The Portland daily press., 1900-05-23
TO A FINISH.
Beers Say They will Fight
1t Out.
Won't Consider Uncon-
ditional Surrender.
Minority Of kaderS Advocate Sur.
render Without Terms.
Families of Leaders
Leaving Pretoria.
More RumOrs of Peace Neg0-
tiati0ns.
More RumOrs of Peace Neg0-
tiatiOns.


vaal government has informed the cores
pondents at Pretoria that it has not con-
sidered and does not intend to consider
unconditional surrender, but will fight
to a finish. The foreign consuls have
been informed that Johannesburg will be
defended and the government announces
that it WIN not hold itself responsible
for injury to person or property resulting
| from the defense measures.
Pretoria dispatches affirm that Presi-
dent Kruger, President Steyn and all the
most prominent leaders of both republics
after prolonged interchange of views are
determined to continue the resistance
but that minority of the leaders advo-
cate surrender without terms.
| Mrs. Reitz, wife of the Transvaal state
secretary and her family, with the famil-
les of other officials, have gone to Lour-
eneo Marques. Johannesburg and Pre-
toria are being cleared of non -combatants.
The Boer chiefs, who now recognize the
possibility that they will have to defend
these cities, are preparing with the ut
most haste. The Boer spirit has been
rising from low ebb and is now ready
| for steadfast resistance. Nevertheless,
according to the Daily Chronicle, long
messages in Dutch have been received by.
the British government by way of
Amsterdam, in which President Kruger
seeks peace. According to one account,
President Kruger surrenders uncondi-
tionally; according to another he asks for
terms. There seems to be good reason
! for believing that he is earnestly endeav-
oring to secure terms, but cable inquir-
les fail to confirm the assertion that cor
respondence has recently passed between
Great Britain and the Transvaal respect
| ing terms.
Lord Roberts is again moving. The
British infantry left Kroonstad Monday
and headquarters was expected to leave
yesterday. The railway has been restored
and the first train is due to arrive today.
The Beers are busy blasting for gun
emplacements along the Rhonoster river.
General De Wet commands as General
Botha is i'll.
The advance of Lord Roberts will prob
ably be swift. 1t is the expectation of
well Informed observers here that the
Vaal river, S5 miles beyond Kroonstad,
will be crossed by the end of the week.
Sir Redvers Butler, in a general order
to his troops congratulating them on the
result Of their ten day operations, says
they We're only checked at Laing's Mex
by fresh commando sent from the
Transvaal General Clery with a cavalry
brigade, engaged the rear guard of the
Beers at Laing's Mex Sunday, captured
number of wagons and took some pris-
oners. His artillery shelled the Mex.
The Beers in their retreat laid waste the
territory, blew up bridges and burned
several houses, as many as six in New
castle. The machinery of the navigation
colleries was ruined.
General Butler, replying to residents
of: Newcastle, who presented to him
trophy, said he expected to return from
Pretoria soon.
Nothing new concerning the relief of
Mafeking has come through. All the
accounts of the engagement on May 10,
extol the bravery of the Canadians. Col
Mahon's column arrived at the rendez-
vous one hour after Col. Plumer, showing
with what accuracy the movements were
timed.
One of the morning papers suggests
that the men of England should present
a sword TO Lady Sarah Wilson, the Daily
Nails correspondent at Mafeking, during
the siege.
PARTY OF BRITISH AMBUSHED.
London, May %, $3.50 p. NIT is Off
cially announced that Col. Bethune has
reported that while marching in the di-
rection of Newcastle, Natal, yesterday,
one of his squadrons of mounted infantry
was ambushed by party of Beers, six
miles west of Vryheid In the Transyaal
and that very few of his force escaped.
His casualties number 66 men.
BRITISH CROSS vAAL.
Cape Town, May 81, Monday-British
troops have arrived at Veereeniging lin
the Transvaal north OF the Vaal river.
I he bridge across the Vaal was found to