Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-03-19

London, March 15-The first half of
the campaign is over. Lord Roberts
in a little over a month has effected
the relief of Kimberley and Ladysmith,
the capture Of Gen. Cronje's forces,
and the hosting of the British flag
over the capitol of the Free State.
ALI was accomplished with compare
lively trifiing losses. It is no small
wonder he is the hero of the hour in
England. All newspapers eulogize him
and congratulate the country. They
talk of the Free State as having passed
out of existence, and as being now one
of the shadows of history. It is not
doubted there may yet be heavy fight
ing, but the genius of Lord Roberts
is looked to for victory over
all difficulties. His grim ref
erence to the "late" President
Steyn is understood to show there shall
be no ambiguity as to
the position assumed toward
the republics. The British con-
tinue pressing their advance on the
Orange river. The beers still hold
Bethulie bridge, on the north side of
the stream, but their trenches are dom
mated by British artillery. Heavy fir
ing is in progress and there has been
some skirmishing. Lord Kitchener
seems to be very successful in reducing
the Dutch rising
How Bloemfontein Fell.
London, March 15.-The following is
the text of Gen. Roberts dispatch to
the war office announcing the occupa-
ton of Bloemfontein: "By the help of
God and by the bravery of her males
tvs soldiers, the troops under my
command have taken possession of
Bloemfontein. The British flag now
flies over the presidency, evacuated
last evening by Mr.. Steyn, late presi-
dent of the Orange Free State. Mr..
Frazer, a member of the late executive
government and other officials met me
two miles from town and presented me
the keys of the public Offices. The
enemy has withdrawn from the neigh
bOrhood and all seems quiet. The in
habitants Of Bloemfontein gave our
troops cordial welcome The above
dispatch was dated Tuesday.
London Is Jubilant.
London, March 15.-Lord Roberts
dispatch announcing the occupation of
BlOemfontein caused a feeling of great
relief. On the reception of the news,
the queen at Windsor castle, the
prince of Wales at Marlborough house,
Lord Wolseley and others, were i'm
mediately notified. The appearance of
newspapers with the tidings caused
great excitement along Pail Mall and
clubs in the west end generally. OW-
ing to the late hour, however, there
were no demonstrations approaching
in the slightest degree those heralding
the surrender of Cronje, or the relief OF
Ladysmith. Wherever Roberts dis
patch was read his reference to the
late" President Steyn and "late" ex-
ecutive, was Immediately fastened up
on as highly significant. The lord
mayor announced the news at a ban
quet to the masters of the city COM
panies in progress at the Mansion
house. 1t was received with great
cheering, the company rising and sing
ing God Save the Queen. The evening
papers at Liverpool, Manchester and
Glasgow published special editions,
causing joyful demonstrations in those
cities.
Methuen Takes Stores.
Methuen, March 15.-British troops
under Lord Methuen returned to Kim
berley from the occupation of Bushot.
Orange Free State. Several guns and
10000 rounds of ammunition were
seized, and a strong garrison left to
guard the town. Six beers were ar
rested there on a charge Of treason.
Nearly all the residents are wearing
mourning, as the Bushof commands
lost 200 men at the battle Of Belmont
Kruger's Heroic Determination.
New York, March ia dispatch
from President Kruger dated Pretoria,