The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-05-15
GOT AWAY IN SAFETY.
Beers Took All Their Guns, Etc.s
When They Left Kroonstad.
Many of the Correspondents at the
Front Announce That the War
Is Practically Over-NO News
From Gen. Butler.

London, May 1.-THE news of the
occupation of KroOnstad by Lord
Roberts without resistance causes
great rejoicing here. Although the
troops marched 1G miles, they were in
excellent form on entering the town.
The union jack was hOisted in the
market place by Mrs. Lockhead, the
American wife of a Scotchman. The
Beers are now trekking to the Vaal
river, where they are entrenching.
Gen. French encamped northeast Of
the town and dispatched & force to
cut the line. The project succeeded
late at night, but, unfortunately, after
the departure of the last train.
The arrival of Lord Roberts was
hailed with enthusiasm by all the
British inhabitants. Three hundred
Free Staters were anxious 10 surren-
der. The bridge to the south had not
been destroyed, but the large bridge
near the town had been demolished.
The Irish brigade with the federals
burned the goods shed. According to
the tOwnspeople, many of them were
drunk
1t appears that the Beers had been
reinforced by 5000 men from Natal
last Friday. and that altogether 10000
men with 20 guns made an ineffectual
stand at BOschrand. They had elabO-
rate entertainments in front of Kroon-
stad, which offered great facilities for
a rear guard action. Their only anx-
iety, however. appears to have been
to get away safely with all their guns
and conveys, which again they have
successfully accomplished. The few
stores they were unable to carry away
they burned.
President Steyn is represented as
having been frantic and as having
kicked and cuffed the burghers after
vainly implOring them to continue the
fight
THE war is practically over" says
the Daily Chronicles Kroonstad cor
respondent, and in less definite terms
this is the view to be gathered from
Pl! the correspondents. They picture
the Beers as utterly demOralized and
disheartened by Lord Roberts unex-
pectedly rapid advance and by his IA
cile turning of the carefully prepared
positions of the Beers.
Experience has taught the critics TO
be chary of accepting reports of BOer
Generalization. The Times SAYS: The
signs point to military breakdown on
the part of the Beers, but after ex-
perience OF the past we can. not ac-
cept the reports of decentralization |
without reserve. The game of war
must be strictly played out TO the |
end"
Lindley. the new Free State capital, |
is 45 miles southeast of KrOOnstad, |
half way to Bethlehem. and was prob |
ably selected as a convenient rendez- |
vOus for the commanders now retir- |
ing before Gen. Brabant and Gen. |
Rumble in the Thaba N'Chu district.
Brabant has occupied Hoepellok, |
half way on the road from Thaba /
N'Chu to Ladybrand.
There is not a word of news regard
ing Gen. Buffers movements or from /
the FAR western side. Nothing is
known, therefore, of the progress OF
the Mafeking relief column.
Maseru, BasutOland, May 11.-Brit-
ism forces from Thaba N'Chu, under
Gen. Rumble and Gen. Brabant, are re-
ported to have advanced toward ClO-
coloan and Platsburg. \ large COM
mandO of Beers has returned from i
the Korannaberg hills and is in readi-
ness to meet the British, but the
Beers are puzzled to know by which
route the British will appear.
Cape Town. May 11.-At the closing
of the volksraad Monday, May Z, Pres
ident Kruger cried out: God of the
Shall this be the final act?
No! 1t shall notI God will be mer-
ciful and strengthen the right. Ours
is the right" The president added
that he had documentary proofs of a
'devilish conspiracy to annihilate the