The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-06
IRISH BATTALION CAPTURED.
BAD NEWS FOLLOW REPORT OF
ENTRY INTO PRETORIA.


conditionalIy-Robe Would Not
Hear to Amy Terms-Majority of
the British Prisoners Were Left
There-Mrs. Kruger StiH in Pre-
tOria-Re ejoicing in England Over
What Is Called the End of the
War.
London, June 5. 12 midnight-Lord Rob-
erts reports to the war Office that the
Thirteenth battalion of the Imperial Yeo-
manry Qrish) was overwhelmed by the
Beers at Lndley.'
Lord Methuen made a magnificent
march to the rescue, but was too late.
Following Is the text of the dispatch:
Pretoria Station, June 5, 1855 p. MI
regret to report that the Thirteenth I'M
perial Yeomanry had to surrender to a
very superior foce of the enemy on May
81. near Lindley. On receiving informa-
ton of the battalion being attacked,
ordered Methuen to proceed with all
speed to its assistance. Methuen was
then on the march on the Heilbron side
of Kroonstad; and, half an hour after
the receipt of my telegram on June l,
he started off. By 10 a. m. of the follow
ing day he had marched forty-four miles
in twenty-five hours, but he was too late
to rescue Col Spragge's Yeomanry.
"Methuen attacked the Beers who were
between two and three thousand strong.
and after a running fight Of five hours
completely routed the enemy.
'It is very regretable circumstance;
but trust it will not be long before the
Irish Yeomanry are released from cap
uvity."
Roberts in Pretoria.
London, June 5, 12:H p. m.-The war
Office has issued the following dispatch
form Lord Roberts:
Pretoria. June s. 11:4o a. m.-We are
now in possession of Pretoria. The official
entry will be made this afternoon at 2
o'clock"
1t was announced verbally at the war
Office this afternoon that Lord Roberts
entered Pretoria at O'clock, South Afri-
can time.
London, June 5, 11:07 p. m.-The war Of
fce has received the following from Lord
Roberts:
Pretoria, June 5, 1856 p. m.-Just be-
fore dark yesterday the enemy were
heaten back from nearly all the positions
they had been holding, and Ian Hamil-
tons mounted infantry followed them TO
within two thousand yards of Pretoria,
through which they retreatea hastily
"DeLisle then sent an officer with. a
flag of truce into the town, demanding
lis surrender in my name. Shortly before
midnight l was awakened by two Of
fica's OF the South African Republic,
Sandberg, military secretary to Command
ant Gen. Botha, and a general officer of
the Boer army, who brought me a letter
from Botha, proposing an armistice for
the purpose of settling the terms of sur
render.
Il replied that l would gladly meet the
commandaut general the next morning,
but that 1 was not prepared to discuss
any terms, as the surrender of the town
must be unconditional. I asked for re-
ply by daybreak, as l hal ordered the
troops to march on the town as soon as
1t was light.
''ln his reply Botha decided not to de-
fend Pretoria and that he trusted women,
Children and property would be protected.
AT l a. m. to-day. while on the line of
march was met by three of the princi-
pal officials with a flag of truce. stating
their wish to surrender the town.
1T was arranged that Pretoria should
be taken possession of by Her Majesty's
troops at 2 O'clock this afternoon.
Mrs. Botha and Mrs. Kruger are both
In Pretoria. Some few of the British
prisoners have been taken away, but the
majority are still at Waterfall Over a
hundred of the officers are in Pretoria.
The few 1 have seen are looking we'll"
Rejoicing In England.
London, June Sat o'clock this af-
tarnoon a,mcst eight mon his after the
declaration of war, Lord Roberts enter
ed Pretoria.
While the commander-in-chief of the
greatest army Great Britain ever put in
the field was fulfilling the promise he
made to the Guards at Bloemfontein, to
Lad them into the capital of the Trans
vaal, England was celebrating the event
with wild enthusiasm. Throughout the
length and breadth of the country the
news spread like wildhre.
Based on the recollsction of recent Eu-
Ioptan wars. when the occupation of the
enemy's capital signified the end of hos
u Lies, Lcrd Roberts terse telegram was
universally taken to mean the practical
finish of the war which has tried Great
britain's military resources as they were
never tried before In London the Man
son House and the, war office almost in
stantly became the centers for jubilant
throngs. Flags again appeared as If by
magic and traffic had to be diverted
through other streets. Joyful throngs
numbered cheers and sang God Save
me Queen" Hats hoisted from thousands
ana shlmmere like a coal bed in the sun.
Lord Roberts Six Miles Spruit dis
patch was hardly printed by the "extras"
pe1ore the Union Jack of the war Office
was hauled up the fagstaff, and the brief
message was passed from mouth to
mouth; Pretoria Is occupied"
French North of Pretoria.
The pressure Of Gen. French north Of
the Boer capital came, as a surprise, and
explained the ommander-in-chfefs re-
riever, anent the position of the ener-
getic cavalry leader. 1t was evident that
LORD Roberts delayed attacking until all
ms columns were ready to cooperate.
Judging from Lord Roberts phraseol-
ogy the occupation Of Pretoria was not
accompanied by any loss of life. What
mas happened to the Boer forces which so
lnslstently opposed the British advance
at Six Miles Spruit, can only be surmised.
But, presumably, they have got away. for
the present at any rate.
The latest press dispatches from a rep
resentative of the Associated Press at
Pretoria, dated June 2, quote Gen. Botha