Evening journal., 1900-06-14
General Butler Is Pursuing a Force
Of 5000 Beers Who Have
Fifteen Guns
BUT -FOUR MILES INTERVENE
RHndle Warns Free StaterS That
They Must Surrender Tomorrow
Or COnfscatiOn Will Result

London. June 1.-THE dispatch from
Lord Roberts clearing up the situation
ht Pretoria and along the communica-
'iohs stands alone. Military observ-
ers, noting that no mention Is made
OF prisoners. assumes that Gen. De Wet
got away with his forces practically in
tact
According TO Lord Roberts dispatch
MS line OF communication has been
practically restored by means OF a
complete victory gained by Gen. Meth
uen and Gen Kitchener over Gen. De
Wet at the Rhenoster river June IL.
The Boer camp was captured and the
burghers. II is added. we're scattered In
all directions
Lord Roberts, on being notified OF
the cutting OF his line Of communica-
tions sent Gen. Kitchener In all haste
to join Gen. Methuen. June II Lord
Roberts attacked Gen. Botha, who was
IN strong force 10 miles southeast OF
Pretoria. After strenuous opposition
the British forces gained conslderable
ground, but Gen. Botha. when Lord
Roberts left the field, was stil -nnde-
fcated
All is quiet at Pretoria and Johan-
nesburg, and Lord Roberts saws the
government need have no apprehension
about the security OF the army In South
Africa, as II will not take long to reme-
dy the reverses and repair the railroad.
Gen. Butler entered Vollksrust yester-
day, passed through Charleston. and
encamped near Laings Mex. The tun-
mel was not much damaged. Both
ends were blown up, but the engineers
think that repairs can be effected In
about four days.
The advance troops OF Gen. Butler
saw the Boer rear guard, four miles
distant, yesterday II was estimated
that 5000 Beers were Withdrawing.
The townspeople at Edmelo counted
10 guns.
Three hundred Free Staters. released
from guarding Van Reenens Pass.
have gone 70 join President Steyn's
commando In the eastern part OF Or
ange River colony. Gen. Rumble has
sent notice to the Free Staters that.
unless they surrender by June Is, their
farms and other possessions will be
confscated.
Preident Kruger, according to a dis
patch from LOurenzo Marques. keeps
a locomotive with steam up attached
to the car In which he concentrates
the executive Offices OF the govern
ment, and that he intends to leave
Machadodorp soon and to establish the
ffansyaal capital at Mel Spruit, in the
mountains. a fine defensive region.
The state printing press Is oper-
ating at Machadodorp. producing leaf
lets containing war news for dlstribu-
tion among the Beers.
IL is again reported at Lourenzo
Marques that the British are advanc-
ing through Swaziland Lord Rob
erts, II appears. however, counter
manded the order given to strath-
cona's Horse TO land on the coast and
to penetrate to the Transvaal through
the Swazi country.
Mr.. Schreiner. the Cape premier. and
his colleagues resigned last evening.
Sir Alfred Miner accepting their
designations. The London papers
only recently abused Mr. Schreiner
Tor not making war preparations. Now
they are complimenting his refusal to
follow the majority of the Afrikander
ound In opposition to the British mill
tary policy.
Gen. Buffers casualties on June 10
have been issued by the war office.
They were 26 killed, 126 wounded and
-wo missing.