Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-24
(By Telegraph to yIrginIan.p,,ot,


London May 24.-4:3O a. m.-Lord
Roberts is drawing near to the frontier
OF the Transvaal. His infantry masses
are thlrty-three miles north of Kroon-
stad, at the Rhonester river. Some
thousands of cavalry are already
across the river. The Beers are retir-
Ing toward the Vaal with their heavy
baggage. They are reported from Pre-
toria as already across that river.
twelve thousand men and four guns
compose the retreating army. Trains
continue to run from Veronniging, at
the Vaal. to Pretoria.
Foreign engineers assert that Pretoria
Is aple 10 stand years siege.s
BOER FORCES DWINDLING.
The Boer forces continue to dwindle,
some correspondents asserting that
only about twenty four thousand of The
hardest fighters yet remain.
Ii was announced at Pretoria Sunday
that the Government purposed remov-
ing the British prisoners from Pretoria
Lady Sarah Wilson cables: The
hShtinS before the relief was very hard
a severe struggle proceeded yesterday
GMay l6) from p. IN. until dusk. The
Boers were forced slowly to retreat
contesting every inch. AT sunset they
still held the last position.
Colonel Mahon entered the town in
the brilliant moonlight. The IHoers were
as tired out as we were and they never
guessed that an attempt would be
made TO force an entry before morn
ing. Therefore. their surprise was COM
picte. They deserted their laagers,
leaving n lot of food, which was dl-
v!ded up among the people of Mafe-
king"
DR.. Leyds. according to the Brussels
correspondent of the Daily Express. has
quarreled with the Transvaai Govern
ment. a representative OF President
Kruger Is alleged to have demanded an
accounting respecting (pounds) 100000
tS2 00O0) that has passed through DR..
Leyds hands. DR.. Leyds is said to
have replied that the money had all
been expended and to have expressed
Indignation when asked for an itemizee
statement
GONE TO EUROPE.
London. May 24.-The Lourenzo Mar
ques correspondent of the Times says:
Mrs. Reltz wife of the Transvaai State
Secretary, and her children have gona
to Europe on the Bundesrath, which il
believed TO have taken a large quantity
of bullion. and possibly several import
ant Boer politicians.
London, May 23.-1150 n. m.-The
War Office issues a dispatch from Lord
Roberts under date of Honngs Spruit,
May %, announcing the receipt by him
of the following message from Major
General Baden Powell:
"Mafeking. May III am happy to
inform you that Mafeking was success
fully relieved to-day. The northern and
southern columns Joined hands on May
10 and attacked the enemy yesterday,
and after small engagement entirely
defeated them with loss. The BRUSH
casualties were three killed and 90
wounded.
The relieving force marched into
Mafeking at nine this morning; and the
relief and defence forces combined and
moved out and attacked the enemy's
head laaGer. We shelled them out and
nearly captured Snyman, and took one
gun. flag and n large amount of am
munition. stores, etc. Five dead and Is
wounded Beers were found. The enemy
appears to be retreatng in all directions
except one commando, which is living
low. possibly to cover the retreat of the
remainder.
Captain MacLaren and Cornoral
Murray were found in the Boer hospital.
They are doing we'll. The town people
and the garrison of Mafeking are heart
fly grateful for their relief"
Lord Roberts dispatch further saws:
Ian Hamilton reached Hebron this
morning after series of engagements
with a Beer force under Dewet. who Is
retiring before him. Broadwood has
captured fifteen Boer wagons. There
have been seventy-five casualties in
Hamilton's force to yesterday evening.
We marched here this morning."
London, May 24.-8:14 a. ma dis
patch from Mafeking, dated May II, the
first message, except Colonel Baden