Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-29

LONDON, May 20, 8 a. m.--Lord Rob-
erts is now within a days march Of
Johannesburg and Gen. French and
Gen. Ian Hamilton fought the Beers
from noon until evening on Monday,
with what result is not known here.
Fl. j. Whigham in dispatch to the
Daily Mail dated May 2Sth. says:
"The decentralization of the Trans
vaal is remarkable Panic and con-
fusion prevails everywhere. Every
one is weary of the war and full of
fear as to the coming Of the British.
encircling Pretoria with telegraph COM
munications. Fourteen points in the
line of defenses were connected with
headquarters and with the Stats artil-
terry, but this apparently was the only
defensive measure adopted. There were
no other visible preparations.
mot much gold is likely to be found
in the treasury. The salaries of the
officials and judges have not been paid
only in national bank notes which will
be worthless when Lord Roberts arrives
The seat of government will be re-
moved to Waterfall Bovane, a small sta
tion on the Delagoa Bay railway line
and then if necessary to Lydenburg.
Both President Steyn and President
Kruger complain bitterly of Lord
Roberts unfair tactics in refusing to
meet the Beers in positions chosen by
them and in eternally turning them
by flank movements.
Around johannesburg few trench
es have been dug, but no other steps
have been taken for defense. The rail-
way line is blocked with refugees from
the west and southwest, who are pack
ed like sardlnes in trucks.
THE government is now endeavor-
them that the British will not outrage
and plumber them, but it is too late.
The previous misstatements are bring
ing their reward. Food is very scarce
and prices rule high. The proposal to
release the British prisoners of war
is due to this cause Members of the
government of the Volksraad express
approval of the proposal, but Presi-
dent Kruger is violently opposed to it.
"One form of Internal machine which
meets with much approval, is to be
laid under the rails of various lines.
A pressure Of some tons weight will
cause this to explode with most terri
Bile effect. Many OF these machines are
being made at the arsenal and great
caution will have to be employed in
neutralizing them.
There has been a decided change in
public opinion which has become quite
British. The Burghers on command
sing God Save the Queen" and they
cannot be stopped. All are sick of
warfare. In the towns the rabid anti
Englishism is less rampant People
are thinking of their property. The
party eager for surrender is now very
influential and includes the principal
leaders at the front. The intellingent
public feel that the game is up. False
news no longer has any effect and the
lying reports Of the newspapers are
universally disbelieved Although the
Nf ho hao l.
on news of all kinds recently everyone
believes the worst.
"The government has arranged to
continue the agitation against the Brit
lsh occupation of the two republics on
the continent of Europe, in Great
Britain and in the United States
Great efforts are to be made in this
direction and no expense will be spar
ed. / have excellent reasons for be-
lieving that the Bewaarplaatsen rights
have been sold to a French syndicate
without the sanction of the Volksraad.
The government hopes by this means
to bring about French Intervention for
the protection of French rights in the
Witwatersrand and thus to cause Eng
land grave difficulties.
The conduct of United States Con
sui Hay is admirably discreet. and
meets with universal praise alike from
Boer and British sympathizers.
Another dispatch from Lourenzo
Marques says:
Gen. Louis Botha is at Pretoria
urging President Kruger to arrange
peace terms. Runaway burghers from
Laings Mex passed through Heidelberg
last week. Wounded officials with
their families are leaving johannesburg
and Pretoria for Lydenburg. President
Steyn occupies the house of the British
resident at Pretoria.
Passengers arriving at Lourenzo
MARQUES Monday from Pretoria said it