The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-02
LORD ROBERTS SILENT.
Has Not Communicated with London
Since Thursday.

Slncc IKursQay.
LONDON, June 2, 3:45 a. m.-Lord Rob-
erts continues silent regarding Pretoria.
probably because he cannot wire of events
from his own knowledge. Lourenzo Mar
ques, where all the news from the Boer
side is rehandled cables that communica-
tion with Pretoria is now suspended. Some
messages by courier have reached Lour-
EMO Marques, but none of later date than
Wednesday. These assert that the burgh-
ers are in state of panic and that Pre-
toria is being controlled by a vigilance
committee. Lourenzo Marques again sends
the report that President Kruger has been
captured
The news blank gives rise to suspicion
that the citizens committee at Pretoria
may not have been able to carry out their
plans for securing the peaceful entry of
Lord Roberts and sparing the city the
horrors of siege. peace party appeared
to be In. the ascendant: and as soon as
President Kruger and his Cabinet left Pre-
toria to organize a new capital, the citi-
zens' committee persuaded the comman-
dants or the forts to withdraw some of the
troops from the defenses. perhaps with the
view Of keeping order in the town. If
messengers were sent to the British, or IL
the British, being two hours march from
Pretoria on Wednesday, entered ii then or
at any time prior to Friday noon, Lord
Roberts would certainly have telegraphed
this fact. Hence IL looks as though there
was Boer force between Pretoria and
Johannesburg. These soldiers trekkine
back towards Pretoria. some of them fresh
from the fight with General Ian Hamilton.
would have brought a new element into
the situation and would probably oyerrule
the peace committee. taking the direction
OF affairs out of their hands. IL this has
happened the British may. as the Daily
Chronicle says, see some hard fighting be-
fore the British flag flies over Pretoria. for
even IL the Beers held only three forts
standing close together on the hills south
OF the town. they would be in position m
stand siege.
The Beers. according TO special dispatch
from Lourenzo Marques, have re-entered
the northeastern territory of the Free
State and engaged with the British near
ventersburg and Harrismith.
After considerable fighting, the Beers.
with two guns and several Maxim Norden-
feldt guns. are making plucky stand eight
miles east OF Senekal. General Rumble has
succeeded in driving or the Federals. thus
permitting, unopposed. the reoccupation OF
Lindley.
II Is reported from Amsterdam that the
best rooms st Het Haasje. one OF the prin-
cipal hotels there, have been engaged for
President Kruger's occupancy from June q
A belated dispatch from Kroonstad dated
Tuesday. May p. reports that President
Kruger Is very Ill and adds that the sta. ].
tion master at Kroonstad says the presi-
dent IL dead. This, however, was not
credited.
General Butler Is moving slowly against
the Boer fisnks.
A dispatch from yryburg, dated Nav 20
says: During the occupation OF this place
by the Beers they fogged the natives for
slight ofrenses. A whip and several cords
knotfed and salted were found at the police
station. A boy who brought a letter 10 a
woman received twenty-five lashes. and an