London, May 25.-Another advance
along the railroad toward Pretoria has
brought Lord Roberts troops to Vrede-
fort road, few miles north of Prospect,
where they arrived at noon Thursday.
In the meanwhile Gen. Methuen is pro-
crossing along the southern bank Of the
Naal river, with the object possibly Of
making dash at Klerksdorp when he ar
rives opposite that railroad terminus.
Gen. HuttOn's column is apparently in
the nelghborhood of Nredefort, fifteen
miles west of the railroad, whence 1t
threatens the Federals right flank.
The next couple of days ought to settle
whether Lord Roberts will encounter Sc
rlous opposition south of the Naal, but
the best opinion believes the next big en-
gagement will be fought just south Of
johannesburg, and that the fight there,
and possibly one at Laings Mex, will
prove the last pitched battles Of the war.
End of War Near.
London, May 25-The retreat of
Rotna's forces from the Rhenoster to the
Vaal serves to convince military men
that the end of the war is rapidly draw
ing near. This is without doubt the
official view, although nobody connected
with either the war office or the head
quarters staff is willing to be quoted to
that effect. The date for the occupation
OF Pretoria which is usually named
by them that there will be no delay
either III the passage of the Vaal or in
the occupation of Johannesburg, since
Gen. Roberts. w.th his superiority OF
numbers and his strength of mounted
force, can turn the Beers out of every
defensive position which they may at
tempt to hold They expect to see the
BIRTHS, tag flying over johannesburg by
tie end of another week, and Pretoria
uudrr siege early in June.
Another matter which is discussed in
official circles with increasing interest is
the Dutch responsibility for indemnities.
The colonial office is looking into this
subject and the experts are calculating
already the proportions which the two
republics can contribute to the bill of
damages from Cape Colony and Natal
and to the' British expenses for the war;
South Africans are not agreed upon the
financial aspects of the problem and upon
the most practical method of dis
trlbutlng the burdens of cost
ly war on the basis of population. The
state railway in the Orange Free State
is an available asset, but the Transvaal
railways are nominally owned by a pri-
vate corporation and cannot be seized by
the British government. Land taxes lev
led upon the Beers will yield little when
they are impoverished and the only ade-
quate resource for the payment of a
large indemnity is the mining territory of
the Rand. Gen. Bothas declaration.
quoted yesterday. that he would lead a
commando for the prevention of the de-
structlon of the mines. was wise and
timely. Why should the only goose in
Dutch Africa that can lay golden eggs
be killed?
Nearing the VaaI River.
Vredeforr, Thursday, May 24.-The
British columns, after an unopposed
march, reached the Vredefort road at
noon today and are now only two march
es from the Vaal river
Hunter Occupies Vryburg.
Warrenton, Thursday, May 24-Oper.
atoms have been pushed forward eighty
miles, one of Gen. Hunters brigades hay-
ing occupied Vryburg last night Con
sidering the difficulties of the road. this
is remarkable achievement for a mixed
force, short Of rations, making forced
marches Water is scarce. Some por-
tons of the brigade covered eighteen
miles without break.
Gen. Hunter personally goes to Vry-
bur~ today nv train