The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-05-19
KRooNsTAD FALLS.
City In Easily Occupied by the Drit-
hh = Free State Capital Re-
moved to Lindley.


has occupied Kroonstad, completing
what is believed to be the last impor-
tant step in the campaign in the Or
ange Free State. No opposition was
offered the imperial forces, the Beers
retiring before Lord Roberts arrived.
No battle of any magnitude is expected
south of the Vaal river, which forms
the boundary between the two repub-
lies, although President Steyn has is
sued a proclamation declaring the seat
of government of the Free State re-
moved to Lindley, As miles east of
Kroonstad.
Lord Roberts dispatch announcing
the capture of the burgher city de-
clares that he expects no more resist
ance in the Free State; that the Trans
vaal troops refuse to make another
stand outside of their own territory
and that the Free State Beers. in con-
sequence, holding themselves aban-
doned by their allies, will do no more
fighting.
This, by men in military circles. is
deemed great gain, although in real
ity II leaves the situation practically
as 1t would have been at the outbreak
of hostilities had the Free State de-
cided to remain neutral, as many be-
lieved that it would. In addition. the
British have to the south of their pres
ent position strong bodies of hostile
burghers, made up in large part of
Transvaalers. who still threaten the
lines of communication. T.
mn
The official report of Gen. Roberts.
telling of the entry into the Beers
former capital. is dated Kroonstad,
May IL. two p. m, and is as follows:
Il entered Kroonstad at 30 O'clock with
out opposition. to-day, when the union
Jack was hoisted. amidst cheers from the
few British residents
president Steyn fled last evening after
vainly endeavoring to persuade the burgh-
ers to continue opposing us. The Trans
walters said that they would no longer fight
on Orange Free State soil and made off for
the Vaal river. Free Staters accuse the
Transvaalers of having made use of them
and then DESERVING. Many of the Free
Staters have gone to their homes
The procession entering the town was
headed by my bodyguard. all of whom
were colonels, and after my staff and for
eign officers came the North Somerset i'm
perial yeomanry. followed by Pole Carew's
division. consisting of the guards and the
eighteenth brigade navals. the Eighty
third Eighty-fourth and Eighty-fifth bat
terfes. two five-inch guns, manned by the
Royal artillery company, and the Twelfth
engineers. The first Of the force encamped
around the town.
Before leaving Kroonstad President
Steyn issued proclamation making Lind
State.
Gems. Botha and De Wet accompanied
the Transvaalers."
London, May 14-"The war is prac-
tically over" says the Daily Chron-
iele's kroonstad correspondent, and.
in less definite terms, this is the view
to be gathered from all the corre-
spondents. They picture the Beers
as utterly demoralized and disheart-
ened by Lord Roberts unexpectedly
rapid advance and by his facile turn
ing OF the carefully prepared positions
of the Beers
There was practically no fighting,
and there are no further details to
give respecting the occupation of
kroonstad. The correspondent of the
Daily Telegraph says: 1.-The union
jack was hoisted in the market place
by Mrs. Lockhead, the American wife
of Scotchman. Most of the horses
of the Beers are in wretched condi-
ton. but President Kruger declares
he will continue the war" 1t ap-
pears that the Beers at Kroonstad had
been reinforced by 1900 men from
Natal last Friday. and that altogether
10000. with 20 guns, trekked from
Kroonstad on the approach of Lord
Roberts.
Lindley, the new Free State capital,
is As miles southeast of Kroonstad,
half way to Bethlehem, and was prob
ably selected as a convenient rendez-
vous for the commanders now retiring
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 Lady
brand.
There is not word of news regard
ing Gen. Buffers movements or from
the far western side. Nothing is known,
! therefore. of the progress of the Mafe-
king relief column.