The Topeka state journal., 1900-05-31

g: 80 p. m, saying the brunt of the fight
ing yesterday fell upon Ian Hamilton's
column. Il have sent him as already
mentioned" says Lord Roberts, Ito
work around to the west of johannes
burg in support of French's cavalry,
which was directed to go north near
the road leading to Pretoria.
Il have not heard from French yet,
but Hamilton, in a report which has
Just reached me, states that at about
/ o'clock in the afternoon he found his
way blocked by the enemy strongly
posted on some kopjes and ridges three
miles south of the rand. They had two
heavy guns and several field guns and
pompOms. Hamilton forthwith at
tackled.
"The right was led by the Gordons.
who after capturing one extremity OF
the ridge wheeled around and worked
along it until after dark, clearing il OF
the enemy, who fought most Obstinately.
The 104th led on the other flank and
would not be denied the chief share IN
the action. as the casualties fell to the
Cordons whose gallant advance excited
the admiration of all.
Hamilton is now at Florida, due west
Of Johannesburg, and French is few
miles further to the northeast The
GordOns, the cavalry, the mounted in
fantry and the seventh division are
holding the heights of the town. The
eleventh division with batteries H and
q and the heavy artillery are south OF
JOIdIHeSUQIS- j
Hamilton speaks in high terms of
praise Of the manner in which Bruce
Hamilton and Col SpenS of the ShrOp-
shire light infantry handled their men
| under Snith-DOrrien's direction"
ENGLISH SAY WAR IS OVER.
London. May 31.-The Times this
morning says:
THE war is practically over. BY this
/ time the British flag is flying in Pre-
toria. Mr.. Kruger has fed and ere
this is half way to Delagoa bay.
Mr.. Hay, son of the United States
secretary Of state who holds the office
/ of American consul at Pretoria, and
who in that capacity took charge of
our interests. thCughtfully assisted on
/ special steps for safeguarding the large
number Of British prisoners"
London. May 81 a. m.-Yesterday
at noon the British were only about two
! hours march from Pretoria. and the
! Boer military forces had abandoned the
1 city. This intelligence comes from the
| Reuter- agent at the Transvaal capital
and from the Earl of Rosslyn, in a
! press dispatch. The two messages left
l about the same time
At . O'Clock this morning the war
| Office had received no news from Lord
| Roberts which the officials would make
/ public, but it is assumed that the press
I adVices are correct Most of the Lon
don morning papers, through the cour-
tesy of the Daily Mail, print Lord Ross
lyn's dispatch and comment upon it,
treating the war as ended. Some of the
more cautious critics think that guer-
1 rilla warfare is likely to be carried on
for some time in various parts of the
conquered territory
All the Boer forces are dissolving.
Lord Roberts apparently has not yet
taken any considerable quantities OF ar
| tillery, arms or stores Large bodies of
Boers must still be sonew here in the
field.
! Wa+er-va1loo7-a-, o1- xxTaterfs 1lI,ox,a,, ie
130 miles due east of Pretoria, on the
Delagoa Bay railway. 1t should not be
confused with Waterfall, ten miles
north of Pretoria. where the British
prisoners are. Watervalboven is a
small place in mountainous country
The seat of the Boer government-what
there is left of twill probably be
Lydenburg, to the north.