Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-05-17

May 12, says: The arrival of Lord Rob-
erts was hailed with enthusiasm by all
the British inhabitants. Three hun
dred Free Staters were anxious to sur
render. The bridge to the south had
not been destroyed, but the large bridge
near the town had demolished. The
| Irish brigade with the federals burned
the goods shed. According to the
townspeople many of them were drunk
The Beers are now trekking to the
Vaal river where they are entrenching.
Gen. French encamped northeast of the
town and dispatched force to cut the
line. The project succeeded late at
night, but unfortunately after the de-
parture of the last train. Although
the troops had marched 1G miles they
were in excellent form on entering the
town. Many arrests have been made
chiefly of those who had maligned the
British. 1t was found that many per-
sons have been deported from Lady
brand for ultra-sympathy with the
British.
special from Stone Hill farm, Ma
tai, dated May Ia, says: Gen Buffers
advance commenced on the 10th, when
he left Ladysmith in strength. When
within two miles of Helpmakaar, the
Beers opened a heavy artillery fire and
the British guns replied, while por-
ton of Buffers troops worked around
the Boer tanks The British attack
was pressed home on the 18th. Beth
une, on the right, outfianked the Beers,
whose splendid defensive positions on
the Biggarsburg were practically taken.
Gen. Buffers march subsequent to the
attack, was carried out without hitch.
The British are still pushing on.
The official closing of the 1899 volks-
raad, which broke up unofficially in
September last, took place at Pretoria
on the 9TH. The vacant seats of Gen.
Joubert and Gen. De Kock and others
were filled with flowers In the prayer
of the chaplain an allusion to Gen.
Joubert moved many to tears After
the prayer the raad ad journed to the
afternoon, when the session of 1900
was inaugurated. President Kruger
arrived in the state carriage with the
usual escort. All the diplomatists and
All the prisoners in the hands of the
British at Kroonstad agree that the
quarrel between the Free Staters and
the Transvaalers is so acute that the
Transvaalers have decided to leave their
allies, whom they accuse of cowardice
and lack of patriotism. The prisoners,
even the Transvaalers, appear glad to
haan nj,
are sick of war which can have only |
one end. Several have exclaimed, 1--WE |
have lost our liberty; but why should
we lose our lives?"
The British column, 5000 strong, has !
arrived at Vryburg, 100 miles from +
Mafeking. 1t reached there on the 10th,
and, though harassed by the Beers, is
pushing swiftly forward. Fifty miles
south of Vryburg, at Taungs, is Gen.
Hunters main body, moving slowly
and contending with considerable
forces. The pick of his mounted men
are the 5000 who are going without
transport and at rate that
may possibly bring them to Mafeking
on the 14th or 18TH
The Bryan Home Guards, military
club of Lincoln, Neb, on the Sth
adopted resolutions bearing on the
South African war, concluding as fol-
lows: 1--WE believe that this unholy
war which Britain is now carrying on
N South Africa is wicked and destruc-
tive to human liberty and is prompted
Dy avarice and greed. We believe the
Beers deserve the sympathy of all men
md that Britain should be condemned
oy the civilized world"
Gel. Huttons advanced camp of the
colonial regiments is now settled at
siding. According to re-
ports the Beers intend to make a big
stand near the Zand river. The rail
Dad has been repaired to the south
If the Vet river and the engineers are
BUSY making a deviation across the bed.
The British advance guard is within
IS miles of Kroonstadt. Free Staters,
n the expectation that kroonstadt will
speedily become untenable, are. accord
ng to information from Lorenzo Mar
lueZ, preparing to transfer their gov
to Hebron. 80 miles north
asst.
A st. Petersburg dispatch says: The
'eople of Orel, Russia, have subscribed
1000 roubles to send a party of volun-
GERS to the Transvaal. The celebrated
n. John, of Cronstadt, has given the
Expedition his blessing, and presented
holy ikon to the members.
The Netherlands peace society has
ddresSed an appeal to President Nc
iinley begging him to further the
eaceful object of the Boer mission, to
investigate their case, to bring about
FILTRATION and put stop to the PERM
ious war in South Africa.
President Steyn is now at Lindley,
he new seat of the Free State govern
lent.