Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-01

may -bElllSn dIc
now at johannesburg. debating terms
of surrender. The British advance
guard is half way between Johannes
burg and Pretoria. 1t is reported that
there is a force also at Hatherly. All
the forces have been dismissed from
the forts around Pretoria. President
Kruger is now at Waterfall bowen.
London, May 31.-3 a. m.-Yesterday
at noon the British were only about
two hours march from Pretoria, and
the Boer military forces had abandoned
the city. This intelligence comes from
the Reuter- agents at the Transvaal
capital and from the Earl OF Rosslyn
In press dispatch. The two messages
left about the same time.
Most Of the London morning papers
treat the war as ended. Some Of the
more cautious critics think that guer-
lila warfare is likely to be carried on
for some time in various parts Of the
conquered territory.
Although the Boer forces are dissolv-
ing, Lord Roberts, apparently, has not
yet taken any considerable quantity OF
artillery, arms or stores. Large bodies
of Beers must still be somewhere In the
field.
WatervaIboven, or Waterfallboven, is
small mountain place one hundred
and thirty miles due east Of Pretoria,
On the Delagoa bay railway. The seat
of the BOer government-what Is left
of twill probably be Lydenburg, to
the north.
A dispatch from Lorenzo Marques.
dated Wednesday, says: Commandant
Kraus has surrendered Johannesburg to
Lord Roberts. BY tO-nights train from
Pretoria arrived a few Greeks who say
they were told to leave Pretoria Tues
day. They affirm that the train in
which they left was shelled by the Brit
ish and that half of the train was cut
off, the remainder steaming away. This
incident probably occurred at Elands-
fontein Junction
Passengers from Pretoria assert that
the town is utterly demoralized. There
is e. mad rush for the coast. Five
train loads Of fugitives are expected
here tonight.
The Lorenzo Marques correspondents
think that the border troubles between
the Transvaal and Portugal may come
to head at any moment. Komau
bridge is strongly defended. Yesterday
the Portuguese authorities were hop
ing to resist a possible engagement. A
mule battery was sent to the frontier.
The Lorenzo Marques correspondent
of the Times says: 1t would not be
surprising If a large proportion Of the
rebel Dutch sought temporary refuge
on Portuguese territory. 1t is reported
that a special train from Pretoria, with
fugitiVeS. was derailed on the Trans
Vaal side of komatipOort, a number
Of passengers being killed or injured.
The British authorities at Buluwayo
think the Beers Will retire into South
ern RhOdesia.
By the release of the British pris-
oners at Waterfall a full brigade will
be added to the army of Lord Roberts,
as there were one hundred and seventy
seven officers and 1872 privates among
them.
General Hunter re-entered the Trans
vaal at MaribOgopan Tuesday. The ad
vance was made off the railway. Yes
terday General Hunter reached Gres-
dorp with ten days supplies. Maribo-
gopan Is half way between Vryburg
and Mafeking. Greisdorp is from
twelve to fifteen miles east. General
Hunter meets with no resistance.
General Baden-POWell is invading
further north, without opposition. Com
mandant Snyman having gone toward
Pretoria.
In Northern Natal Utrecht has sur
rendered to General Hildyard, and Cen
eral Lyttleton is moving to Vryheid.
Three different correspondents estimate
the number Of Beers at Laing's Mex at
about 10000.
Bloemfontein, Monday, May 28-Amid
salutes and cheers and the singing Of
God Save the Queen" the military
governor, Major General George Pretty
man, at noon formally proclaimed the
annexation of the Free State under the
designation of the Orange River Col
ony. The ceremony was somewhat i'm
posing and the scene in the market
square inspiring. An immense con-
course had gathered and the town was
gay with bunting. The balconies and
windows surrounding the square were
crowded with ladies.
The troops were drawn up under
command of General Knox and enter
tained the spectators. The Governor
accompanied by General Kelly-Kenny
and their staffs, escorted by the Welsh
Yeomanry, was greeted with a general
salute, after which, amid an impress
stve silence and in a clear voice, heard
In every part Of the square, General
Pretyman read Lord Roberts procla-
nation annexing the Orange Free State
as conquered by Her Matesty's forces
to the Queens dominions and proclaim
ing that the State shall henceforth be
known as the Orange River Colony.
Lusty cheers greeted the concluding
words Of the proclamation and these
were renewed with ever increasing vol
ume as Lord Acheson unfurled the
royal standard and the bands struck up
God Save the Queen" all present join
ing In singing the national hymn.
The ceremony concluded with cheers
for the Queen, Lord Roberts and the
army and a salute Of twenty-one guns.