The evening times., 1900-06-05

LONDON, June 5.-General Roberts has
taken Pretoria and, so far as formidable
resistance is concerned, ii is believed the
South African war is over. Attacks Of
scattered bands are expected, but London
military experts do not look for any Sc
we're results. for it is believed that the
Beers are too widely broken up to make
much Of an impression on the British
Army. The War Office received today
from General Roberts the despatch brief
Iy announcing that he had possession Of
the Boer capital.
News dispatches to London press asso-
Citations state that it is learned that i'm
mediately after the occupation of Pretoria
General Roberts sent General French
with his cavalry to release the British
prisoners at Waterfall.
After the official announcement Of the
capture of Pretoria the War Office hOisted
the Union Jack. The crowd outside cheer
ed. but otherwise London received the
news with comparative calmness.
The Lord Mayor today sent the follow
ing cablegram to Lord Roberts: The
Empire will never forget what you and
the forces under your command have ac-
complished. Accept the grateful congrat-
ulations OF the citizens of London"
The official despatch from General Rob
erts on the taking of Pretoria, follows;
Pretoria. June 5-n:40 a. M
We are now in possession OF Pretoria.
The official entry will be made at
O'Clock this afternoon. ROBERTS"
The following despatch filed previously by
General Roberts was issued:
six Miles Sprut-(s (s. 20 D. m).-We
started this morning at daybreak and
marched about ten miles TO Six Miles
Spruit, both banks Of which were oc-
cupied by the enemy.
"Henry's and Ross mounted infant
~, with the West Somerset. Dorset,
Bedford, and Sussex companies Of
Yeomanry, quickly dslOdge1 them from
the south bank and pursued them near
ly a mile.
Then they found themselves under
a heavy fire from guns which she
Beers had placed in a well concealed,
commanding position
Our heavy guns Of the naval and
Royal Artillery, which had purpossly
been placed in the front part of the
column, were hurried TO the assistance
Of the mounted infantry as fast as
oxeE and mules could travel over the
great. rolling hills surrounding Pre-
toria The guns were supported by
Stevenson's brigade Of POle-Carew's,
and, after few rounds, drove the en-
emy from their positions.
''The Beers then attempted TO turn
our left flank. in which they were a-ain
foiled by the Mounted Infantry and
Yeomanry, supported by Maxwell's
Brigade Of fuckers Division.
"As, however, they still kept press
inc Iaf I tn Tap
Hamilton, who was advancing three
miles to our left, TO incline toward US
and 1ll up the gap between the two
columns.
This finally checked the enemy,
who were driven back toward Pretoria.
/ hoped we would have been able to for
low them up, but the days now are very
short in this part of the world and.
after nearly two hours marching and
fighting. We had TO bivouac on the
ground gained during the day.
THE Guards Brigade is quite near
the southermost fort by which Preto-
ria is defended and less than four miles
from the town.
French. with the Third and Fourth
Cavalry Brigades and Pattons New
South Wales Mounted Rifles is north
of Pretoria. Broadwoods Brigade is
between Freneh's and Hamilton's COL
umns, and Gordon is watching the right
flank of the main force, not far from
the railway bridge. at Irene Station,
which was destroyed by the enemy.
"Our casualties, 1 hope. arr very few.
ROBERTS
Details Of General Roberts losses and the
occurrences following the OccUpation Of
Pretoria are expected by the wan Office
tonight.
Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage. who took lunch
eon with the Lord Mayor this afternoon
witnessed the patriotic demonstrations Of
the crowd opposite the Mansion House. DIR.
Talmage said he was greatly impressed
with the spontaneity Of tre enthusiasm,
which, he declared, resemblel the rejoic-
ings Of the Americans of the North at the
close of the civil war.