New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
RELIEVED BY ROBERTS.
Continued from first page.

some Beers holding the kopJes southeast OF the
town. Early in the morning the cavalry brigade
moved forward and occupied slowly several
kop3es which commanded the Beers.
A few well placed shells from the horse artil-
lery drove of the enemy General French then
sent out scouts TO feel their way toward the
town perceiving which the correspondents or
THE Sydney Herald" and ''The London Daily
News with one other. galloped forward and
entered the town. which wore an everyday as
pect.
The people out shopping or for morning
walks. and first the three newspaper men
were regarded as townsfolk When later 1t be-
came known that they the forerunners OF
the British army they were greeted cordially
and conducted to a club. where they met MT
Frazer. Of the Executive Council, the Mayor and
other officials. These they persuaded to take
carriages and go to meet Lord Roberts
As the party drove out of the city the British
cavalry were closing around like nigh net
The deputation soon arrived opposite the kopje
where Lord Roberts was stationed, and one cor
respondent rode forward and had the honor of
announcing to the Commander in Chief that
Bloemfo1tein would surrender.
A little later the deputaton began to approach
and Lord Roberts went forward to meet them.
The scene picturesque in the extreme. A
few yards away the guns of a battery pointed
their grim mouths toward the late position OF
the Beers while the tin roofs of Bloernfontein
shone in the distance.
After salutes had been exchanged a member
OF the deputation stepped forward and declared
that the town. being without defences, wished
TO surrender hoping that Lord Roberts Woulo
protect life and property. He replied that pro-
vided there was no opposition ne Woulo ul"ei
take to guarantee the security OF polh
The interview was very cordial. without a
sign of solennness. 1t struck this correspondent
that the deputation seemed relieved by the pres
ence of The British troops. Lord Roberts in
formed the deputation of his intention of enter
ing the town in state and they Withore" " III
form the townspeople.
LORD Roberts then made his military disposi-
tions ordering the First Brigade to foloW nIil I'M
and m take possession of the town With ms
staff and the military attaches he descended
the kopie and arrived on the plain, wnere ne ne
waited until the saTary bg bis PERSONAL
the e. raj staff the military attaches and the
troops.
London. March 15.-At precisely 1:oo O'Clock
on Tuesday afternoon a Union Jack, speclai!
made for this purpose by Lady Roberts, was
hoisted over the Presidency at Bloemtonteh
amid the acclamations of the Commander IN
Chiefs battalions in which, curiously enough
the Orange Free state burghers appear to nave
.oined with remarkable heartiness.
The opposition to the entry OF the bIlusi
troops into the capital was insignificant Boers
were found occupying few hills south OF 'he
place but few shells drove them OH anu a'
10 O'Clock in the morning some newspaper coi
resnondents entered the town, found MT r iaZei
and other officials and guided them to Whefe
Lord Roberts stood top of hill waltlhs loi
them AS spokesman. Mr.. Frazer asked protec
zion for life and property, and surrendered
the KEYS Lord Roberts, accompanied py his
staff rode at the head of cavaleade a mile
long to the Presidency receiving an ovation
throughout the route eliminating in a remark
ahle demonstration at the Market square
Reaching the Government buildings, LORD hop-
.arts took possession Of the city in the name OF
the Queen and then repaired TO the PRESIDENCY
where the ceremony OF hoisting the Union Jack
ended forever, according to universal OPINION
here The Boer Government of the Free state
During his progress through the town horu
Roberts stopped and ordered the instant replace
rnent of goods which were being looted from
the artillery barracks by Kaffirs, thus giving
the popuiace an earnest Of the treatment tney
might expect from the victors
President Stevn fed TO kroonstadt without
renlving to Lord Roberts's demand for his sur
render and the Commander in Chief remarked
afterward in the course of conversation, whlie
breakfasting at the farm Of President Steyh S
brother, that the ''ex-President had oecohle 1"
nonentity."
The British troops, with the exception Oh 'hoSe
necessary to police the town, remain OUTSIDE
The press dispatches giving most of the above
interesting details also settle the point raised
about the cutting Of the railroad and telegraph
north OF Bloemfontein, showing ii was lucky
act. Major Hunter Weston. of the Royal En-
gineers. accompanied by ten men, traVersed the
Roer lines and succeeded in cutting the wires
and blowing up the track
Bloenfonteir is now regarded as a sort OF
halfway house and base of operations for the
advance on Pretoria.
4 dispatch to THE Daily Mail" from Bloem-
fentcin dated Tuesday evening at 4 o'clock.
says:
We surprised and outfianked the enemy with
Irresistible force night General French
held the railway north and south of Bloemfon-
tein. while Lord Roberts dispatched prisoner
parole. threatening to lombard unless the
city surrendered. The townsmen became
alarmed. President Steyn and the chief men,
ibers of the Executive Council fed, and pro-
claimed Kroonstadt to be the capital.
Steyn fed to Winburg. At last only three
thousand fighting men remained, and, In the
morning many, finding themselves SO weak
ened. broke their guns Others fled. The rem
nant still shelled General French at dawn, but
the opposition soon collapsed.
Eight locomotives and much rolling stock were
captured The Boer organization is collapsing,
and the breach between the Free Staters and
TransVaalers is widening.
Na5Or-General Prettyman has beer appointed
Military Governor Of Bloemfontein- Lord Rob
erts and mis- staff have ridden through the town
and been everywhere cheered. The British Ma
tioral Anthem IS enthusiastically sung by the
population the shops gladly opening and
there is general rejoicing.
The military authorities here expect a period
of comparative quiet while Lord Roberts is
establishing railroad connection with NorvaTs
Pont and Bethulie and giving the men and
horses the rest necessary to fit them for the
severe struggles which believed 10 be still
inevitable. 1t seems likely that the next news
of fighting may come from Natal. General War