The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-20

Inc military authorities here expect
a period of comparative quiet while
Lord Roberts is establishing railroad
connection with Norvals pont and Be-
THULE, and giving the men and horses
the rest necessary to fit them for the
severe struggles which are believed to
be still inevitable.
1t seems likely that the next news Of
fighting may come from Natal. Gen.
eral Warren's division, which had
| reached Durham, has been ordered to
rejoin General Butler, indicating that
the outfianking movement through the
mex of Zululand. referred to in these
dispatches March 10th, is about to
commence.
GATACRE CROSSES THE ORANGE
The war office has received the fol-
lowing from Lord Roberts:
"Bloemfontein, Tuesday, March Is
General Gatacre crossed the Orange
river n occupied Bethulie this morn
ing. General Pole-Carew, with 1000
men of the Guards brigade, two guns
and a small body of mounted infantry,
left here in three trains this morning
to join hands with General Gatacr
and General Clements. He had passed
Bethany by 4:40 p. m, without meeting
any opposition, having been able to
bremen. filters. moulders, smiths, car
penters, etc"
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TRANS
FERRED.
Pretoria, March Estate Secretary
Reitz this morning posted the follow
ing announcement:
Yesterday Bloemfontein was ecu
pied by the British after the burghers
had retired in a northern direction.
The seat Of government of the Free
State has been already transferred TO
Kronstadt.
FORMALITIES OF THE SURREN-
DER.
Bloemfontein, Tuesday, March L.
Lord Roberts entered the Free State
capital today, practically unOppOSed.
He lay at Venters Wei, fourteen miles
away, last night with General Kelly
: Kenny and General Colville's divisions,
the Guards brigade and the mounted
/ infantry.
| General French, having cut the rail
way and telegraphs. experienced a
sligh/ skirmish with some Beers hold
ing the kopjes southeast of the town.
Early in the morning the cavalry bri-
gade moved forward and occupied
slowly several kopjeS which
| ed the Beers.
A few well-placed shells from the
horse artillery drove off the enemy
General French then sent out scouts
to feel their way toward the town, per-
ceiving which the correspondents Of
The Sydney-Herald and The London
Daily News, with n other, gallopad
forward and entered the town, which
wore an everyday aspect. The people
were out shopping or for morning
walks and at first the three newSpa-
per men were regarded as towns folks.
When, later, it became known that
they were the forerunners of the Brit
ish army they were greeted cordially
and onducte to a club where they
mot Mr. Ern q of n 0Ynnr1tIUn
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 a high net. The deputation soon
arrived opposite the kopje where Lord
Roberts was stationed, and this CORE
spOndent rode onward and had the
honor of announcing to the command
er-in-c1ief that Bloemfontein would
surrender.
a little later the deputation began 10
approach and Lord Roberts went for
ward to meet them.
The scene was picturesque in the eX-
IRENE. 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 BlOemfonIein
shone in the distance.
After salutes had been exchanged a
member of the deputation stepped for
ward and declared that the town wish
ed to surrender, hoping that Lord
Roberts would protect life and proper
ty. He replied that, provided there
was no opposition he would undertake
to guarantee the security of both. The
interview was very cordial and without
a sign OF solemnness. 1t struck this
! respOnden that the deputation
British troops. Lord Roberts notified
the deputatiOn of his intention of en-
tering the town in state and they with
drew to inform the t~ownspeople.
Lord Roberts then made his military
dispositions. ordering the first brigade
to follow him and to take possession
of the town.
With his staff and the military at
taches he descended the kOpie and ar
rived on the plain. where he waited
he entered the city, followed by his
personal staff. the general staff, the
military attaches and the troops.
STORMY SCENES IN BLOEMFON-
TEN.
London. March 16.-The Standard
has the following dispatch from Bloem-
f%ontein, Thursday, March 18th:
THE civil authorities here definitely
made up their minds to surrender on
Monday. A stormy meeting was held
presided over by Mr.. Steyn, whom Mr..
Frazer as a Oward, charg-
ing him with a want of enough of
moral courage to accept the situation.
The late president, was, however, MOI
to be persuaded, and when the meeting
broke up he left for the north.
The occupation was extremely or
derby and well managed. The spec
tacle was most impressive when the
Sixth division marched through in
grand style, Notwithstanding that,
like the rest of the army, it had cover
ed forty miles in twenty-seven hours
Large numbers of the burgherS are
Surrendering their arms. Many have
fled to their homes. Others are trek
king to the east or the north with their
cattle n goods. During the last few
days the inhabitants of Bloemfontein
had gone in deadly fear of violence OF
the ~TransVaalerS, and, consequently
the city resembles rather a relieved
than a captured town. Mr.. Vessels
president OF the Rad, has gone to Eng
land to solicit public sympathy and tC
1 plead for the independence of the Free