New-York tribune., 1900-03-17
EMOTION IN BLOEMFoNTEIN.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE OCCUPATION
OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE CAPITAL.

y.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE OCCUPATION
OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE CAPITAL.
Bloemfonten. Tuesday. March 13-As Lord
Roberts was being conducted to the town to-
day by the deputation of officials which had
gone out 10 meet him. he was greeted by great
crowds Of people, cheering and waving hand
kerchiefs and displaying the utmost enthusi-
and cordiality
LORD Roberts first entered the Market SQUARE
thence proceeded to the Parliament House and
from there TO the Presidency which he entered
ifoin lle front The garden OF the late Presi-
dents pretty house was instantly entered hv
the crowd, which broke out with tremendous
energy into God Save the Queen" All stood
rlglc, the civilians removing their hats Then
the cheering renewed Meanwhile Lord
George Scott bent Lady Robertss pretty union
jack, with a four-leafed shamrock emhroidered
In the corner, TO the halyards and as it rose
over the Presidency the crowd caught sight Of
Hhe grim looking cavalry escort before them
ard spontaneously roared forth the songs
Tommy Atkins and Soldiers of the Queen. -
Immediately after the ceremony was over
Lord Roberts appointed General Prettyman
Governor and then visited the Jail where he re-
leased four prisoners who had refused to fight
against the British. Then that portion of the
troops necessary to man the northern heights
began TO march through the town amid the
CHEERS Of the people. When the horse batteries
passed the contrast between the well fed citf-
zens and the exhausted and worn out gunners
who sat their horses and caissons without a.
sign OF emotion, most striking
BY this time the plain outside the town was
gradually filling with infantry regiments and
immense transport conveys, which seemed to
overrun the plain like water Gradually out Of the
chaos order emerged. each brigade and trans
port establishing itself in its proper position in
long straight lines, miles in extent. From the
hlSher kopje near the town to far beyond could
be perceived a long yellow serpent representing
regiment after regiment of khaki clad troops
marching on the town
General Joubert expected here early in
the morning, but the blowing up of the line
north OF the town prevented his coming. He
remains at Brandfort with two thousand Ma
taiers.
The Free Staters south of here are reported
TO be rapidly returning to their farms.
General Grobelaar is attempting to escape to
the north. He has a large command and big
convoy of supplies.
The majority of the townspeople anticipate
that the Free Staters will offer no further re-
sistance.
Bloemfontein, March 15-General Prettyman
is succeeding admirably Governor of the
town. He issued a proclamation to-day re-
questing the burghers within a radius of ten
miles to deliver up their arms assuring them
they would be paid for the confscaton of their
property.
Lord Roberts is about to issue fresh procla-
nations, which. it is considered, will have the
effect Of disarming further opposition upon the
part Of the Free Staters.
Mr.. Ceilings has been appointed Landrost
vice Pappenfus. deposed, and Mr. Frazer will
act Mayor
Great quantities of stores captured at Was
serfall have been recovered AS the result OF
Hunter-W -Westons line cutting, the British have
secured twenty-six engines. and the line has
been cleared to the Kaffir River.
Rumors current that ex-President Steyn
IS willing to surrender.
Much unrest exists among the Dutch popula-
tion. The burghers described the soldiers as
locusts, saying they innumerable and Of
identical color with them.
London, March 16.-Lord Roberts's success in
handling the civil problems at Bloemfontein
and the manifest equanimity with which the
residents of the capital of the Orange Free
State accept the British occupation momen-
tariIy eclipse IN interest the military situation.
1t is believed here that the Commander-n-C Chief
Of the British forces in South Africa will soon
push 10 Pretoria, but Great Britain is quite
content TO listen for a few days to the acclama-
tions OF the people of Bloemfontein and permit
the troops to enjoy a few days rest before ex-
pecting further success.
Lord Roberts made a quaint speech to the
Guards at Bloemfontein to-day when in his
first congratuatory words he expressed pride
in their splendid march of thirty-eight miles in
twenty-eight hours. and gave ample assurance
OF his ultimate design. Through a small mis-
take" said Lord Roberts, Il have not been able
10 march into Bloemfontein at the head of the
brigade, 1 intended. / promise you. however
that / will lead you into Pretoria"
General Gatacre is holding Bethulie and the
whole line of the railroad south of Bloemfontein
is now in the hands Of the British, and, Gen
eral Brabant's column having crossed the Or
anFe River after a forced march at Aliwal
North Sunday, General Clementss column
being across az NanZyl. the three columns will
form army of twelve thousand TO fifteen
thousand men, which is expected to replace the
forces OF Lord Roberts at Bloemfontein he
pushes northward. Just where the Beers will
attempt to oppose that march is an important
question. but IL cannot be easily answered until
General Joubert IS more definitely located