Evening journal., 1900-05-23
NOn-COmbatantS Being Cleared Out
Preparatory to Bitter Fight
ing in Last Ditch
ROBERTS SWEEPING ONWARD
lie Moves on BOer StrOnghOIdS, While
Barghers Prepare to Defend Pre-
tOrm and johannesburg

London. May 23.-The Transvaal
government has informed the corre-
spondents at Pretoria that Il has not
considered and does not intend to con-
hider unconditional surrender, but will
night TO a finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that Johannesburg
VIII De defended and the government
announces that IL will not hold itself
responsible for injury to person or
property resulting from the defense
measured
Pretoria dispatches affirm that Presi-
dent Kruger, President Steyn and all
the most prominent leaders OF both
republics, after a prolonged inter-
change Of Views, are determined to
continue the resistance, but that a mi-
nority OF the leaders advocate sur
render without terms.
Mrs. Reitz, wife OF the Transvaal
state secretary, and her family, with
the families OF other officials have
gone TO Lourenzo Marques. Johannes
burg and Pretoria are being cleared
or non-combatants. The Boer chiefs,
VINO now recognize the possibility that
they viii have TO defend these cities.
are preparing with the utmost haste.
The Boer spirit has been rising from
low ebb. and is now ready for a stead
fast resistance.
Nevertheless, according to the Daily
Chronicle. long messages I'm Dutch
have been received by the British gov
ernment by way OF Amsterdam, in
which President Kruger seeks peace.
According to one account President
Kruger surrenders uncondltionally:
according to another he asks for terms.
There seems to be good reason for
believing that he is earnestly endeav-
oring to secure terms, but cable in
quiries fail to confirm the assertion
that correspondence has recently pass
ed between Great Britain and the
Iransvaal respecting terms.
Lord Roberts is again moving. The
British infantry left Kroonstad Mon
day and headquarters was expected TO
leave yesterday. The railway has been
restored, and the first train Is due to
arrive today.
The Beers are busy blasting for gun
omplacements along the Rhonoster
river. Gen De Wet commands. as Gen.
Botha Is IN.
The advance Of Lord Roberts will
propably be swift. II Is the expecta-
ton OF we'll informed observers here
that the Vaal river, S5 miles beyond
kroonstad, will be crossed by the end
Of the week
slr hedvers Butler, In n general or
der to his troops cOngratulating them
on the result OF their ten days oper-
ations, says they were only checked at
Laings Mex by a fresh commando sent
from the Transvaal. Gen. Clery. with
2 cavalry brigade, engaged the rear
guard of the Beers at Laings Mex on
Sunday, captured a number Of wagons
and took some prisoners. His artil-
Iery shelled the Mex. The Beers In
their retreat laid waste the territory.
blew up bridges and burned several
houses, as many as six at Newcastle.
The machinery of the Navigation coll
ieries was ruined.
Gen. Butler, replying to residents OF
Newcastle who presented him with a
rophy, said he expected to return
rom Pretoria soon.
Nothing new concerning the relief
u Mafeking has come through. All
ne accounts or the engagement on
Nay 10 extols the bravery of the Can
ldians. Col. Mahon's column arrived
Il the rendezvous one hour after Col.
olumer, showing with what accuracy
he movements were timed.
Sir Alfred Miner, speaking at Cane
Town Monday, before an enormous as
celebrating the relief OF
lafeking, referred to the remark Of
irevious speaker who had condemned
he Beers as "cowardly scoundrels.'
ie said:
4.rr4t
There are many among our enemies
gho deserve to be honored for their
eroism. Although cases Of treacherv
nd barbarity have occurred they have
zen exceptional. The conduct OF the
nemy is that Of brave men fighting for
bad cause. Yet they are entitled
0 respect"
The Durham correspondent OF The
lines, telegraphing yesterday. saws.
Rev. Adrain Hofmeyr tells me he was
nformed by a high Boer official that.
'hen President Kruger notified the
aad OF the governments ARRANGEMENTS
D blow up the mines and to destroy
johannesburg Gen. Louis Botha hur-
led TO Pretoria and had a stormy in
srview with President Kruger. To
HON he said that. If the plan were