St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-16
WAR IN THE TRANSVAAL.

London, May 15.-"The war is practi-
cally over" says The Daily Chronicles
Kroonstad correspondent, and in less
definite terms this is the view to be
gathered from all the correspondents.
They picture the Beers as utterly de-
moralized and disheartened by Lord
Roberts Unexpectedly rapid advance and
by his facile turning of the carefully pre-
pared positions of the Beers.
There was practically no fighting and
there are no further details to give re-
specting the occupation of Kroonstad,
The correspondent of The Daily Tele-
graph says The union jack was
hoisted in the market place by Mrs
Lockhead, the American wife of a
Scotchman. Most of the horses Of the
Beers are in a wretched condition, but
President Kruger declares he will con-
tinue the war.
1t appears that the Beers at Kroonstad
had been reinforced by 5000 men from
Natal last Friday and that altogether
10000, with 20 guns, trekked from Kroon-
stad on the approach of Lord Roberts.
The Beers made an Intellectual stand
at Boschrand, and had elaborate en-
trenchments in front of Kroonstad,
which offered great facilities for a rear
guard action. Their only anxiety, how
ever, appears to have been to get away
safely with all their guns and conveys,
which again they have successfully &C
complished. The few stores they were
unable to carry away they burned.
Lord Roberts, after a march which is
regarded as worthy of being ranked with
his famous march to Kandahar, has
! thus covered another stage of his cam
paign, a stage which, although success
full and without the mistakes and mis-
fortunes that characterized the earlier
! stages leaves the Boer forces quite in
tact, not having lost gun and having
lost very few men.
Lindley, the new Free State capital, is
10 miles southeast of Kroonstad, half
way to Bethlehem, and was probably
selected as a convenient rendezvous for
the commanders now retiring before
General Brabant and General Rumble, in
the Thabanchu district. Brabant has
occupied Hoepellok, half way on the road
from Thabanchu to Ladybrand.
General Buffers turning of the Big
garsberg position was effected by a
bold movement. The Beers had evacu-
ated Helpmakaar, but were making a
stand Monday evening at Bleskoplaagte,
seven miles from Dundee. The CORE
| spondents on the spot regarded this as a
rear guard action intended to cover the
retreat of the army. At the same time
General Hildyard took Indoba, and it is
reported that the Beers withdrew in
| disorder.
General Butler, who seems to be en-
ploying his full strength, is expected to
push on. His first marches were DO
miles in three days. He is thus break
ing into British territory which had
been administered for six months by the
Transvaalers as though it were part OF
the republic, they holding courts and
levying taxes. His success, therefore
has political as we'll as military conse-
quences.
While Lord Roberts infantry are con-
centrating at Kroonstad, where they
will rest for a day or two, his horsemer
have penetrated IS miles northward
Two hundred Beers who had hidden in
the river jungles near Kroonstad tc
escape service have surrendered to the
British and taken the oath of allegiance
There is not a word of news regarding
General Buffers movements or from the
far western side. Nothing is known
therefore, of the progress of the MAIZE
king relief column.