The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-24
THE TUG OF WAR.

A fresh commando sent from the
Transvaal has checked Butler at Laing's
Mex.
The Senate voted against resolution
TO extend to the Boer delegates the priv
ileges Of the floor during their sojourn.
At meeting Of Hollanders residing
IA Pretoria committee was appointed
to secure place Of safety for the women
and children.
Secretary Hay has informed the Boer
ENJOYS that President Mckinley did
not feel justified in taking further steps
to end the South African war
One of the reasons which made the
Beers 80 anxious to capture MateklnR
was that they regarded it az a jumping
off place from which raid could eatily
be made on Johannesburg.
The Beers are reported 20 have left
Natal, leaving Laing's Mex open for
General Butler 60 advance into the
Transvaal. providing they have not laid
a trap for him in the mountain passes.
One of General Buffers squadrons has
come 20 grief The Beers ambushed 1t
In the Transvssl six miles west Of Vry.
held and near the Natal border Ool-
onel Bethune, to whose mounted infan-
try the squadron belonged reports that
"very few escaped " The total loss
was about GO men.
Lord Roberts, who has been hating
at Kroonstad, in the Orange Free State.
collecting his army for another advance
toward the TransvAal, will start OF once.
His infantry is already moving forward.
It Is reported that the Beers have de-
oided TO make q stand at the RhenOster
river, 30 miles north Of Kroonstad.
They are said to have 1000 men there
and are intrenching
The three peace ENJOYS representing
the South African Republic and the Or.
ange Free State-Messrs Fisher, VOL
marans and Wessels-were given a re-
ception in Washington such as few for.
eiRuers in America have ever received.
Men prominent In the affairs Of the
government OF the United States cham.
pioned their cause the ENJOYS them
selves told the people OF she capital Of
their mission and their hopes, and q
large fund was subscribed for the
widows and orphans of the burghers
who have fallen in battle.
The Transvaal government has an.
nounced that IL has no idea Of making
an unconditional surrender. and will
fight to q finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that Johannesburg
will be defended. Presidents Kruger and
Steyn and most Of the prominent leaders
Of both republics are bent on nontinu.
ing the resistance The London Daily
Chronicle, on the other hand. says that
messages have been received by the
British government from President
Kruger, by way Of Holland. seeking
peace. According to one story, he sur.
renders unconditionally.
The BOer peace ENJOYS called on the
President bat in an entirely unofficial
capacity. The three ENJOYS were receiv-
ed by President Mckinley in the blue
room The conversation was turned 10
the subject Of the war and the visit Of
the ENJOYS TO this Country The three
visitors did not make any additional
plea for intervention bot acknowledged
that they had been grievously dis
appointed over the inability Of the
United States 20 take any additional
steps toward ending the war President
McKinly said that had he been able to
bring about peace by mediation it would
have been one Of the hAppiest acts Of
his life. As Great Britain had seen tit
to refuse TO receive his good offices he
could do no more. When the ENJOYS
left the President the latter shook hands
with each and assured them that he
would be glad to see them any time they
wished TO call.