The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-23

LONDON. May %. $3.50 a. m.-No later
advices have been received regarding the
invasion of the Transvaal than the dispatch
from Cape Town dated Monday. which
said: British troops have arrived at
Vereeniging in the Transvaal. north Of
the vaal river. The bridge across the vaal
was found to be intact. Twenty-seven
Free State and Transvaal locomotives were
captured"
The Transvaal government has informed
the correspondents at Pretoria that 1t has
not considered and does not intend to con-
slider unconditional surrender, but will fight
to finish. The foreign consuls have been
informed that johannesburg will be de-
Tended and the government announces that
it will not hold itself responsible for in
jury to person or property resulting from
the defense measures.
Pretoria dispatches affirm that President
Kruger. President Steyn and all the most
prominent leaders of both Republics, after
a prolonged interchange of views, are de-
termined to continue the resistance, but
that a minority OF the leaders advocate
surrender without terms.
Mrs. Reitz. wife of the Transvaal State
secretary, and her family. with the families
of other officials. nave gone to Lourenzo
Marques. Johannesburg and Pretoria are
being cleared OF non-combatants. The Boer
chiefs. who now recognize the possibility
that they will have to defend the cities,
are preparing with the utmost haste. The
Boer spirit has been raising from low ebb
and Is now ready for a steadfast resistance.
Nevertheless, according to the Daily
Chronicle, long messages in Dutch have
been received by the British government
by way of Amsterdam. in which President
! Kruger seeks peace. According to one ac-
count, President Kruger surrenders uncon-
ditionally; according to another he asks
| for terms. There seems to be good reason
for believing that he is earnestly endeavor-
ing to secure terms, but cable inquiries
fail to confirm the assertion that CORES
pondence has recently passed between
Great Britain and the Transvaal respecting
| terms.
ROBERTS ADVANCING.
Lord Roberts is again moving. The
British infantry left Kroonstad on Monday
| and headquarters was expected to leave
yesterday. The railway has been restored,
and the FIRST train is due to arrive to-day.
The Beers are busy blasting for gun en-
placements along the Rhenoster river Gen.
De Wet commands, General Botha is III.
The advance Of Lord Roberts will prob
| ably be swift. 1t is the expectation of well
informed observers here that the Vaal
river. eighty-five miles below Kroonstad
| will be crossed by the end of the week.
Sir Redvers Butler. in general order to
| his troops congratulating them on the re-
an da fb
were only checked at Laing's mex by a
| fresh commandant from the Transvaal
General Clery with a cavalry brigade, en-
gagged the rear guard of the Beers at
Laing's mex on Sunday, captured number
| of wagons and took some prisoners. His
| artillery shelled the mex. The Beers In
| their retreat laid waste the territory, blew
| up bridges and burned several houses as
many as six in Newcastle. The machinery
of the navigation collie-ies was ruined
| General Butler, replying to residents OF
| Newcastle. who presented to him trophy
said he expected to return from Pretoria
soon.
| Nothing new concerning the relief OF
| Mafeking has come through. All the &C.
| counts of the engagement on May 16 exto
| the bravery of the Canadians. Colonel Ma
| hons column arrived at the redezvous one
| hour after Colonel PIumer, showing with
what accuracy the movements were timed
| Sir Alfred Miner. speaking at Cape Towr
| on Monday before an enormous assemblage
celebrating the relief Of Mafeking, referred
/ TO the remark OF a previous speaker who
had condemned the Beers as 'cowardly
| scoundrels." He said: There are many
among our enemies who deserve to be hon.
| ored for their heroism Although cases oi
| treachery and barbarity have occurred
| they have been exceptional. The conduct
| of the enemy is that of brave men fightine
| for bad cause. Yet they are entitled tc
respect"
| One of the evening papers suggests thai
the men Of England should present a swort
| to Lady Sarah Wilson. the Daily Mail.
correspondent at Mafeking during the
| siege.
| The Durham correspondent OF the Times
telegraphing Tuesday, says: REV. Adrian
| Hofmeyer tells me he was informed by
| high Boer official that when Presiden
Kruger notified the Raad Of the govern
ments arrangements TO blow up the mines
and to destroy johannesburg. Gen. Loui
Botha hurried to Pretoria and had a storm,