The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-29
Decentralization of Trans
vaal Complete.
Panic and Confusion Prevail
Everywhere.
Prevail

London, May 20.-3 a. m.-Lord Rob
erts is now within days march of
Johannesburg, and Gen. French and Gen.
Ian Hamilton fought the Beers from noon
until evening on Monday with what re-
suits is not known here.
Mr.. II. j. Wigham In despatch to the
Daily Mail, dated May 2S, says
1.-The decentralization Of the Transvaal
is remarkable. Panic and confusion
prevails everywhere. Every one is weary
of the war and full Of fear as to the COM
ing of the British. Operations were be-
ing carried on for encircling Pretoria
with telephonic communication. Four
teen points in the line Of defenses were
connected with headquarters and with
the Stats artillery, but this, apparently,
was the only defense adopted. There
were no other visible preparations.
"Not much gold Is likely to be found in
the treasury. The salaries Of the officials
and judges have not been paid or have
been only in national bank notes which
will be worthless when Lord Roberts
arrives The seat of government will be
removed to Waterfall Bowen, a small sta
tion on the Delagoa Bay railway line, and
then, If necessary to Lydenburg.
Both President Steyn and President
Kruger complain bitterly of Lord Rob-
erts's unfair tactics in refusing to meet
the Beers in positions chosen by them
and in eternally turning them by flank
movements.
Around johannesburg few trenches
have been dug, but no other steps have
been taken for defence.
H..Aa Il. ntradx MI
refugees from the West TO Southwest.
The government is now endeavoring to
reassure the public by telling them the
British will not outrage and plunder
them, but II is too late. The previous
misstatements are bringing their re-
rule high. The proposal to release the
British prisoners of war is due TO this
cause. Members of the government and
OF the Volksraad express approval OF the
proposal, but President Kruger Is violent
ly opposed to 1t.
"one form Of Internal machine which
meets with much approval is to be laid
under the rails Of various lines A pres
sure of some tons weight of the engine
will cause this TO explode with most ter
rible effect.
'.There has been decided change in
public opinion which has become quite
English. The burghers on commando
cannot be stopped. AL are sick Of war
fare. In the towns the rabid anti Eng
lish are less rampant. People are think
ing of their property. The party eager
for surrender Is now very influential and
includes the principal leaders at the
front. The intelligent public feel that
the game is up. False news no longer has
any effect and the lying reports Of the
newspapers are universally disbelieved.
Although the hand of the censor has
been very heavy ON news Of all kinds re-
Gently, every one believes the worst.
The government has arranged to con-
tinue the agitation against the British
occupation OF the two republics ON the
continent of Europe, in Great Britain and
in the United States. Great efforts are
to be made In this direction and no ex-
pense will be spared. have excellent
reasons for believing that the Bewaar-
plaatsen rights have been sold to a
the Volksraad. The government hopes
by this means to bring about French in
tervention for the protection OF French
rights in the Witwaters Rand and thus
cause England grave difficulties.
The conduct OF United States Consul
Hay is admirably discreet and meets with
universal praise alike from Boer and
British sun ypathizers.
Another despatch from Lourenco
Marques says;
"Gen. Lbuis Bothia is at Pretoria,
urging President Kruger to arrange
peace terms. Runaway burghers from
taings Mex passed through Heidelburg
last week. Wounded officials with their
families are leaving johannesburg and
Pretoria for Lydenburg. President Steyn
occupies the house OF a British resident
at Pretoria. Passengers arriving at
Lourenco Marques Monday from Pretoria,
said it was believed there that the British
would not be at the capitol for a month.
Nevertheless there was much unrest and
an xiety."