The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-06-15
ROBERTS TAKES PRETORIA
British General Has Formal Posges-
sion Of Capital of the South
African Republic.
TERMS ARE REFUSED TO THE BURGHERs
Gen. B0tha Proposes an Armsitfce,
But the Reply Is That the Surren-
der Must BE UncOnditiOnal-Irish
Battalion Has to Give Up-Guer-
rilIa Warfare I'm Future.

London, June 6.-The war office has
received the following from Lord Rob-
erts:
Pretoria, June 5.-Just before dark yes
terday the enemy were beaten back from
nearly all the positions they had been
holding, and Ian Hamilton's mounted in
fantry followed them to within 1000 yards
of Pretoria, through which they retreated
hastily. De Lisle then sent an officer
with flag of truce into the town, de-
handing its surrender in my name.
Shortly before midnight I was awakened
by two officials of the South African re-
public, Sandberg, military secretary to
Commandant General Botha, and a gen.
eral officer of the Boer army who brought
me letter from Botha, proposing an
armistice for the purpose of settling the
terms of surrender.
Il replied that would gladly meet the
commandant general the next morning,
but that 1 was not prepared to discuss
any terms, as the surrender of the town
must be unconditional. 1 asked for re-
ply by daybreak, as I had ordered the
troops to march on the town as soon as
it was light.
I'm his reply Botha told me that he had
decided not to defend Pretoria, and that
he trusted women, children and property
would be protected. At one o'clock a m.
to-day, while on the line of march, I was
met by three of the principal officials.
with a flag of truce, stating their wish
to surrender the town. 1t was arranged
that Pretoria should be taken possession
of by her majesty's troops at two o'clock
this afternoon.
Mrs. Botha and Mrs. Kruger are both
in Pretoria. Some few of the British
prisoners have been taken away, but the
majority are still at Waterfall. Over a
hundred of the officers are in Pretoria.
The few have seen are looking we'll"
Irish Battalion Overwhelmed.
London, June 6.-Lord Roberts re-
ports to the war office that the. Thir-
teenth battalion of the Imperial Yeo-
many (Irish) was overwhelmed by
the Beers at Lindley." Lord Methuen
made magnificent march to the res
cue," but was too late.
Guerrilla Warfare.
johannesburg. June g. Everything
seems to indicate that for the future
the war will be merely police affair.
Probably not more than 10000 Beers
fore the Beers evacuated this place
Gems. Botha and Grobler Indicated that
they expected to confne their fighting
hereafter to side attacks.
Beers VIII Resist.
London, June THE Beers are pre-
pairing to fortify Lydenburg with the
evident intention of resisting Lord
Roberts further advance. The report
that Pretoria will be defended seems to
have been Boer ruse to cover their
retreat to Lydenburg. The insurrec-
ton is increasing in Cape Colony and
Warren's forces are believed to be in
danger.
Struggle just Begun.
London, June Slater details show
that the Beers took 1000 prisoners
from Pretoria and made orderly re-
treat with all their guns. The Beers
are said to be massed at Hatherley, IL
miles east of Pretoria. President
Kruger declares the government still
effective and the real struggle just be-
gun.
Roberts Still Silent.
London, June 9.-Lord Roberts has
communicated nothing for three days,
nor permitted the correspondents to
wire what is going on. London's in
ference is that he is resting, although
he is possibly disposing mis- army for
reach after Commandant Gen.
Botha. Gen. Butler, after a slight bat
tie, has obtained position which he
believes will render Laings Mex un-
tenable to the Beers.