The sun., 1900-06-06
PRETORIA ENTERED
I. BY THE british AND
The WAR IS OVER
Lord Roberts and the Great
English Army at Last in
the TransyaaI Capital.
HAD SOME HARD FIGHTING
Beers Put Up "a Stubborn Resistance
at Six Miles Spruit, But Were
Finally Driven Back by Ian
Hamilton---Fever of Joy
in England.

London, June 5.-It was announced
verbally at the war Office that Lord hop-
erts has entered Pretoria.
One of the first things done was to d.
rect General French to relieve the Brit
ish prisoners confined at Waterfall.
Earlier in the day this dispatch was re-
ceived from Lord Roberts:
''Six Miles Spruit, June I've started |
this morning ut daybrcak and marched
about ten miles to six Miles Spruit both |
banks Of which were occupied by the |
enemy.
"rcnry's and Ross mounted infantry, |
with the West Somerset, Dorset Bed
ford and Sussex companies of yeomanfy, |
Guickly dislodgod them from the south |
hank and pursued them nearly mile,
when they found themselves under a
heavy fire from guns which the Beers
had rlaced in Il well concealed, com
handing position.
Our heavy guns of the Naval ana Roy-
2 al artillery, which had purposely been
placed in the front part of the column,
were hurried to the assistance Of the
mounted infantry as fast as oxen and
mules could travel over the great, rolling
hills surrounding Pretoria The guns
were supported by Stevensons brigade
of Pole-Carew's division and after few
rounds drove the enemy from their posj-
tions.
The Beers Checked.
"The Beers then attempted to turn
our left flank, in which they were again
foiled by the mounted infantry and yeo-
manry. supported by Maxwelrs brigade
of fuckers division. AS, however, they
still kept pressing our left rear, | sent
word to Ian Hamilton, who was advanc-
ing three miles to our left, to incline to-
ward and fill up the gap between the two
columns. This finally checked the enc
N.Y. who were driven back toward Pre-
tolia.
Il hoped we would have been able to
follow them up. but the days now are
very short i'll this part of the world, and
after nearly two hours marching and.
fighting we had to bivouac on the ground
gained during the day.
'"rhe Guards brigade is quite near the
southclnmost fort by which Pretoria is
defended and less than four miles from
the town.
"French, with the Third and Fourth
cavalry brigudes and Hutton's New
South Wakes mounted rifles. is north of
Pretoria. Broadwood's brigade is be
tween French'S and Hamilton's columns,
and Gordon is watching the right flank
way bridge ut Irene station, which was
destroyed by the enemy.
sour casualties, | hope, are very few."
England In Fever of Joy.
While the commander in chief was full
filing the promise he made TO the guards
at Bloemfontein to lead them into the
capital of the Transvaal England was
celebrating the event with wild enthusi'
asni.
Throughout the length and breadth OF
the country the news spread like wild
fire. Based on the recollection of recent
European wars, when the occupation OF
the enemy's capital signifed the end o1
hostilities, Lord Roberts telegram was
universally taken to mean the practlca
finish of the war which has tried Grea'
Britain's military resources as they were
never tried before. In London the Man
sion House and the war office almost in
simultaneously became the centers fo
jubilant throngs.
Hatless and coatless men and boys raj
through the city alleys to see for them
selves the bulletins announcing the goo'
news and staying to join IN the cheers o
add their voices to the joyful throng
singing "God Save the Queen" Hat
hoisted from thousands of heads wer
waved in exultant hands and shimmere
like a coal bed in the sun. Old men o.
top of the omnibuses and aldermen froi
the windows of the Mansion House cr
couraged the crowds to still further 81
forts.
The premature report of the fall OF tn
Beers stronghold did not seem to hav
taken the edge off the celebration. Lor
Roberts Six Miles Spruit dispatch wa
hardly printed by the "eXtras' befoi
the union jack Of the war Office was raj
idly hauled up the flagstaff and the brit
message was passed from mouth
mouth, "Pretoria is occupied"
Came as a Surprise.
Those who had had a chance to rcG
Lord Roberts account of the resistan
encountered were at that moment col
menting OH the probability of fer
fight before the city was occupied al
were wondering at the Beers capabi
ties TO make such a determined staI
when Pretoria was hemmed in on
sides. The pressure of General Fren'
north of the Boer capital came as su
prise and explained the commander
chiefs reticence anent the position of Il
energetic cavalry leader. 1t was e'
dent that Lord Roberts delayed attac
ing himself until all his columns we
ready to cooperate.
The occupation of Pretoria was prob
bly, not accompanied by loss OF life. wa
Il has happened to the Boer forces viii
80 inS;,tcrt,y ornnsrd the British q
zanuu IL -Ix -i44ea al.L.- ia- 1All