Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-18
HOOPSTAD OCCUPIED
Methuen Captures Two Boer Gen
erals and Forty Men.
his MARCH ALMOST UNOPPOSED
Belief Gaining Ground That End
of War is Near.
MORE :.IAFEKTNG RUMORs

LONDON, May 1S.-The following is the
text of Lord Roberts dispatch to the war
office:
"KROONSTAD. May 1s.-Methuen en-
tered Hoopstad yesterday unopposed. Cen
erals Duprey and Daniels and forty men
have surrendered.
"Broadwood occupied Lindley yesterday
after slight opposition. Only two of our
men We're wounded. Steyn was not there
and his government officials had left last
Sunday.
"Hutton's mounted infantry yesterday
surprised and captured. about thirty miles
northwest of this place, Commandant
Botha. Field Cornet Gassen. five Johannes
burg policemen and seventeen Beers. There
were no casualties cur side.
"Buller reports that several Natal farm
ers are handing in arms
End of War in Sight.
Details of past operations tend to con-
firm the view that the end of the war Is
within measurable distance. From Kroon-
stad comes a story. attributed TO excellent
authority. to the effect that a peace party
is being formed at Pretoria. while reports
from Pretoria itself indicated encourage
ment at the recent reverses and the pos
sibility of an early suing for peace.
There is nothing to throw light on the
mystery of Mafeking. The usual crop of
rumors were started on the stock exchange
and elsewhere, based mostly on the fact
that this day May Is is the earliest date
on which Lord Roberts held out to Mafe-
King the prospects of relief. The national
anxiety is strained almost beyond endur-
ance. although nowhere is there the
slightest doubt that Col. Baden-Powell will
keep the union jack flying
Latest RumOr About Mafekins
The latest report is to the effect that the
Mafeking relief force left Bloemfontein at
the beginning of May and marched straight
across the country toward the goal pass
ing to the rear of The Boer forces at Four
teen Streams 1t is added that satisfactory
news of the progress of this force was re-
ceived May II. leading to confident antici-
patton in high quarters that it has by now
achieved its mission.
On the line of Lord Roberts advance the
only important news is that the Boars have
blown up bridge over the Rhenos;er river,
thlrty-seven miles north Of kroonstad.
From both the right and left ianks of the
British army comes the important news
that Lord Roberts has brought the two
wings of his forces on a level with he main
body. As shown in his dispatch to the war
office announcing that Lord Methucn had
entered Hoopstad YESTERDAY. and that Cen
Broadwood's cavalry had occupied Lindley
the same day. and as riany had cX-
pected. Lord Roberts advance has been
promptly resumed.
Identity of BOtha.
Evidently the Commandment Botha. whom
Lord Roberts reported captured, with a
number OF others. thirty miles northwest
OF kroonstad. is not the federal command
er-in-chief. or Lord Roberts would have
mentioned that fact in his dispatch.
Rumors are current at Lorenzo Marques
that further fighting has occurred on the
railroad south Of Mafeking.
More RumOrs About Mafekfns.
LONDON. May 1S.-A special dispatch
from Lorenzo Marques, dated yesterday,
says the last go refugees who arrived there
agree in stating that Mafeking had been re-
Heved. The end of the war is anticipated
by the queens birthday. May "a.
II Is stated at the war Office that no news
as to the relief of Mafeking had been re
ceived up to = o'clock this morning.
Butler Occupies Dannhauser.
DANNHATSER, Thursday May Ii
Cen Butler entered Dannhauser at 10
O'Clock this morning. The houses in the
town We're found to he not much damaged,
owing TO the sympathies Of the Beer in
habitants. A house at Hating Spruit, how
ever, was destroyed. y number of rebels
were found at their homes ani arrested.
The railwtS is little damag ged. but several
large culverts have been destroyed.
The Beers north Of New Castle are fall
3ng back ANA juba.
Gen. Butler has received q message from
the queen congratulating him upon the
taking of Dundee, and expressing apprecia-
ton OF the work of the troops, u which he
has replied.
The Beers left two doctors and an am
fClance here.