The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-05-12
FREE STATERS WANT TO QUIT.
MANY GIVING UP THEIR ARMS.
Are Unable to Get Along In Harmony
With the Transvaalers-Briti
Advance Goes 0n-No Reslstance Ii
Now Expected Till the vaal River
IL Reached.

Smalldeel, May l0.--It is reported that
the federals are quitting Zand river and
it is variously stated that they are re-
treating toward the Vaal and are making
up their positions at Boshrand, south of
kroonstad. Large numbers of the
burghers have come in and delivered their
Mausers and horses to the British. They
affirm that there is bitter quarrel be-
tween Free Staters and the Transvaalers
which is likely to end in the speedy sur
render of the former.
General French has arrived here.
Seat Of Government Moved.
London, May l0.--It is announced in
q special dispatch from Lorenzo Marquex
that the government Of the Orange Free
State has been moved from Kroonstad
to Heilbron.
HUT Little Resistance.
London, May lO.-Although the British
expected considerable opposition at the
difficult drift Of Zand river, the latest
advices from Smalldeel, Orange Free
State, indicate that the federals are not
yet ready to make a determined attack
to stem Lord Roberts advance.
The latter's front indeed is 30 wide
and so overwhelming in numbers that it
is difficult to see how the Beers can help
being ousted out Of Virginia Siding as
they were out Of Smalldeel, even If they
elect to give battle. The same con-
alterations would probably affect the
situation at Kroonstad. Hence the be-
lief that little real opposition will be en-
cOuntered south of the Vaal
Repairs to bridges over the Vet river
and Vaal are expected to retard the gen.
eral march from Smalldesl and Fourteen
Streams for three or four days when
General Butler will also be ready to
move.
The general idea is that General Rob-
erts will direct his efforts on Harri.
smith in order TO get In touch with the
Natal army coming through Van Reen'
ans pass.
A dispatch from Maseru, dated May T.
says the Beers have deserted both Lady.
brandt and Ficksburg in panicky con
dition, owing to reports that the British
had occupied Zeenikal, thus threaten
ing their retreat to the Transvaal.
Review of the Situation.
London, May 1.-THE crossing Of th'
Zand river by the British appears to have
been effected sooner than even the mos
sanguine expected, and now Lord Rob
erts' temporary headquarters is establish
ed in cable cart on the north bank o
the river, though the opposition the fed
erals are Offering shows that yesterday
report of the abandonment of their posi-
tions was illfounded.
Lord Roberts advance force, consist
ing of from 10000 to $4,000 mounted men
besides infantry, artillery and the nava
contingent, appears to be sufficiently pow
erful to overwhelm any opposition thu
burghers can offer.
Even though, as reported yesterday
they have been reinforced by 5000 mel
from other commando and possess scor'
OF heavy guns, the experts believe th'
opposition will not be prolonged longe
than is necessary to remove the guns ant
other impediments in the direction o
Kroonstad.
No Sale of Mining Rights.
Pretoria, May 1.-THE request of tn
government for permission to sell min
ing rights for prices which should be ap
proved by the government was rejecte'
by the raad by vote of IL to 0. Tn
session is closed.