Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-07
TROOPS RESTING.
Roberts Preparing for Another
Campaign, from Pretoria.
Largest Beer Force at Laiug's Mex,
but Both Sides Inactive.
Beers al Newcastle an Unorganizet Rabble
Without Sufficient Food.

London, June 7-3.10 A. M-Military
oper atoms in South Africa are appar-
emily at a 5tandstill. For a day or two
the tired troops Of Lord Roberts are
resting: and h. is filling the magazines
and warehouses at his new base, Pre-
toria. preparatory to long chase af-
ter the retiring Beers in the direction
of Lydenburg. His cavalry are proba-
bly, seeking to intercept Commandant
General Botha.
Some dispatches are to hand which
left Pretoria, Monday. while the fight
ing was going on outside the city.
They come by way Of LourenZn
Marques. One of them says: Toward
the end Of the day when the British.
naval guns We're Smelling the southern
forts a number of projeCtiles burst.
damaging the suburbs. All day armed
burghcrs have been leaving Pretoria.
going east. The greater part of the
railway rolling stock has been re-
moved
Gen. Rotha was fighting an essential
~ rear guard action, his object tot be
ing to defend Pretoria. but to delay
Lord Roberts until the railway switch
had been cleared and the main part Of
the Boer army had started to with
draw. The british advance appears to
have left open to the Beers the best
lire IF retreat along the railway. Pos
sibly Lord Roberts may have been able
To cut the railway before a full retire
mCnt was effected.
That Pretoria would be defended was
apparently given out after the council
IF war with a view Of misleading the
Ttr-itiCi I-1nr1 hy1rcr no dict trio
which the provisions originally destin-
81 for Pretoria have been diverted.
and where a cartridge factory has been
erected ana reserve supplies Of all
sorts are stored. is a volcanic region
If fertile valleys. enclosed by great
ramparts Of precipitous rock penetra-
ted by narrow winding passes. There
arc herds If cattle in the valleys and
there j. mut II native labor available for
terrifying.
The Beers used both heavy and light
artillery at Pretoria. What is suppos-
ed to have been the last train out of
Pretoria arrived at Lourcnzo Marques.
Sunday evening. The passengers in
Guided Il number of foreign volunteers
who are leaving the Boer service. and
also the wives and children of Hol-
landcrs. Til V described Pretoria as
q etituto If food and clothing
Probably the most important Boer
army is at Laing's Mex, where both
sides are passive Gen. Rumble and
ON. Rrahant have Withdrawn a little
southwark
Cen baden Powell has extended
martial law to the Marico and north
Lichtenburg departments. Shots were
~ hot and Rritilh
patrols IS miles east of Mafeking. May
Is. Part Of the forces lately at Pre-
toria are reported to have gone west
ward to meet Gen. Baden Powell and
to make show Of holding the country
through which he and Gen. Hunter are
moving.
4 dispatch to the Daily Telegraph
from Newcastle. dated Tuesday. de
scribes the Beers there as an morgan
lied rabble. without -four. meat or
sugar. Their surrender is only ques-
ton Of time Nevertheless the CORE
spondents aver. they hold strong posi-
tions with the prospect of a safe re-
treat toward Lydenburg.
Ii is understood at Newcastle that
the British government has approach
ed the Natal government with propo-
Sltlo0 th31 Nat1l Snoulu NblunttiiN
rrnounce local self-govcrnment for
time in order that q general system of
crown government may be instituted
for all South Africa. leading in the
course of time to federation and the
subsequent autonomy Of the various
states simultaneously.
I.ourenzo Marques correspondents at
tach significance to the number or
british warships in Dclagoa bay. sug-
costing that they are there possibly in
anticipation Of aiding the Portuguese
in the event of disturbances on the
TranSvaal border
There is strong feeling Throughout
the country that striking honors should
bc conferred Immediately upon Lord
Lord Roberts without waiting until he
returns to England.
The InurenZo Marques correspondent
OF the Times telcEraphing June 3.
SAYS: According to refugees from
Pretoria. thousands Of burghers under
Cen. Eotha have taken an oath to con-
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