The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-20
THE BRITISH REJOICING
AT THE UNEXPECTEDLY FAVORABLE
TURN OF EVENTS.
THE ENTRY INTO BLOEMFONTEIN
General Roberts Goes In State and
Takes Possession-The Burghers Re-
eve at Presence of British Soldiers.
Formalities OF the Surrender-To In
wade Transvaal with an
Army Hard Fighting Not Yet Over.
Boers E1assing Their Troops.

Doors hfassing Their Troops.
London March 16, 5 a. m.-EventS
are n-oyios in the South African cam
paiGr in a speedy and satisfactory
HIanner, from 18th the military and
polit cal points Of view. 1t could hard
ly have been expected by the most san
guine Englishmen that they would
take a turn so favorable. 1t appears
that when Major Weston cut the rail-
way north of B~oemfontein he thereby
intercepted General Joubert, who, far
from having retired from the campaign
was then coming southwark with 5000
men. presumably to super1ntend the
defense. Elaborate defense works three
miles long had been prepared outside
the town
No Boo wounded were left in BIoem-
fOntein. When asked the reason by
Lord Roberts, Mr.. Frazer replied: The
burghers do not like fish, and would
not care I'D go to Cape Town"
The evidence goes to show that so
far as the southern part of the Free
State is concerned, there will be no
further resistance. 1t is understood
that Frazer and Vessel and other lead
ers are quite prepared to accept the po-
sition Of a self governing British col
Ony-
The cheers which greeted the reading
in parliament yesterday of the CORE
spOndence with the United States re-
echoed throughout the country
The speech of NJ. Del Casse has in
creased this satisfaction. and, taken
with the general belief hat Emperor
Nicholas is personally averse to any
Intervention. these incidents spread the
idea that there will be no further Sc
riOus attempt to interfere from any
quarter.
Mr.. Montague Whites threat in an
American that the Beers
Will sacrifice johannesburg ana raZe ii
to the ground if necessary is not taken
very seriously. Mr.. Chamberlain's
statement that President Kruger has
already been warned as to the conse-
quence of such d is regarded as
showing hat sufficient p~recaution has
been taken The Times suggests that
burghers should be warned that their
farms will De taxed as a guarantee
against any damage to British proper
ty. but no serious approximations are
entertained of such conduct as Mr..
White is said to have fOreshadowed. J.
b. Robinson, the millionaire mine
owneE. zys he does not believe the
Beers would be so foolish.
By the time Lord Roberts reaches the
Wal river he will m some So
800 men. while General Butler will have
10000. From the military point of view
the critics 10y think there is nothing
to fear.
London. March 15.-At precisely 1870
o'clock Tuesday afternoon a Union
Jack. specially made for this purpose
by Lady Roberts, was hoisted over the
presidency at Bloemfontein, amidst the
acciamations of the commander-in-
ahFaF~D hnNRnIfnnS IN urhinh nrrrinr0lu
enough. the Orange Free State burgh-
ers appear TO have Joined with re-
markabIe he~artiness.
The opposition to the entry of the
British troops into the capital was in
significant. Beers were found occupy
ing a few hills south of the place, but
a few shells drove them off and at
10 O'Clock in the mOrning some news
paper respondents entering the
town. found Mr.. Frazer and other Off
ciais and guided them to where Lord
Roberts stood on top of a hill, waiting
for them.
As spokesman. Mr.. Frazer asked pro-
lection for life and property and sur
rendered the keys.
ROBERTS ENTERS INTO BLOEM-
FONTEIN.
Lord Roberts. accompanied by his
stan. at the head of a cavalcade a
mile long. rode to the presidency, re-
CeiNlng an ovation throughout the
route. eliminating in a DEM
onstration at the market square.
Reaching the government buildings,
Lord Roberts took possession of the
city in the name of the queen n then
repaired To the presidency, where the
ceremony of hosting the Union Jack
ended forever, according to universal
opinion here. the BOer government of
the Free State.
During his progress through the
town. Lord Roberts stopped and order
ed the instant replacement of goS1s
which were being looted from the ar
tiIlery barracks by Kaffirs, thus Civ
ing the pOpulaCe an earnest assurance
of the treatment they might expect
from the yiCtOrS.
president STEYN A NONEN-
TITY."
President Steyn fled to KronStadt
without replying to Lord Roberts de-
maud for his surrender. n the com
mander-in-chief remarked, afterwards
during the course of a conversation
while bTeakfasting at the farm of Pres
ident Steyn'S brother. that the "ex-
president" had become a n~onentity.'
The British troops, with the eXcep
ton of those necessary to police the
town. remain outside.
The press dispatches giving most o.
the above interesting details, also set
tie the point raised about the cutting
of the railroad and telegraph north o.
Bloemfontein showing it was a plucky
act. Major Hunt Weston, of the Roy
al engineers, accompanied by ten men
~traversed the Boer lines and succeeded
in cutting the wires and blowing VI
the tracks.
BIoemfontein is now regarded Their,