Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-05
B0BS IN PRETORIA
British Occupy the Trans
vaa| Capital
ENTRY MADE THIS AFTERNOON
Sharp Fight Yesterday at
Six-Mile Spruit.
NO RESISTANCE At The CITY
London Goes Wild Again on
Receipt Of the News.
NO RESISTANCE At The CITY
BOER ENJOYS COM MEN T

LONDON. June s. 12:47 p.m.-The war
office has issued the following dispatch
from Lord Roberts:
PRETORIA June =. II 40 a.m.-We are
now in possession Of Pretoria. The official
entry will be made this afternoon at 2
o'clock
Almost eight months after the declaration
of Lord Roberts entered Pretoria.
While the commander-n-chief of the great
est army Great Britain ever put in the field
was fulfilling tine promise he made to the
guards at Bloemfoute;n. to lead them into
the capital of the Transvaal. England was
celebrating the event with wild enthusiasm
Throughout the length and breadth OF the
country the news spread like wildtire.
Based on the recollection: of recent Euro
pean wars. when the occupation Of The en-
emy's capital signified the end of hostiIties
Lord Roberts terse telegram was taken 70
mean the practical finish of the war which
has tried Great Britain's military resources
IS they were never tried before. In London
the Mansion House and the war office in
simultaneously became the centers for juhi-
liant throngs. Flags again appeared as if
by magic and traffic had to be diverted
through other streets. Hatless and coat
less men and boys through the city al
nnunc.ng the good news and staying TO join
in the thunder Of cheers or add their voices
to the joyful throngs singing God Save the
Queen Hats hoisted from thousands Of
heads were waved in exultant hands, and
siIimmered like a coal bed IN the sun.
Old Men Jrse Younger Ones on.
Old men on top of the omnibuses and all
dermen from the windows of the Mansion
House encouraged crowds to still further
efforts. The premature report Of the fal
of the Boer stronghold did not seem TO have
taken the edge off today's celebration.
Lord Roberts Six Miles Spruit dispatch
was hard y printed by the extras before
the union jack Of the war office was hauled
up the flagstaff and the brief message was
passed from mouth to mouth, Pretoria is
occupied" Those who had had chance to
read Lord Roberts account OF the resist
ance encountered yesterday were at that
moment commenting on the probability of
Il fierce fight before the city was occupied.
and were wondering at the Beers capabili-
ties to make such a determined stand when
Pretoria was hemmed in all sides.
The pressure Of Gen. French north of the
Boer capital came surprise and ex-
planned the commander-in-chief's retriever
anent the position of the energetic cavalry
leader. 1t was evident that Lord Roberts de-
layed attacking until all his co umns were
ready to cooperate; but even when Lord
Roberts wired last night that this was ac-
complished there seemed a possibility of
some fighting, when the next momen-
tous dispatch was given out 1t came as a
surprise.
Judging from Lord Roberts phraseology
the occupation Of Pretoria was not accom-
panied by any loss Of lif-. What has hap
pened to the Boer forces which so insistent-
ly opposed the British advance at Six Miles
Suruit only be surmised. But pre-
surnably they have got away, for the pres
eut, at any rate.
General BOtha Quoted.
The latest press dispatches from a rep-
rcsentative of the Associated Press at Pre-
toria. dated June 3, quote General Botha
as saying:
80 long We can stiN count on our
thousands of willing men We must not
dream of retreat or throwing away our in
dependence"
General Botha, it Is added, annulled the
regulations appointing special committee
10 preserve order. substituting military con-
trol for that of the committee
General Lucas Meyer, addressing the
burghers on the Church Square, urged
them all 10 stand fast.
Thus though their efforts were p!tifully
futile. it is evident that a few faithful Boer
generals worked desperately 10 resist the
overwhelming force of Lord Roberts army
The war office has information mat one
OF the first things done by Lord Roberts
after the occupation of Pretoria was to
direct General French TO reliev, the British
prisoners confined al Waterfall