The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-05-31

London, May 27.-The latest intelli-
ceuce from Lord Roberts headquar-
tors at Vredsfort Station, filed Thurs
day at 5:45 p. m, was that the Brit
ish were rapidly advancing. Gen.
Hamilton had effected junction with
Lord Roberts. The country in front
If them was clear Of Beers to Vii
icons drift. The Beers We're evacu-
atng all their positions south Of the
yaal river and 5000 had already
crossed to the north bank. Probably
Gen. French's cavalry is already re-
conrOiterng the fords of the Vaal.
War office observers expect that the
next dispatch from the field marshal
will be dated in sight OF the Trans
yaal frontier. Mr.. Bennett Burleigh,
wiring TO the Daily Telegraph from
vredsfort Thursday morning, said
Lord Roberts would doubtless
Cross the yaaI
river by Saturday or Sunday. The
British outpoSts were then at Erste
Geluk, n,ne miles north Of Yredsfort
and twenty-six miles south of the
Vaal river. The railway is much
damaged. While the British in over
whelming force are thus rapidly APP
preaching the Transvaal, the move
ments of the Bo1rs are enveloped in
mystery. The last Pretoria newspaper
to reach L0urenZo Marques was a
week old. Every one seeking to cross
the Portuguese border from the
Transyaal IS searched for newspapers
and letters. Dispatches and mail let
ters containing even harmless refer
ences to tue war are suppresSed; the
only news that has emerged from the
TranSvaal during the last ten days
has come by word OF mouth. Accord
Ing to these oral reports yesterday the
Beers Were QuarreIing
among themselves. TraDsvaal paper
money was circulating at 80 per cent
discount. Becket's firm was giving
] pound In gold for five pounds in
paper KrOus4 and Klinke, the engi-
the mines. have been dismissed. Com
mandant Schultz had been appointed
10 defend Johannesburg, and all the
British subjects had been turned out.
Baden-Powell declines to act on the
suggestions of his friends that he
should return TO England for a rest.
He Is determined to retain his active
command at the front. Advlces frem
Mafeking, dated May 20. say the
Beers are intrenching at Polfontein,
seventeen miles east of Mafeking. The
Northern railway Is now repaired to
point within four miles of the town.
Ample supplies Of food are coming in.
Col. Baden-Powell voluntarily gave up
hfty-three Beers and eleven wounded
TO the Boer cOmmandant, who thanked
him for his kindness.
Attacked Rebel Natives.
The Baratoons, stimulated by the
British successes attacked the rebel
natives at Reitfontein May 10 and
took much loot. They released SAM,
the old chief who had rendered good
service to the British in keeping MAIZE
King supplied with news of the Boer
operations. Two thousand Beers are
near Ficksburg, besides small rowing
parties that come into contact with
the British while accommodating.
President Steyn was with these Boars
last Monday, organizing and inspect
ing them and drafting recalctrants
into this service. The British are
sweeping the country far and wide,
Selling horses, cattle and grain. Yes
terday President Steyn was reported
IN h. nt r~l ...tf 81. fol
force appealing to the Free Staters to
DEFEND their freedom and independ-
ence. Apparently he ana all the Free
staters he can assemble
VIII Not Join
the transvaalers, but will remain In
the northwestern section Of the Free
State. On Tuesday there was heavy
canonading at Me;chanZ, near Bethle-
hem. The firing began ct dusk. Why
and with what result Is not known AT
MaZer, Basutol, and where the news
arrived yesterday. Gen. Rundle's oil
vision was still at Trommel Tuesday.
There was small Boer lager twelve
miles to the north of him, and beyond
this there was larger one. The cor
respondent sending this news, which
was wired from Winburg yesterday
said that these Beers were under
stood to be ready to surrender, and
that. In his opinion, the war In the
Free State was practically over. A
dispatch to the Clocolan, dated May
%. says: The eighth division has IN
front Of It commanders headed on
from the Transvaal. which, while net
willing to surrender, do not know
whore IN 90 Their ioint strength iS
estimated at from 1000 to 1000 men"