The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-15

London. March 14.-It is officially an
nounced that Lord Roberts has. occu-
pied BlOemfontein. and that the British
flag is flying from the top Of the capitol
The following is the text Of Lord Rob-
erts' dispatch 10 the war Office an
nouncing his occupation of Bloemfon-
teir:
Bloemfontein, March Is. S p. My
the help of God and by the bravery of
her majesty's soldiers, the troops under
my command have taken possession of
Bloemfontein- The British flag now
flies over the presidency. evacuated last
evening by Mr.. Steyn. late president of
the Orange Free State. Mr.. Frazer,
member of the late executive govern
ment. the mayor, the secretary TO the
late governor. the landrost and other
officials met me two miles from the
town and presented me with the keys
/ of the public Offices.
THE enemy has Withdrawn from the
neighborhood, and all seems quiet The
inhabitants Of Bloemfontein gave the
troops a cordial welcome"
The above dispatch, though dated
Tuesday. was not received at the war
Office until 1880 p. m. Wednesday. 1t
was made public a few minutes before
8 o'clock.
The delay is attributed to the field
telegraphs not being connected with
Boemfontein on Tuesday evening.
Feeling of Relief.
Lord Roberts dispatch caused a
feeling OF great relief. The absence of
the news. eagerly looked for. had pro-
voked some apprehension during the
earlier part of the day, that the British
had met a check before Bloemfontein.
and anxious inquiries were made at the
war office and in the Hobbies Of parlia-
ment.
On the reception of the news the
queen, at Windsor castle. the Prince
of Wales, at Marlborough House, Lord
Wolseley and others were Immediately
notified. but at O'Clock the war Office
was almost deserted, the public having
given up hope of further news until to
morrow Thursday. The appearance
Of the newspapers with the tidings
caused great excitement along Pail
Mall. at the service clubs and in the
west end generally Owing TO the late
hour. however. there was no demon
stration approaching the slightest de-
gree those heraldIng the surrender Of
Cronje and the relief Of Ladysmith.
1t 50 happened that torchlight pro-
cesSion. organized on an extensive scale
for the widows and orphans fund, was
parading south London with bands and
banners. This included a body of uni
formed men representing the British
field forces. the surrender Of Cronje and
other inspiring incidents. The route
was hung with flags and stands were
erected at numerous points for sDecta-
tore. Naturally the appearance Of the
extra editions of the evening papers
created a furOre OF enthusiasm among
the paraders, who greeted the news
with cheers and the singing Of the ma
tional anthem.
Joy at Windsor.
At Windsor the news was received
with much joy. The queen demanded
that it be Immediately published. and
she instructed her equerry at the din
ner table TO send a note to the officers
Of the household brigade. The battal-
ion was called on parade at 1918 p. m.
Major St Aubyn read her majesty'c
note and called for cheers for the queen
and Lord Roberts. The band played
God Save the Queen"
The lord mayor announced the news
at banquet to the masters Of the city
companies which was in progress at
Mansion House. 1t was received with
great cheering, the company rising and
singing God Save the Queen
A dispatch 10 the Daily Chronicle
from Bloemfontein, dated Tuesday
evening. March Is, says: 'Bloemfon-
TEN surrendered at 10 today. It was
occupied at noon. President Steyn, with
a majority Of the fighting burghers, has
fed northward
General French was within five
miles of the place at 3 O'Clock Monday
afternoon. He sent a summons into the
town, threatening to lombard unless il
surrendered by 4 a. m. Tuesday. A
white flag was hoisted Tuesday morn
ing and a deputation of the town coun-
ell, with the mayor. came out 10 meet
Lord Roberts at Spitzkop. five miles
south OF the town, making a formal
surrender Ct the place.
Made a State Entry.
Lord Roberts made a state entry at
noon. He received a tremendous ova-
ton After visiting the public build
lngs he went TO the official residence of
the president. followed by a cheering
crowd. who waved the British flag and
sang the British national anthem.
They We're in a condition OF frenzied
excitement
"On Monday afternoon, previous TO
the surrender. there had been a little
snlplng and Smelling. but the enemy
then retired. Lord Roberts has head
quarters at the presidents house, and
there are many of the British wounded
in the building"
The first half Of the campaign is
over Lord Roberts arrived at MOdder
river on Feb. 8. He entered Rloemfon-
TEN on March Is. Thus, in little over a
mouth. he has effected the relief of
kimberley and Ladysmith, the capture
OF General Cronje's forces and the
hosting of the flag in the capital of the
Free State All this has been accom-
phshed with comparatively trifiing
losses.
1t is small wonder that he is the hero
Of the hour in England. Al the news