The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-16
THE MEN WILL NOW REST
Roberts Establishes Connect ions With
Norval's Pont and Rethulie.
BRITISH EXPECT MORE FIERCE FIGHTING
Its Thought That the Measures Outlined Will
Be Taken by Roberts to Prepare for 1t,
Reitz Replies to Lord Sails
bury.
(By The Associated Press

London. March 15.-At precisely 1870
o'clock Tuesday afternoon Union Jack.
specially made for this purpose by Lady
Roberts, was hoisted over the Presidency
at Bloemfontein amidst the acclamation
of the Commander Chiefs battalions, in
which, curiously enough, the Orange Free
State burghers appear to have joined
with remarkable heartiness.
The opposition to the entry of the Brit
ish troops into the capital was insignifi-
cant. Beers were found occupying a few
hills south of the place but few shells
drove them off and at 10 in the morning
some newspaper correspondents entering
the town, found Mr. Frazer and other
officials and guided them to where Lord
Roberts stood on top of q hill, waiting for
them. AS spokesman, Mr.. Frazer asked
protection for life and property and sur
rendered the keys. Lord Roberts. accom-
panied by his staff, rode TO the head of Il
cayalcade, mile long, to the Presidency,
receiving All ovation throughout the
route, eliminating in a remarkable dem
onStration at the market square. Reach
ing the Government buildings Lord Rob-
erts took possession of the city in the
name of the Queen and then repaired to
the Presidency, where the ceremony OF
hosting the Union Jack ended forever, ac~
cording to universal opinion here, the
Boer Government of the Free State
During his progress through the town
Lord Roberts stopped and ordered the in
stant replacement of goods which were
being looted from the artillery barracks
by Kafirs, thus giving the populace an
earnest assurance Of the treatment they
might expect from the victors.
President Steyn fled to Kroonstadt with
out replying TO Lord Roberts demand for
his surrender, and the Commander-in
Chief remarked, afterwards, during the
course of conversation while breakfast
ing ar the farm of President Steyn's
brnt"~r that the "eX-President had be-
come nonentity.' The British troops
with the exception of those necessary TO
police the town, remained 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 Bloem-
fontein. showing it was a plucky act.
Major Hunt Weston, of the Royal Engin-
GERS. accompanied by ten men. traversed
the Boer lines and succeeded in cutting
the wires and blowing up the tracks.
Bloemfontein is now regarded there as
a sort of halfway house and base Of OPP
erations for the advance on Pretoria
The military authorities here expect a
period of comparative quiet while Lord
Roberts is establishing connection with
Norvals Pont and Bethule and giving the
men and horses the rest necessary to tit
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 General Warren's di-
vision which had reached Durham, has
been ordered to rejoin General Butler, in
dicating that the outfanking movement
through the neck of Tululapd. referred to
in these dispatches March 10th is about
Z 10 commence.
1t is reported at Bloemfontein that
General Joubert is at Brandfort, but other
reports locate him at Biggarsberg.
THE NEW CAPITAL KROONSTADT.
Pretoria March 14.-State Secretary
Reitz this morning posted the following
announcement:
Yesterday Bloemfontein was occupied
by the British after the burghers had
retired in a northern direction. The seat
of the Government of the Free State has
been already transferred to Krocn-
stadt."