The age-herald., 1900-05-29
ROBERTS IS CLOSE
 TO JOHANNESBURG
Can Reach the City in Another
 Days March.
MUCH FIRING GAN BE HEARD
Generals French and Hamilton Fought the Boers Half Day But the Result is Unknown at
 War Office

London, May 2S.-(3 a. m.)-Lord Rob- erts is now within a days march of Johannesburg and General French and General Ian Hamilton fought the Boers from noon until evening on Monday, but with what result is not known here.
 H. J. ssWhigham, in a dispatch to the Daily ssail dated May 2S says: --'-= "The demoralization of the Transvaal is remarkable. Panic and confusion prevail everywhere. Everyone is weary of the war and full of fear as to the coming of the British. Operations were being carried on for encircling Pretoria with telegraphic communications. Fourteen points in the line of defenses were connected with head quarters and with the Saats artillery, but this apparently was the only defensive measure adopted. There were other visible preparations.
 Mot much gold is likely to be found in the treasury. The salaries of the officials and judges have not been paid or have been paid only in national bank notes which will be worthless when Lord Rob- erts arrives. The seat of government will be removed to Waterval Bovan, a small station on the Delagoa Bay railway line SiiQ tncu IL HSCSSSdiy u
 Both President Steyn and President ruger complain bitterly of Lord Roberts unfair tactics in refusing to meet the Boers in positions chosen by them and in etern- ally turning them by flank movements,
 Few trenches at Johannt sburg
 Around Johannesburg few trenches have been dug, but no other steps have been taken for defense. The railway line is blocked with refugees from the west and southwest who are packed like sardines in trucks.
 'The government is now endeavoring to reassure the public by telling them that the British will not outrage and plunder them nbut it is too late. The previous ms-state- ments are bringing their rewards. Food is very scarce and prices rule high.
 ''The proposal to release the British pris- oners of war is due to this cause. Members of the government and of the volksraad express Approval of the proposal, but Pres ident Kruger is violently opposed to it.
 "One form of internal machine which meets with much approval is to be laid un- der the rails of various lines pressure of some tons weight will cause this to ex- plode with most terrible effect. Many of these machines are being, made at the arse- nal, and great caution will have to be em- ployed in centraliZing them.
 Change In Pub lc Opinion
 ''There has been decided change in pub lie opinion which has become quite Eng fish. The burghers in command all sing God Save the Queen," and they cannot be stopped. All are sick of warfare. In the towns the rabid anti-English is less rampant. People thinking of their property. The party eager for surrender is now very influential and includes the principal leaders at the front. The intel ligent public feel that the game is up. False news no longer has any eecfft and the lying reports of the newspapers are un- iversally disbelieved. Although the hand of the censor has been heavy on news of all kinds recently every one believes the worst
 ''The government has arranged to con- tinue the agitation against the British oc- cupation of the two republics on the con tinent of Europe in Great Britain and in the United States. I have excellent req sons for believing that the Bewaarplastsen have been sold to French syndicate with out the sanction of the Volksraad. The government hopes by this means to bring about French intervention for the protec- tion of French rights in the Witwater- strand, and thus to cause England grave difficulties.
 ..The conduct of United States Consul Hay is remarkably discreet, and meets with universal praise alike from Boe. and British sympathizers.
 Another dispatch from Lourenzo Mar ques says
 ..GeneraI Louis Botha Is at Pretoria urg- ing President Kruger to arrange peace