The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-14
HEAVY FIGHTING NOW
IN PROGRESS IN natal
Indications That the Beers and General Buffers
Forces Are Now in Conflict.
British War Correspondents Declare That the War
Practically Over.

London, May 14-The Standard pub
fishes the following from Durham. dated
Sunday; There are persistent runors
here of heavy fighting in Natal. A Red
Cross train left last night for the
north"
4 dispatch to the Times from Kroon-
stad, dated Sunday, says: 1T is report
ed that President Kruger intends NOV
ing to Lydenburg as soon as ne is join
ed by President Steyn, who left yester-
day with General Botha. The country
between BOschDlatt and Kroonstad
might have been effectively held il the
spirit had been willing"
The war is practically over" says
the Daily Chronicles Kroonstad CORE
sDondent and. in less definite terms,
this is the view to be gathered from all
the correspondents. They picture the
Beers as utterly demoralized and dis
heartened by Lord Roberts unexDect-
eddy rapid advance, and by his facile
turning of the carefully prepared po-
sitiOns of the Beers.
There was practically no fighting, and
there are no further details to give re-
speeding the occupation of Kroonstad.
The correspondent Of the Daily Tele-
graph says:
The union jack was hoisted in the
market place by Mrs. LOckhead, the
American wife of a Scotchman. Most
of the horses of the Beers are in
wretched condition, but President
Kruger declares he viii continue the
war"
Beers Are Reinforced.
It appears that the Beers at Kroon-
stad had been reinforced by 5000 men
from Natal last Friday. and that alto
gether 10, 0G0, with twenty guns, trekked
from KroCustad on the approach OF
Lord Roberts.
The Beers made an Intellectual stand
at Boschrand, and had elaborate en-
trenchments IN front of KroOnstad,
which offered great facilities for rear
guard action. Their only anxiety, how
ever, appears to have been to get away
safely with all their guns and conveys,
which again they have successfully &C
complished. The few stores they were
unable to carry awGcJ they burned.
President Steyn is represented as
having been frantic with rage, and as
having kicked and cuffed the burghers
after vainly impIoripg them to continue
the fight.
Lori Roberts, after a march which is
regarded worthy of being ranked with
his famous march to Kandahar, mas
thus covered another stage Of his cam
paign. a stage which, although success
full and without the mistakes and mis-
fortunes that characterized the carrier
stages. leaves the Boer forces quite IN
tact, not having lost a gun, and having
lost very few men.
Experience has taught the critics 10
be chary of accepting reports of Boer
decentralization. The Times says: THE
signs point to military breakdown on
the part of the Beers, but, after ex-
periences of the past, we cannot accept
the reports of decentralization without
reserve. The game of war must De
strictly played out to the end
New Free State Capital.
Lindley. the new Free state capital
is forty-five miles southeast Of Kroon-
stad, half way to Bethlenem, ana vas
nrobably selected as a convenient rem
devious for the Commands now retlr-
ing before General Brabant and Cen
eraI Rumble in the Thaba NChu dis
trict. Brabant has occupied Hooper
lok. half way on the road from Thaba
N'Chu to Ladybrand
There is not a word of news regard
ing General Buffers movements, OF
from the far western side. Nothing IS
known. therefore, of the progress OF the
Mafeking relief column.
Inc LOuI6IlIO Nal QOS0 ~
dent of the Times, telegraphing sun
day. says: at is rumored that the
TransvaaI raad. in secret session, has
resolved to order all residents, ire
spective of nationality, to assist in the
defense of the republic, in accordance
with the terms Of the amended military
laws.
1.-THE Beers recognize that they are
now in the last extremity and all sorts
and conditions of men are being COM
Wandered. The merchants here have
protested against the stoppage OF a
consignment of clothing and corned
beef, of which the latter was purchased
in America. United States Consul Hol-