The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-31
5000 H0ERs SURRENDER.
General Roberts Keeps Up the Hammering and
Starving Process.
(By the Associated Press.

(By the Associated Press. }
London, July 30.-The following official
dispatch has been received from Lord
Roberts:
Pretoria, July 29th.-On July 26th
Macdonald fought rear guard action
with the enemy from early morning until
dark, nine miles outside of Naauwpoort,
in the Bethlehem hills, resulting in his
effectually blocking Naauwpoort Mex to
the Beers.
Hunter reports that the enemy twice
checked his advance by holding strong
positions on two neks, one of which was
taken before dark by the Scots, the Royal
Irish, the Wiltshire and the Leicester
Guards Our casualties were only or o.
The second mex was taken during the
night by the Scots and Guards, without
opposition, the enemy retiring closely to
Naauwpoort.
Prisoners taken state that twelve hun
dred burghers would surrender if guaran-
teed that they would be treated as pris-
oners of war and not as rebels. To this
| had assented. AS a result of these
operations Prinsloo, commanding the
Beers, acted under a flag Of truce this
morning a four days armistice for peace
negotiations.
Hunter replied the only terms he could
accept were unconditional surrender, and
until these were complied with hostilities
could not cease. / expressed my approval
and told Hunter on no account to enter
into negotiations.
CAS- / am writing a telegram has come
from Hunter saying that Prinsloo had
py
ingness to hand over himself, with his
men, rifles, ammunition and firearms upon
conditions that horses. saddles. brides
and other possessions of the burghers be
guaranteed them and they be free to ce-
turn to their homes.
81 have replied that the surrender must
be absolutely uncondition; that all rifles.
ammunition, horses and other possessions
must be given up, and that the burghers
will be considered prisoners OF war.
added that Prinsloo's oyertures will not
be allowed in any way to interfere with
Hunters operations, which must be con-
tinued until the enemy is defeated or
has surrendered
A later dispatch from General Roberts,
dated July 18th, confirms the surrender
of Prinsloo. with five thousand Beers.
BOERS RAPIDLY GIVING UP.
Bloemfontein, July 30.-General Hunter,
having received written unconditional
surrender of all the Beers in Caledon
Valley attended to accept the surrender.
General Prinsloo, lately elected to the
chief command, arrived and tried to
repudiate the unconditional surrender.
General Hunter, however, refused any
RI RnorS
keep one riding horse.
About II o'clock the troops were drawn
up in two long lines on the hills and
over the valley and the Beers rode in
between, throwing down their rifles to-
gether with a motley collection of
clothing, blankets, and gear, such as was
found in General Cronje's lager.
The Ficksburg commando was first to
lay down arms, consisting of about $50
men. Then came the Ladybrand commando
with about 450 Fifteen horses, two guns
and so wagons were given up. General
Prnsloo and Commandant Crowther were
received by General Hunter at his tent
where they were well treated and
accorded every courtesy.
Many of the Beers have gone through
Naaupoort and will surrender to General
Macdonald Others are still arriving here
The Harrismth and Vrede commanders
are yet at large, as we'll as some Beers
who got out of valley at night, but the
prisoners say that those outside will
surrender and that this will practically
end the Free State army.
The Beers say they would not have
surrender had they not been surrounded.
The prisoners have been placed in a
lager under guard and will be kept there
until all arrive.