The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-03-22

London, March 1S.-With the railway
communication TO the Cape intact,
Lord Roberts will in a very few days
be in a position to begin the advance
on Pretoria. His deep political intu-
ition, combined with his bold strategy,
Is having the result desired i'll the
southern sections of the Orange Free
State, which are rapidly calming down.
Mafeking is now the only point foi
anxiety, and as it is known that
force has left Kimberley, its relief may
be announced before many days pass.
The efficiency Of the relieving column
IL heightened by the fact that it is
partly composed of regulars.
In the Hobbies of parliament last
evening il was rumOred that Lord
Roberts is about to issue proclama-
ton announcing that the former sys-
fem Of government in the Orange Free
State is abolished and promising Free
Staters who Immediately surrender due
consideration.
1t is understood that all the CONT
mental powers, with one exception,
lncompromisingly refused to intervene.
The exception was Russia whose reply
was couched iii less firm language, al
though, like the others, she declined TO
interfere. 1t is said that the pope was
also appealed TO, but that he declined
TO do anything beyond writing a letter
to the queen, appealing to her to stop
the further
Efusisn of Blood.
DR.. Leyds' efforts with King Leopold
were quite futile. The possibility Of
the destruction of Johannesburg is
still discussed here, but it is believed
that the French and German share
holders would offer strong protest.
Fhe latest advices respecting the sur
render of Bloemfontein show that the
approach of the British caused STAN
pede. Thirteen trains, each composed
Of forty cars and all crammed with
Beers, hurried northward just before
the line was cut. Mr. Sreyn would
have been compelled to surrender, but
he pretended that he was going to
visit one of the outposts, and at mid
night took carriage which was wait
Ing for him outside the town and thus
escaped. The Beers got the bulk of
their wagons and military stores away.
Gen. Hector Macdonald's wound has
nearly healed. He accompanied the
brigade TO Bloemfontein.
Lord Roberts comments upon the
earlier operations of the war In the
London Gazette, and his absolute ST.
lence respecting Lord Methuens dis
patch is regarded as very significant.
The Times observes that this silence
Is, perhaps, more significant than
words, especially when connected with
the fact that Lord Methuen no longer
takes any prominent part in the cam
paign.
Reported by Lord Roberts.
London, March 1S.-Lord Roberts has
sent the following dispatch to the war
office, dated at BloemfOntein Friday:
Gen. Clements crossed the Orange
river yesterday. Repairs to the rail-
way bridge at Norvalspont have com.
menced and II will shortly be ready for
traffic Gen. Pole-Carew telegraphs
his arrival at Springfontein, so that
Bloemfontein now is practically in rail
communication with Cape Town. Ny
proclamation is already having an ex-
cellent effect. Several hundred burgh-
ers have expressed their intention to
surrender their arms and return to
their occupations. The resident com.
missioner of Basutoland reports that
500 Boers lately arrived from BlOem-
fontein. and that a further contingent
from Aliwalnorth was only waiting to
know the terms Of my proclamation OF
surrender. They had refused to at
tend council ut Kroonstadt, to which
President Steyn had summoned them.
Beers Had Fled.
Bethulie, o. +. s., March 1S.-Gen.
Gatacre, on arriving here. found that
all the Beers had fed The town was
nearly deserted, the Dutch having
trekkeG on hearing Of the occupation
Of Bloemfontein. 1t Is believed that
the Beers retired In the direction of
Dewetsdorp. The telegraph is open to
Springfontein. 1t Is understood here
that President Kruger two days ago
annexed the Orange Free State to the
South African republic.
Admit Their Ca.se In Hopeless.
London, March 1S.-The Daily Mail
has the following dispatch from
Lourenzo Marques, dated Friday: I'm
trenching Is proceeding on the yaal
river at Vereeyng. Late arrivals from
Pretoria say that the Beers themselves
now admit that their cause is hopeless.
Gen. Lucas Meyer refuses to fight
again and has returned to his farm.
Gen. Schalk-Burger has also returned
and the burghers are going home by
hundreds"