The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-06-02


what result is not known here. H. J..
Whigham, in a dispatch to the Daily
News dated May %, says:
''The decentralization in the Trans
vaal is remarkable. Panic and con-
fusion prevails everywhere. Every n
is weary of the war and full of fear
as to the conduct of the British.
Preparations were being made for ell
circling Pretoria with t%elegraphic CON-
munication. Fourteen points on the
line CT defense were connected with
horse and the stats artillery. but
this was apparently the only defensive
measure adopted. There were no
other visible preparations. Not much
gold is likely to be found in the treas
ury. The salaries of the officers or
judges have not been paid, or if paid
only in bank notes, which will be
worthless when Lord Roberts arrives.
The seat Of government will be re.
moved to Waterfall Bon, a small sta
ton on the Delagoa Bay railway line,
and then, of necessity to Lydenburg.
Complain of Roberts Tactics.
"Both President Steyn and President
Kruger complain bitterly of Lord Rob
erts' unfair tactics in refusing to meet
the Beers in positions chosen by them
and in %eternally turning them by flank
movements. Around Johannesburg a
few trenches have been dug but no
other steps have been taken for de-
fence. The railway line is blocked
with refugees from the west and
southwest. The government is now
endeavoring to reassure the people by
telling them that the British will not
outrage and plumber them, but 1t is
too late. The previous misstatements
are bringing their rewards. Food is
very scarce and prices rule high. The
proposal to release the British prison.
ers Of war is due to this cause. Mem
bers of the government and of the
volksraad expressed approval of the
proposal, but president Kruger is vio-
lently opposed to it. One form of in.
fernal machinery which meets with
much approval is to be laid under the
rails Of various lines. The pressure
of the engines weight will cause it to
explode
With Terrible Force.
MANY Of the machines are Mt the
arsenal and great caution will have to
be employed in neutralizing them.
There has been a decided change in
public opinion, which has become
quit English. The burghers are sing
ing God Save the Queen and they
cannot be stopped. In towns the rabid
anti Englishism is less rampant. Peo-
pie are protecting their property. The.
party eager for surrender is now very
Influential and includes the principal
leaders at the front. The intelligent
public feel that the game is up. False
news no longer has any effect and the
lying reports of the newspapers are
Universally disbelieved. Although the
hand Of the censo has. been very
heavy on news of all kinds recently,
every M believes the. worst. The
government continues the agitation
against the occupation of the two re-
phblics in Europe and America. Great
efforts are to be made in this direc-
ton and no expense is to be spared. I
learn on excellent authority the
Bewaasplaatzen rights have been sold
To a French Syndicate
without the sanction of the volksraad.
to bring about q French Intervention
for the protection of French rights in
the Witwatersrand and thus to cause
England grave difficulties. The con-
duct Of United States Consul Hay is
admirably discreet and meets with
Universal praise alike from Boer and
British sympathizers
Another dispatch from Lourenzo
M0rques says: "Gen. Luis Botha is
at Pretoria urging President Kruger to
Orange peace terms. , Runaway
.turghers from Laing's Mex passed
through Heidelberg last week. Wound.
"a officers with their families are leav-
ing johannesburg and Pretoria for
1ydenburg. President Steyn occupier
the house of q British resident at Pre-
tOria. Passengers arriving at LOU
reno Marques Monday from Pretoria
said it was believed there that the
British would not be at the capital for
d month. Nevertheless there was
much unrest and anxiety"
Private Car for A. D.. r. Boy.
Durham, May 3O.-James Smith, the
American District messenger boy who
is carrying a message Of sympathy
from Philadelphia and New York
school boys to President Kruger, has
arrived ut Lourenzo Marques and
President Kruger has Sent his private
Car to convey him to Pretoria.
steyn and Botha. for Peace.
London, May 30-The Lourenzo Mar
cues correspondent of the Times, tcle-
graphing Monday, says: C~ommandant
General Botha consulted the Trans
vaal government a few days ago and
in the strongest terms advised cap
itulation, realizing that to resist fur.
Their was useless. Neither persuasion
nor the liberal use Of the sjambok can
induce the men to stand. President
eteyn is equally emphatic for peace,
but Kruger is still obdurate. The
strong feeling Of the Pretoria peace
party, however, may at any moment
Garry the point.
Kruger Issues . warnjns.
The Morning Post has the following
liepatch from Lourenzo Marques.
dated Monday: President Kruger
hassYssued q public proclamation
warming. an people to leave Johannes
sSara OF 10 remain there at the peril Of
4fhe{r lives. ~ 1t might become nee
&Geasy to destroy the town and mines.