The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-15
.H0EAFONTBN OCCUPIED
By british FORCES
Official Announcement of the Expected Is Made
in London, and Joy Is Manifested.
Lord Roberts Entry Into Free State Capital
Occasion for Wildly Enthusiastic
Scenes
Lord Salisburys Reply to Note of Presidents
Kruger and Steyn Causes Sorrow
in Pretoria.

LONDON, March At is officially an
| nounced that Lord Roberts has occupied
Bloemfontein, and that the British flag
is flying from the top of the capitol The
following is the text of Lord Roberts
dispatch to the war Office announcing
his occupation of Bloemfontein:
"Bloemfontein, March 13, o. m.-By
the help of God and by the bravery of her
majesty's soldiers, the troops under my
command have taken possession Of
Bloemfontein. The British flag now flies
over the presidency, evacuated last even
ing by President Steyn, late president Of
the Orange Free State: Mr. Frazer, mem
ber Of the late executive government;
the mayor, the secretary to the late gov
ernment, the landrost and other officials
met me two miles from the town and
presented me with the keys of the public
offices.
''The enemy have withdrawn from the
neighborhood, and all seems quiet. The
inhabitants of Bloemfontein gave the
troops a cordial welcome"
The above dispatch, though dated Tues
day, was not received at the war office
at 1870 p. m. Wednesday. 1t was made
public few minutes before 8. The delay
is attributed to the field telegraphs, not
being connected with Bloemfonteln on
Tuesday evening. Extra papers are al
ready out on the streets, and the night
crowds of London are singing patriotic
songs and engaging in demonstrations.
RELIEF IN LONDON.
Lord Roberts dispatch caused a feel
ing of great relief The absence of the
news eagerly looked for had provoked
some apprehension during the earlier
part of the day, that the British had met
with a check before @Bloemfontein, and
anxious inquiries were made at the war
office and in the Hobbies of parliament
On the reception of the news the queen,
at Windsor castle; the Prince of Wales,
| at Marlborough house; Lord Wolseley
and others were Immediately notified,
the public having given up hope of fur
ther news until tomorrow CThursday).
The appearance of the newspapers with
the tidings caused great excitement along
Pail Mall, at the several clubs and in the
West End generally. Owing to the late
hour, however, there was no demonstra-
tion approaching in the slightest degree
those heralding the surrender of Cronje
and the relief of Ladysmith.
1t so happened that a torchlight pro-
cession, organized on an extensive scale
for the widows and orphans fund, was
parading South London with bands and
banners. This included a body of uni
formed men representing the British field
forces, the surrender of Cronje and other
irST ri
with flags, and stands were erected at
numerous points for spectators. Natu-
rally the appearance of the extra editions
of the evening papers created a furore Of
enthusiasm among the paraders, who
greeted the news with cheers and the
singing of the national anthem.
JOY AT WINDSOR.
At Windsor the news was received with
much joy. The queen commanded that
1t be Immediately published, and she In
structed her equerry at the dinner table
to send a note to the Offices of the house
hold bridgade. The battalion was called
on parade at 1915 p. m. Maj. ST Aubyn
read her majestys note and called for
cheers for the queen and Lord Roberts.
The band played "God Save the Queen"
Wherever Lord Roberts dispatch was
read, his reference to the late presi-
dent Steyn and the late executive was
Immediately fastened upon as highly sig>
nif1cant.
The lord mayor announced the news at
a banquet to the masters OF the city COM
panies which was in progress at Man
sion house. 1t was received with great
cheering, the company rising and singing
God Save the Queen
The evening papers in Liverpool, Man
chester and Glasgow published special
editions. causing joyful demonstrations in
those cities.
DETAILS OF SURRENDER.
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
Bloemfonteln, dated Tuesday evening,
March 1S, says:
"Bloemfontein surrendered at 10 today
1t was occupied at noon. President
Steyn, with a majority of the fighting
burghers, has fled northward.
Gen. French was within five miles of
the place at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon.
He sent a summons into the town,
threatening to lombard unless It surren-
dered by a. m. Tuesday. A white flag
was hoisted Tuesday morning, and de-
putation of the town council with Mayor
Kellner, came out to meet Lord Roberts
at spitz Kop, five miles south of the
town, making formal surrender of the
place.
Lord Roberts made a state entry at
noon. He received tremendous ovation
After visiting the public buildings, he
went to the official residence of the pres
ident, followed by a cheering crowd, who
waved the British flag and sang the Brit