New-York tribune., 1900-05-28
CROSSED RIVER UNOPPOSED
BOERS WITHDRAW BEFORE THE AID
VANCING BRITISH COLUMNS.
Copyright; 1900: BY The New-York TribuneI
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl

LBY CABLE TRIBUNEI
London, May 2S, / a. m.-Belated dispatches
received in Fleet Street at midnight confirmed
previous official reports of the advance of Lord
ltUoertss army 10 the yaaI without throwing
much light upon the situation. The passage of
the river was virtually unopposed. and the
centre and two wings probably halted Sunday
the Transvaal frontier, after a series of IA
tiguing marches The destruction of the rail-
way has been complete that this halt may
continue for several days, until transport diff
culties be overcome. The Transvaal burgh-
ers are reported 10 be holding strong defensive
positions between Heidelberg and the railway
near Kip River Station, and there are several
commanders at Potcnefstroom on the flank.
The Free State burghers have not retired across
the Vaal. but lowering about Frankfort
and watching for a favorable opportunity for
raiding the lines of communication. Whether
President Steyn has proclaimed fifth capital
is uncertain But only three out of nineteen
districts or shires, of the Free State remain in
possession of his burghers. These are Vrede.
Bethlehem and Harrismith. General Rumble
holds the line between Wlnburg and Ficksburg
and prevents communication the flank be-
tween the northern and southern districts. and
while the Boer commanders are again reported
Pretoria 10 have reoccupied Hebron and
TO have followed General Roberts Wolve
Hoek the nlanoeuVre does not appear to have
been anything more than a hunt for conveys
The passage OF the Vaal is conceded at Pre-
toria, and there are vague reports. probably
premature, that President KRUGER has pro-
claimed a referendum by which the Beers may
decide whether the war shall continue peace
be made. There are similar rumors from Win
burg respecting De Vets intention to propose
terms Of surrender. Little Importance is at
tached 10 these stories by the London press
"a
tonal terms, without a convention of any kind.
The War Office gave out short bulletin from
General Roberts at midnight, with the date line
'Vereeniging." The infantry, following the
railway. crossed the VaaI yesterday and
camped on the north bank What was de-
scribed last October as a promenade through
the Free State has beer finished, and the pas
sage Of the Naal has been effected with only
four casualties A good deal however. has
happened since October. General Roberts's
reference 20 Hebron serves to explain the Pre-
toria accounts Of the reoccupation of the town
by the Beers. The telegraph operator had
been captured there after the British forces had
been Withdrawn. This incident proves that
Hamilton's column takes conveys with st. and
is not dependent upon lines of communication
in its rear
The narrow escape Of the coal mines from
destruction arouses suspicion among South
Africans that johannesburg will be in ashes
"hen General Roberts enters the city. and that
immense losses viii be sustained by mining
properties
there is no information respecting General
BuAer's movements. and nothing from Mafek-
ing except official announcement that SUD-
plies are coming in from BuIuwayo
The drawing rooms yesterday were filled with
pohiieai gossip. as the Conservative clubs had
been the previous night There is general
agreement among Unionist members of Parlia-
Inent that the elections viii be ordered during
the autumn. bat steps will be taken until
1>'fo Roberts is in Pretoria. He has been an
'ec|oneering agent for the Unionist Govern
Ihehl and has done his work so well that the
general elections are hot likely 10 he deferra6
'N@ii ''cuoptr l. n. F.