The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-05-25
.MAF[K|NG FREE At LAST.
Information That the Long Siege
Has Been Abandoned Is Re-
ceived in London.
BoER FORCES RETIRE UNDER HEAVY FIRE
Reception Of the News in London Oc-
casionx scenes of Widest En- thusi-
asm-Great Crowds Fiji the Air
with Cheers-FOrces Under Gen.
Butler Occupy Newcastle.

with Cheers-FOrces Under Gen.
Butler Occupy Newcastle.
Pretoria, May 19.-It was officially
announced Friday that when the
laagers and forts around Mafeking
had been severely bombarded the
siege was abandoned, British force
from the south taking possession of
the place.
1t is reported that 5000 British
troops have surrounded Christiania.
and the iandrost and other officials
have been taken prisoners.
Under "a Heavy Fire.
London. May 19.-From the men,
tion of the laagers in the Pretoria
dispatch it is understood here that
prior to the raising of the siege of
Mafeking the Boer laagers around
that place were vigorously bombarded
by the British relief column, and that
the burghers were practically COM
PEELED to abandon the siege.
JOY in London.
London, May 19.--The dispatch an
nouncing the relief of Mafeking was
posted outside the mansion house and
the news rapidly spread. A large
crowd collected and at this hour all
the streets in the neighborhood are al
ready resounding with cheers. At 9:40
Lord Mayor A. j. Newton, in his
official robes of office, announced the
joyful news to the crowd outside. The
masses of people outside the mansion
house soon grew to such dimensions
that the police were compelled to
divert all traffic, omnibuses, ETC.,
through the side streets. The cheer.
ing was incessant.
Buildings Illuminated.
Midnight-The scenes in the streets
of mercantile London. usually quite
deserted at this hour, are almost in
describable. Bands, banners and flags
appear to have sprung suddenly from
the earth. Every other vehicle is dec
Grated with flags. Brass bands are
parading and leading crowds who
sing songs. Colored fire is being
burned in every direction. Along
Fleet street, the Strand and Pail Mall
the public buildings are Illuminated,
and the whole of the West end is
alive with enthusiasm. At the war
Office immense crowds quickly gath
cred. for, although no doubt was
thrown on the accuracy of the news.
there is the greatest anxiety felt to
get official confirmation from Lord
Roberts.
The dispatch announcing the relief
of the town was sent to the queen at
Windsor castle. where Lord Salisbury
was dining with her majesty, and also
to the prince of Wales at Marlborough
house.
BY 1880 p. m. the news had spread
to all the suburbs of London, where
similar scenes of rejoicings occurred.
Special editions of the newspapers
appeared and the tickers announced
the news in all the public resorts. In
the West end leading thoroughfares
were eventually impeded by a con-
slant stream of the populace cheer
ing themselves hoarse and singing
God Save the Queen" and Soldiers
of the Queen" The enthusiasm as
this dispatch is sent already promises
to outrival even the scenes which fol-
lowed the relief of Ladysmith.
A reporter inquired at the foreign
office and the resident clerks said
nothing had yet been received there
in confirmation of the news from Pre-
toria of the relief of Mafeking.
In unrestrained jubilations the prov
Ioh ri IL
Although London had the start by a
few minutes the great industrial and
surrounding towns soon burst into pat
riotic demonstrations. Bells clashed in
their steeples, village bands turned
out and people gathered in the squares
to chant fervidly God Save the
Queen" From all parts of the empire
comes the same story. Bombay,
Hong Kong. Columbia and the Aus
tralian cities are rejoicing.
Butler Occupies Newcastle.
London. May l9.-Gen. Butler, in
dispatch to the war Office. dated New
castle. May Is. says:
Newcastle was occupied last night and
to-day the whole Second division and the
Third cavalry brigade will be concen-
ira ted there. have sent the mounted
force through Nqutu to expei small force
Of the enemy and to reassure the natives.
The enemy have burned the chapel broken
much glass; plundered many houses and
taken cash from the banks. but other
wise they have not done much harm. The
railway is badly damaged: the Ingagane
and Nkader bridges are destroyed. as are
many culverts and the pumping station and
waterworks OF the 1000 men flying be-
frN<. No..
Wakkerstroom and some by Millers pass
to the Free State. The remainder, who are
described as disorganized rabble. have gone
north and say they intend to make stand
at Laing's Mex.