The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-06-08

LONDON. June 5.-Almost eight months
after the declaration of war, Lord Rob.
erts has entered Pretoria. While tho
COMMUNICATIVE chief of the greatest army
Great Britain ever put in tho field wai
fulfilling the promise he made to the
guards at Blocmfontcin, to lead them
into the capital of tho Transvaal, Ems.
land was celebrating the event with
wild enthusiasm. Throughout the length
and breadth of the country the ncws
spread.
Based on tho recollection OF recent
European wars, when the occupation OF
the enemy's capital significd the end OF
hOStilities, Lord Roberts tcrsc telegram
was taken to mean the practical finish
of the war, which has tried Great Brit
aims military resources as they wcrc
never tried before.
In London, the Mansion House and
the war office almost inStnntancOuSly
became the centcrS for jubilan; throngS.
Flags appeared as if by magic and traffic
had to be diverted through Other streets.
Hatless and coatlcsS Men and boys ran
through the city alleys TO see for them
selves the bulletins announcing the news
and staying to join in the cheers or add
their voices to the joyful throng singing
"God Save the Queen" Hats hoistcd
from thousands of heads were waved in
exultant hands and Shimmercd like
coal bed in the sun. Other men Oil top
of omnibuses and aldermen from the
windows of the Mansion House en-
couraged the crowds to still further
efforts.
The premature report of the fall of the
Beers stronghold did not take the edge
off the celebration. Lord Roberts Six
Miles Spruit dispatch was hardly printed |
by the "extras" before the union jack of
the war office was hauled up and the
brief message was passed from mouth TO
mouth Pretoria is occupied"
Those who had had chance to read |
Lord Roberts account of the resistance |
encountered were at that moment COM |
menting on the probability of fiGrcc |
fight before the city was occupied and |
wondering at the Beers capabilities 10 |
make such n determined stand when |
Pretoria was hemmed in on all sides. |
The pressure of General French north |
OF the Boer capital came as surprise |
and explains Roberts telegram.
Beers Fight Desperately.
1t was evident Lord Roberts DELAYED |
attacking until all his columns were |
ready to CO operate but even when Lord |
Roberts wired last night there seemed |
some possibility of some fighting, so |
when the next momentouS dispatch was
given out it came as surprise.
Judging from Lord Roberts phrase |
ology the occupation of Pretoria was not
accompanied by any loss of life. What |
has happened to the Bocr forces which |
opposed the British can only be sur
missed. But it is presumable they have
got away for the present at any rate.
The latest dispatches from Pretoria,
dated June 3, quote General Botha as
saying:
$50 long as we can still count OH our
thousands of willing men we must not
talk of treaty or throwing away our in
dependence.
Botha, it is added, annulled the rcgu.
lations, appointing special committee |
to preserve order, substituting military
control for that Of the committee.
General Lucas Myer addressed the |
burghers OH the church square, urging
them all to stand fast. Although their |
efforts were pitifully futile, it is evident
that few faithful Boer generals worked |
desperately to resist the overwhelming,
force of Lord Roberts army. The war
office has information that one of the
first things done by Lord Roberts af.er
the occupation of Pretoria was to direct
General French to relieve :ne British
prisoners confined at Waterfall.