The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-10
Read to Bloemfontein Said to BE
Clear, and Roberts May Advance
and Occupy the Town.
RESIGNATION OF JoUBERT
OTHER TRANsyAAL OFFICERS SAID
To BE DISSATISFIED.
SIR Hicks-Beach Thinks End II Near
-JohannesburG to Be Razed-
Mafeking Possibly Relieved.

LONDON, March 10, Ais a. m.
News received from South Africa
in the past twenty-four hours indi-
Gates that the Boer forces are badly
demoralized. Kruger and Steyn
are willing TO accept peace, pro-
vided their republics are permitted
to remain independent. This prop
osition will not be accepted by
Great Britain. Joubert, and other
high officers of the Boer army, are
reported to have resigned. The
road to Bloemfontein is said to be
clear of the enemy. and Roberts
will probably occupy the city.
High Transvaal officials say johann
nesburg will be razed, and the
mines destroyed, if the British at
tempt to take the place.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, chancellor of
the exchequer. when explaining to the
bankers the terms OF the new loan, gave
them an intimation that the government
considered the end OF the war near. "Since
the estimates were prepared" he said.
'events have taken place that have
changed the situation. and probably not all
the money will be required" Whatever
the government may know or intend. un-
oficial opinion seems everywhere to think
that the Boer power is collapsing.
PEACE RUMoRs.
Peace rumors In circulation yesterday
were founded on the fact that President
Kruger had appealed to Lord Salisbury
for a cessation OF hostilities, Offering at
length, by cable, the terms which he is
willing to accept. These. however, are not
taken seriously. as they include practically
nothing more than what the Transvaal
government offered prior TO the Issuing OF
the British ultimatum. Oficial circles
here regard the propositions as merely a
ruse OF the Beers to gain time, and do not
ready to consider the sweeping demands
which Great Britain will make as reim-
bursement for the loss of life and great ex-
penditure. 1t was understood that Presi-
dent Kruger's advances had met with an
emphatic rejection at the hands of Lord
Salisbury, who is believed to have said that
no such attempt to retain the independence
of the Transvaal can be considered for a
The Daily Mail publishes the following
dispatch from Pretoria, dated March s.
via Lourenzo Marques. which had been
censored by the Boer government: "Con-
yersations I have had with the highest
state officials show that the Beers want
some arrangement. They say that IL Eng
land is waging a war OF conquest they will
fight TO the finish. Otherwise they believe
that plain statement OF the Boer inten-
tions will reveal a basis OF negotiation.
now that England's prestige is repaired.
President Kruger and President Steyn con-
ferred Monday at Bloemfontein on the IN
corporation OF the above representations
In cablegram TO Lord Salisbury. The pres
ervation or the independence OF the two
republics is sine qua non."
NO MORE ARTILLERY NEEDED.
AS indicating that the authorities believe
the end OF the war is approaching Ii was
stated yesterday that the Eighth Army Di-
vision has been under orders 10 embark
from England for several weeks but these
orders, as far as the artillery contingent is
concerned. have been recalled. Lord Rob-
erts having reported that no more artillery
from home is necessary. This is the first
pause in reinforcements since the war be-
gan Sir Redvers Butler, second in com
mand in the field. and Lord Wolseley arc
understood also to consider that no more
artillery is needed. Lord Roberts has al.
together 452 guns. including siege pieces.
II is quite clear that General Butler will
not try anything large in the future, as he
is TO lose Sir Charles Warren and the lat.
ter's 1000 men. who have been ordered &c
Jcin Lord Roberts IL is the expectation
of the War ONCE that Lord Roberts, not.
withstanding the necessity OF garrisoninp
his depots. will be able 10 operate con
stantiy increasing force until. by the time
the 1ransyaai frontier IS reached. he Will
have 1900 troops His kilograms dealing