The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-06-07
WELCOME BRITISH
lord Roberts Tells of the Oc-
cupation of Pretoria.
Beers Retire In Good Order,
With Forces Intact.
Future Operations In South Af-
rica a Matter of Conjecture.
Roberts Rests.

LONDON, June G.-Until the situa-
,iou in the neghboihood of Pretoria is
cnlirhtcncd the officials here, as well as
otbrrs. will find difficulty in prognosti-
eating Lord Roberts immediate pro-
srummc. 1t appears evident that the
Rocr commander in chief, General Bo-
tbo. with all his men, withdrew in good
ordcr. probably along the Dclagoa Bay
roiroad. with the view of joining prcsi
don't Kruger. So the Transvaal forces
rcmaia practically intact, with President
Kruger and Stcyn and General Botha
and Secretary Of State Reitz all safe and
in nosition to continue the direction Of
affairs. The more optimistic see in the fact
that President Krugcr's wife and Gen
cral Bothn's wife weyc left at Pretoria
an Indication that the president does not
count on a long resistance. In any case
il will probably take Lord Roberts at
lcost a week to organize a campaign Of
pursuit.
4 bclatcd dispatch from Mafeking
dated May 81, announces the British oc-
rupation Of Malmani, where 200 Beers
surrendered.
A special dispatch from Lourenco Mar
grcs dated June 3, says
General Butler and Christian Botha
met mt Lningsnek at Buffers request,
when three days armistice was agreed
upon. The dispatch adds that the Brit
i,h have evacuated Utrecht"
Lord Roberts tclcgraphed to the war
office as follows. from Pretoria:
"'Thc occupation Of the town passed off
most satisfactorily. and the British flag
is now hoiStrd on top of the government
ia
more enthusiastic reception than | an
ticipatcd The Third battalion OF the
Grcnadicr guards lined the square when
the march past took place.
Owing to their having been on duty at
some distance tnd tie town. very few
cavalry and infantry were able to take
part in the ceremony.
Several of our officers who had been
prisoners were among the onlookers."
LORD ROBERTS REPORT.
The war office has received the follow
ing from Lord Roberts, dated Pretoria,
June >, 1855 p. m:
Just before dark yesterday the enemy
were beaten back from nearly all the po-
sitions they had been holding, and Ian
Hamilton's mounted infantry followed
them within 1000 yards of Pretoria
through which they retreated hastily.
"De Lisle then sent an officer with Il
Tag Of truce into the town, demanding
its surrender in my name. Shortly befor,
midnight | was awakened by two OIL
cials of the South African Republic
Sandberg, military secretary To Com
mandant General Botha and II genera
officer Of the Boer army, who brought III,
letter from Botha, proposing an armiS
tice for the purpose of settling the terms
Of surrender.
81 replied that | would gladly meet the
cOmmandant general the next morning
but that | was not prepared to discus,
any terms, as the surrender of the town
must be unconditional. | asked for Il re
ply by daylight, as | had ordered tn,
troops to march on the town as soon as II
was light.
in his reply Botha told me that h,
had decided not to defend Pretoria anC
that he trusted the women, children ant
property would be protected. AT | u. III
today, while on the line of march | wa,
met by three of the principal official,
with flag of truce, stating their wish tC
surrender the town.
1T was arranged that Pretoria should
be taken possession of by her majesty.
troops at . o'clock this afternoon.
Mrs Botha and Mrs. Kruger are both
IN Pretoria. Some few OF the British
prisoners have been taken away, but tn,
majority are still at Waterfall. Over lOC
OF the officers are in Pretoria. The few
have seen are looking well"