The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-23
TO MAKE A FINAL STAND
BOERS FORTIFYING AT PRETORIA
AND IN VICINITY OF JO-
HANNESBURG
NON-COMBATANTS
LEAVING
President Kruger Determined to
Resist to the End-Gen. Bull
Ier's Successes-PrisOn-
ers JOIIify.

LONDON, May 23.-The TransvaaI gov
ernment has informed the correspondents
at Pretoria that it has not considered and
does not intend to consider unconditionaI
surrender
Inc foregn consuls have been notified
that Johannesburg will be defended. and
the government has declared it will not
mold itself responsible for damages aris-
ing from the siege.
Pretoria dispatches affirm that Presi-
dent Kruger, President Steyn and all the
most prominent officials of both repub-
lies, after prolonged interchange nf
opinions, are determined to continue the
resistance, but that a minority Of the
leaders advocate surrender without
terms.
Mrs. Reitz, wife of the TransvaaI state
secretary, and her family, with the fam
lilies of other officials, have gone to Lou
renzo Marques. johannesburg AMI Pre-
toria are being cleared of non-combat-
ants. The Boer chiefs, who now recognize
the possibility that they will have to de-
fend these cities, are preparing with the
utmost haste. The Bo9r spirit has been
rising from a 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 P1 1esi-
dent Kruger seeks peace. According to
one account President Kruger surren6ers
Internationally; according to another, he
asks for terms. There 5eems to be good
endeavoring to secure terms, but cable
inquiries fail to confirm the assertion
that correspondence has recently parsed
between Great Britain and the Trans
V3al respecting terms. Lord Roberts is
again moving.
The British infantry left Kroonstad
Monday, and headquarters was expected
to leave today. The railway has been
restored and the first train is due to ar
rive today.
The Beers are busy blasting for mill ary
emplacement along the KhOIcn river.
Gen. DeWet commands, as Gen. Botha is
i'll, and the advance of Lord Roberts
will probably be swift. 1t is the ex-
pectation of we'll known observers that
the Vaal river, siXty-tive miles below
Kroonstad, will be crossed before the end
of the week.
BULLER'S MEN PRAISED
Sir Redvers Butler, in a general order
to his troops congratulating them on the
result on their ten days operations, says
they were only checked at Laing's Mex
by a fresh commando sent from the
Transvaal. Gen. Clery, with a cavalry
brigade, engaged the rear guard of the
Beers at Laing's Mex Sunday, captured
a number of wagons and took some pris-
ers. His artillery shelled the Mex The
Beers, in their retreat laid waste the ter
ritory, blew up bridges and burned several
houses, as many as six in Newcastle.
The machinery of the navigation collieries
was ruined.
Gen. Butler, replying to the residents of
Newcastle who presented to him a tro-
ply, said he expected to return from Pre-
tOria soon.
Nothing new concerning the relief of
Mafeking has come through. All accounts
Of the engagement on May 16 extoll the
bravery of the Canadians. Col Mahon' s
column arrived at the rendezvous one
hour after Col Piumer, showing with
what accuracy the movements had been
planned.
Sir Alfred Miner, in Cape Town Mon
day, before an enormous assembly cele-
brating the relief of Mafeking, referred To
the remarks of previous speaker. who
had condemned the Beers as "cowardfv-
scOundrels." He said:
There are many among our enemies
who deserve to be honored for their hero
ism. Although cases of treacherv and
barbarity have occurred, they have been
exceptional. The conduct of the enemy is
that of brave men fighting for bad
cause Yet they are entitled to respect. t"
one OF the morning papers suggests that
the men of England should present a