Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-03-22

hour IN England - IntchSC
thusiasm Prevails.
London, March 16. = The war office
has received the following dispatch
from Lord Roberts announcing his oc-
cuparcy of Bloemfontein:
"Bloemfontein, March 13, 8 p. NJ
BY the help of God and by the bravery
of her majesty's soldiers, the troops
under my command have taken pos
session of Bloemfontein. The British
flag now flies over the presidency.
evacuated last evening by President
! Steyn, late president c. the Orange
Free State. Mr.. Frazer. member OF
the late executive government: the
mayor, the secretary Of the late gov
eminent; the landrost and other Of
ficials met me two miles from the town
and presented me with the keys of the
public offices. The enemy have with
drawn from the neighborhood, and all
seems quiet. The inhabitants OF
Bloemfontein gave the troops cordial
welcome"
The above dispatch, though dated
tuesday, was not received at the war
office until 7:30 p. m. Wednesday. 1t
was made public few minutes before
3. The delay is attributed to the field
telegraphs not being connected with
Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening. En-
ira papers are already out on the
streets and the night crowds of London
are singing patriotic songs and cngaG-
Ing in demonstrations.
Hoistcd the White Flag.
London, March 1G.-A dispatch to the
Daily Chronicle from Bloemfontein,
dated Tuesday evening, says:
''Bloemfontein surrendered at 10
o'clock to-day. 1t was occupied at
noon. President Steyn, with majority
Of the fighting burghers, has fed
northward. Gen. French was within
five miles of the place at O'Clock
Monday afternoon. He sent sum-
mons into town, threatening to bonn
bard unless it surrendered by a. IN.
Tuesday. A white flag was hoisted
Tuesday morning and a deputation OF
the town council, with Mayor Kellner.
came out to meet Lord Roberts at
sp1tz kop, five miles south of town.
making a formal surrender Of the
place. Lord Roberts made a state
entry at noon. He received ire
mendous ovation. After visiting the
public building he went to the official
residence of the president followed by
cheering crowd, who waved the
British flag and sang the British ma
tional anthem. They were in condi-
ton of frenZied excitement. On Mon
day afternoon, previous to the surren-
der, there had been little sniping and
! Smelling. but the enemy then retired.
Lord Roberts has his headquarters at
the presidents house and there are
many Of the British wounded in the
building. The railway is not injured
Roberts the Hero OF the Hour.
London, March 16.-The first half Of
the campaign is over. Lord Roberts
arrived at Modder river on Feb 9. He
entered Bloemfontein on March IL.
Thus, in little over a month, he has
effected the relief of Kimberley and
| Cronje's forces and the hosting of the
British flag in the capital Of the Free
State. All this has been accomplished
Will Col1lpdILllSClS lllu1uS 1ocSCS. -
Is small wonder that he is the hero OF
the hour in England. All the newspa-
pers eulogize him and congratulate the
country. The talk of the Free State
as having passed out existence as being
now one of the shadows of history.
1t is not doubted that there may yet
be heavy fighting. but the genius Of
Lord Roberts is looked to for victory
over all difficulties. His grim reference
to the "late" President Steyn is under
stood to show that there shall be no
ambiguity as to the position assumed
toward the republics. The fact that
Mr.. Fraser, late chairman Of the Free
State raad, and leader of the opposition
to Mr.. Steyn, came with the deputation
to surrender the keys, is regarded as
extremely significant Of considerable
difference of opinion among the Free
Staters regarding the war. 1t is said
that President Kruger hates Mr.. Frasr
er on account of his sympathy with the
Uitlarders. The demonstrations Of the
Bloemfontein Inhabitants are also re-
garded as good augury for the future
Of the British supremacy.
Advance Being Pushed.
London, March 16.-The British COLI
Iluu0 pItSSluS luclI duNduCc VII TIC VI
ange river. The Beers still hold Beth
ulie bridge, on the north side Of the
stream, but their trenches are dom.
mated by the British artillery. Heavy
firing is in progress and there has been
some skirmishing. Lord Kitchener
seems to be very successful in reducing
the extent of the Dutch rising.
Fight to the Death Says Kruger.
New York, March 16. A dispatch
from President Kruger to the Evening
Journal, dated Pretoria, March ID, 8
p. m, via Berlin, says: '"rhe burghers
will only cease fighting with death.
our forces are returning in good order
to our lines of defense on our own SOIL
The Natal campaign was longer in our
favor than we expected. The British
will never reach Pretoria. The burgh-
ers. Steyn, Joubert and myself, as we'll
as all the others are united. There are
no differences. God help u.s."
/ A BOer Refutntion.
London, March 16.-The Daily Mail
Inns the, fn1loxvinV dicn0 fnI, from lp,o