The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-28
ACROSS THE yAAL.
Lord Roberts Forces Are Now on the
North Side Of the River.
so MlLESfROM JOHANNESBURG
English Troops Are Deploying in the
Form Of q Crescent.
's''. q, At PRETORIA IS CRITICAL.
l,sss'a u,,,, ts,lssss
Kruger 1SNo Admits thai
Ma,l,. 200 ge.
INVENTIONS FOR BLOWING UP BRITISH
Have scbemes--So One willing
to BE First 10 Surrender.

London, May 2S, 800 a. m.--when Loid
Roberts wrote his first dispatch on Trans
yaal territory yesterday. shortly before
o'clock in the afternoon, he was fifty
one miles from johannesburg and seventy
seven miles from Pretoria. His i'm
mensely superior forces had passed the
vaai river, their last great natural OBJ
stacle at three points.
The vaal affords curve Of eighty
miles from Parys on the west to Second
drift on the east. The concave of the
curve is toward the Free State. Thus
Lord Roberts, advancing along the rail-
way. was in position to strike any part
Of the crescent by shorter lines than
those by which the Beers could rein
force the threatened points. The Beers
retreated almost without show of de-
Tense. General French and General
Hamilton apparently did not fire shot.
OF Lord Roberts immediate forces
eleven men belonging to the Eighth
mounted infantry were the first to ford
the river.
They came upon Boer patrol looting
at Viljoens drift and skirmish lasting
ten minutes followed. TWO hundred
Beers tried feebly to hold the vereninging
colliery, but they were dislodged
The Boer rear guard is at Moyerton. tea
miles south OF Nereninging. Their man
BODY is moving toward the Kip river hills
mat cover the south SIDE OF Johannes
burg.
While Lord Roberts 10000 infantry.
10000 horse and $50 guns are moving ON
Johannesburg and Pretoria, through a
parchsd and deserted country, the sit
uation at the Transvaal capital, as it
was last Friday, is thus described by an
observer who sent his message by pri-
vate hand TO Lourenzo Marquee yester-
day
The situation both from a military
and a political point of view has become
very critical. President Kruger yester
day admitted for the first time that mat
tiers are very grave. The Boer determi-
nation is to trust everything to a last
stand on the Gatzerand mountains, to the
north of Potchehstroom, where 1900 KAT
frs are digging trenches. To that point
| every available man and gun have been
sent.
"The whole of the western border of the
Transvaal from end to end is defenseless'
aud General Baden Powell can march in
when he likes.
Lord Roberts, on the other hand, will
encounter the greatest resis lance. The
Boer endeayor Is to lure the British into
appearing to threaten Johannesburg with
attack, an excuse thus being given them
for the destruction of property. The
Transyaal government will not dare de-
stroy the mines and property without any
excuse. Much dynamite has been sent
down the line and 100000 cases lie ready
at Zuurfontein. near johannesburg.
General Louis Botha and General Lucas
Meyer has pleaded for the preservation of
property. Both are large landholders
and fear confiscation. but they have not
| received satisfactory replies from Presi-
dent Kruger"
Meanwhile many French and German
aiventurers have come forward with
schemes and inventions for blowing up
the British troops.
Some of these have received tacit
permission to experiment. One German
invention is for use on railway. where
| 1t lies perfectly concealed until the
weight OF a passing train expiodes 1t.
General Meyer says surrender would be
at once proposed by the Beers but that
everybody foars the ignominy of being the
one TO make the proposal. He declares
that he Is assured that his men will not
stand. President Steyn and MIR. Reltz. the
Transvaal state secretary, are strongly
opposed TO peace, but MI. Kruger is not
so much against II"
President Krugers proclamation to the
burghers asking their votes for or against
continuing the war is understood to say
( that they can quit now with the prospect
OF retaining their farms or continue TO the
bitter end.
Rumors are current in Roberts army
thar the Beers intend to surrender. Sew
eral reports in the London papers state
that there are 10000 foreigners in the
Beer ranks, but this is hardly creiitable
The indications are that pitched battle
is imminent at Laings Mex where Gen,
eral Butler faces the Beers, reinforced
and seemingly determined with an esti-
mated strength OF from 5000 10 10000
The reinforcements include large parts
from Lsdybrand and fresh commandos
from Pretoria.
General Buffers ofhcers are doubtful
OF the ability OF the Beers to display the
same tenacity as in the fighting at Lady
smith.
The British are confident that when the
moment arrives they will be able to force
the passes
Two boxes Of dynamite fuses have oeen
found under the New Castle city hall
General Butler is causing numerous ar
rests OF suspected rebels Forty-two have
been sent TO Pietermaritzburg elr cav
thorpe. chemist. and his wife have been
arrested on charge OF high treason.
With we exception Of few shots n
the direction OF the retiring Beers az
veriningburg. the only ightins during the
last two days APPEARS 10 have been small
engagements in the eastern portion OF sne
Free State Al Fickshurg on Saturday
the Beers attacked the British. occupying
the town. hut they we're forced 70 retire