Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-07
(By telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)

London, June 7.-S:15 Il. m.-AIilitary
operations in South Africa are ap-
parently at standstill For n day or
two the tired troops of Lord Roberts
are resting, and he is filing the maya
zines and warehouses at his new base,
pretoria, preparatory to a long chase
after the retiring Beers in the direction
of Lydenburg. His cavalry are probably
seeking to intercept Commandment Cen
eral Botha
Some DISPATCHES are to hand which
left Pretoria Monday while the fighting
was going on outside the city. They
come by way of Lourenzo Marques. One
of them says:
General Botha was fighting an es-
sentially guard action his object be-
Ing not to defend Pretoria, but to delay
Lord Roberts until the railway switch
had been cleared and the main part OF
the Boer army had started to with
draw. The British advance appears to
nave left open to the Beers the best
line of retreat along the railway"
Possibly Lord Roberts may have been
able to cut the railway before the full
retirement was effected. That Pretoria
would be defended was apparently
given out after the council of war, with
view of misleading the British.
Lydenburg. the district into which
the provisions originally destined for
Pretoria have been diverted. and where
cartridge factory has been erected
and reserve supplies OF all sorts are
stored is n volcanic region of fertile
valleys, enclosed by great ramparts Of
precipltous rocks. penetrated by mar
row, winding passes. There are herds
OF cattle in the valleys. ana there is
much native labor available for forth
flying.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph
from Newcastle dated Tuesday. de-
4
rabble, without -four. meat or sugar
Their surrender is only question of
time. Nevertheless the correspondent
AYERS they hold strong positions with
the prospect OF q safe retreat toward
Lydenburg.
1t Is understood ut Newcastle that
the British government has approached
the Natal government with a PROPOSE
zion that Natal should voluntarily re-
nounce local self government for a time
in order that a general system Of crown
government may be instituted for all
South Africa, leading in the course of
time to federation and the subsequent
autonomy Of the various States stimuli
taneously.
Lourenzo Marques correspondents at
tach significance TO the number of
British warships in Delagoa Bay. sug-
Sesting that they are possibly in antici-
patton OF aiding the Portuguese in the
event of disturbances on the Transvaal
border.
London. June 6-l0:35 a. m.-Lord
Roberts tcloEraphs TO the War Office as
follows:
Pretoria, June 5.-5;35 p. m.-The oc-
cupation OF the town passed off most
satisfactorily and the British flag Is
now hoirstcd on top Of the Government
offices. The troops met with Il much
more enthusiastic reception than l an
ticipated. The Third battalion OF the
Grenadier Guards lined the square
which me march past took place.
owing To their having been on duty
ht some distance around the town. very
few cavalry and infantry were able to
take part in the ceremony.
Several of our officers who had been
prisoners were among the on-lookers."
BOTILA AND THE LEADERS.
London, June CT appears evident
that the BOcr Comma ndcr-in- Chief.
General Rotla, with all his guns, with
drew from Pretoria In good order. prob
ably along the Delagoa Bay railroad.
with the view of joining President
Kruger. So the Transvaal forces re-
main pro ctically intact with Presidents
1Sruger and Steyn and General Botha
land Secretary OF state Reitz all safe
and in n position to continue the direc-
tfon Of Affairs. The more op;imiestic
see in the facts that President kruger's
wife and General Bctha's wife were left
NS Pretoria an Indication that the Pres
ddent does not count on Il long resist
ance. In any case it will probably take
Lord Roberts at ieaet week TO organ
lie a campaign of pursuit
a belatcd dispatch from Mafeking.
dated May 81 announces the British
OCCUPATION of Mahmni. where 200 Beers
surrendered.
Among :he officers of the Thirteenth
Imperial Yeomanry captured are the
Earl Of I.eitiim, the Earl of Longford
and The Earl Of Ennismoor.
THREE DAYS ARMISTICE
London, June GA desHatch from
1-ourenzo Marques. dated Tuesday.
June 8, says:
General Butler and Christian Botha
met at Laing's Mex at Buffers request.
when n three days armlstice was
agreed upon.
The des.atch adds that the British
have evacuated Utracht
London, June Ga correspondent at
Six Mile Spruit tc1egraphing under dai.e
of June 4, $3.50 p. m. says:
Lord Roberts now holds the key to
the town. Henry today found the
Beers holding positions south of Pre-
toria. PoleCarew's division arrived
late and attacked and took the posi-
lions. The Beers used big guns The
British shclled ScahZe Koop fort with
Lyddte. Night prevented further
advance"
a special from Shanghai dated G:
There Is an unconflrmed report that
two Russian engineers have been muir
dered at Yu Chow Flu, northwest of
Port Arthur. after their wives had been
outraged.
The total damage done to the Chinese
railroads by the Boxers Is now estlmat,
ed at s6,000,000.