The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-02
WAR is over.
That is the View of the Matter
Held in London.
Early Reverses Seem to Have
Been Forgotten.
FORMAL ANNEXATION
OF the TransvaaI is Looked For
Soon.
Until Then Dom Paul'S Author
ity Will Be Recognized.
FORMAL ANNEXATION

copyright, 1900, by Associated Press.l
London, June Popular opinion mas
proclaimed the advent of victory anu
whatever happens henceforth IN Sou.H
Africa. the interest Of the British public !
will be but little unless the event is en-
dorsed by a peculiarly personal ele- !
ment The nation has made up its !
mind that the war is over. that the |
prestige Of British arms is restored, that |
President Kruger is vanquished, that
priceless territory has been annexed, |
that humanity has not been staggered
and that led by that little Sir Galahad,
'Bobs," Great Britain's army has full
filled the most optimistic expectations.
1t is scarcely surprising in view of
the rapidity Of Lord Roberts progress
during the past week that the anxiety
attendant on the initial reverse of the
war Is completely forgotten in the jub-
iation Of today, or that the troubles
still ahead of the army in South Africa
scarcely receive a passing thought
Nevertheless among the few more ser
ious minded who have intimate know
ledge of the Beers and the plans of the
war office there exist great apprehen-
sions of developments in the near fu-
ture. In the systematic retreat Of the
Beers they see the possibility Of long
drawn out guerilla fighting, tricks into
Rhodesia, internal disorganization in
the Transvaal due to bandits and
thousand and one lawless elements that
evolve themselves from a heterogeneous
army after it ceases to become an or
ganized body. Some Of the acute au-
thorities on South African matters say
Major General Frederick CarringtOn's
work in Rhodesia may only begin
when Lord Roberts finishes. Such spec
ulation, however, can only be left for
time to prove and the war so far has
abounded in surprises which have COM
pletely upset the slIrmises of those best
gifted to express opinions.
Probably the most Eeasonabls fore
cast of Immediate developments in the
Transvaal can be gained by reviewing
the events in the Free State or Orange
River colony. There though the cOun-
try is formally annexed and is subject
to a WinnOWing process by a long line
of British troops Virile opposition still
exists. The PrepOnderance of numbers
is bound to eventually reduce the in
habitants to subsection and so it will
be, probably with the TranSvaal the
occupation of Pretoria and Johannes
burg being followed by operations sim
liar to those unintereSting movements
now undertaken by Generals Rundle
and Brabant in the Orange River
colony.
WILL RECOGNIZE KRUGER.
The personal status of President
Kruger since he left the capital is Gre
ating some discussion. A representative
of the Associated Press learns that
Lord Salisbury will consider him to be
president of the South African republic
until Lord Roberts is ready to annex
that territory. Hence. wherever Presi-
dent Kruger may be, even if he goes
into Portuguese territory and any com
municatiOns which he might make to
the British or other governments look
ing to a cessation of hOStilitieS would
receive official recognition and be an
swered, though it is safe to say Lord
Salisbury would merely refer President
Kruger to Lord Roberts Some such
message from Dom Paul is now expect
ed at the foreign Office. If the indicated
line Of procedure in answering it is
carried ont it can result in nothing un-
less President Kruger is willing to as
Sist Lord Roberts in perSuading the
people to lay down their arms. On one
thing the British government is de-
termined. i. g., President Kruger can
not stay in the Transvaal. In the event
Of his capture, he must be transported
not necessarily in durance; but he must
be got out Of the territory which LORD
Salisbury expects will shortly be part
Of the British empire. Every effort viii
be made to capture President Kruger
but the government officials are in
Clined to believe he will manage to ge
into Portuguese territory, where the
BULLER'S DOWNFALL
One of the most curious features OF
the closing chapters Of the great wal
IS the Oblivion into which General Bullel
has fallen A few months ago 1t wa!
Butler who would stem the tide of Boe1
invasion; it was Butler who would entei
Pretoria on Christmas day. Yet nov
General Butler is scarcely mentioned
Generals French Hamilton and Others
are all more frequently talked of anC
nnGnEnd form lasrs ,,1,f,f do
in chief.
Words fail to describe the nationa
gratefulness to Lord Roberts yelling
ton never was to England what Robert
is today in the eyes of the general pub
lie. A dukedom and the Order of tn
Garter at the queens disposal through
the death of the Duke of Argyll are tn
least rewards that could be bestovet
on him. Already people are talking o
the scenes which will mark his home
coming. Conscientious military critic
occasionally try to bring in Lord Kitch
ener's name, but their efforts have smal
effect on the popular sentiments
One evidence of Lord Roberts cana
bility is the uses to which he put wire
less telegraphy. While Butler, Whit
and other generals failed to develop tn
plant sent out to them and looked ask
ance at the innovation, relying sOlel
the old time heliOgraph, Lord RoI
erts always has with him a body c
wireless telegraphiStS. by which h
lteeps in constant communication wit
the various units of his enormous arm!
Several messages have been sent owe
sixty miles. The reports of naval eS
neriments with this device are ais
satisfactory. The British battleshi
Hannibal while under way clearly rea
the battleship Jupiter's message at
miles distance Other severe tests haN
resulted favorably to Marconi.
An extraordinary incident in conne'
fion with the battering of the Goa.
defense ironclad Belle Isle by the ba
4leshiD Majestic has lust leaked out