The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-28
Entire Western Portion
Unprotected.
A Pitched Battle Imminent at
Laings Mex.

London, May 2S, 80 a. m.-When Lord
Roberts wrote his first despatch on Trans
vaal territory yesterday, shortly before
two o'clock in the afternoon, he was 6l
miles from johannesburg and "a from
Pretoria. His immensely superior forces
has passed the Vaal river, their last
great natural obstacle at three points.
The Beers retreated almost without a
show of defense. General French and
General Hamilton apparently did not
fire a shot. OF Lord Roberts immediate
force eleven men, belonging to the eighth
mounted infantry, We're the first to ford
the river. They came upon Boer patrol
looting at Viljoens Drift, and skirmish
lasting ten minutes followed.
The situation at the Tfansyaal capital,
as--it was last Friday, Is thus described by
an observer who sent his message by pri-
vate hand TO Lourenzo Marques, yester-
day:
1.-The situation, both from a military
and political point of view, has become
very critical. President Kruger yesterday
admitted for the first time that matters
ton Is to trust everythin g 70 last stand
on the Gatsrand mountains, to the north
of Potchefstroom, where 5000 Kaffirs are
digging trenches. To that point every
available man and gun have been sent.
1.-THE whole Of the western border of
the Transvaal from end TO end is defense
less; and Gen eral Baden-Powen can
h.. Ifl-ar aPd Rnhapts
on the other hand, will encounter the
greatest resistance. The Boer endeavor r Is
to lure the British into appearing to
threaten Johannesburg with attack, an
excuse thus being given them for the
destruction of property. The Transvaal
government will not dare destroy the
mines or property without an~excuse.
Much dynamite has been sent down the
line and 100000 cases lie ready near
Johannesburg.
General Louis Botha and General
Lukas Meyer have pleaded for the preser-
walton of property. Both are large landed
proprietors and fear confiscation.
General Lucas Meyer says surrender
would be at once proposed by the Beers
but that everybody fears 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 Mr..
Reitz are strongly opposed to peace, but
Mr.. Kruger is not so much against it.
President Kruger's 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 con-
tinue to the bitter end. Rumors are cur
rent in Lord Roberts army that the
Beers intend to surrender.
1.-The indications are pitched battle
is imminent at Laing's Mex, where
General Butler faces the Beers, reinforced
and seemingly determined with an esti-
mated strength of from 5000 to 10000
men. The reinforcements include a large
party from Ladybrand and fresh COM
mandoes from Pretoria.
"With the exception of few shots ex-
changed with the retiring Beers at
Vereeniging the only fighting during the
last two days appears to have been two
small engagements in the eastern part Of
the Free State
A Cape Town correspondent says:
"United States Consul General Stowe
is about TO visit Lord Roberts, though
whether out of personal curiosity or
with some official purpose, has not been
made known here"