The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-06

Preceding the Surrender Described
LONDON, June General Roberts is in
hull possession of Pretoria and the British
dag now waves over the Government build
Ings Of the, former Boer Capital. The des-
patch received from the commander-in-
.hief by the War Office indicates that the
city was entered without opposition and
hat the people who remained were pleased
70 witness the practical conclusion of hos
hlities.
Notwithstanding the WEAKNESS OF the
troops. there was a formal demonstration
when the city was officially occupied. the
event having put new life into the men
who had made such remarkable advance
from Bloemfontein TO Pretoria
The cheerful character of General Rob-
erts' telegram indicates that there is lit
tie OF no bitterness of feeling among those
remaining in the former Boer stronghold.
and there is every reason 10 believe that
affairs will soon subside into a normal
condition.
The despatch announcing the official oc-
eupation OF the capital was published by
fhe War Office this morning, and follows:
Pretoria, June 5-(5:S5 p. ny
1he occupation Of the town passed Off
most satisfactorily and the British flag
is now hoisted on top OF the Govern
ment Offices.
The troops met with a much more
enthus 'astic reception than | had an
ticipatei. The Third Battalion of the
Greradier Guards lined the square
when the march past took place.
lowing 10 their having TO be on duty
at some distance round the town very
few o. the cavalry or mounted infan-
try were able to take part in the cere-
mOny. Several Of our officers who have
been prisoners were among the on
lockers. ROBERTS
A helated despatch from Pretoria, via
Lo1renco Marques. indicates that the re-
sistance to General Butler at Laing's Mex
IS rapidly disappearing. The des.ltch
says that at the request of General Butler
4 three days armistice has been agreed
TO by Gen. Christian Botha, the Boer COM
mandant at Laing's Mex. Both command
srs met and held conversation.
1t is officially reported by President
Steyn that in battle on May 80 near Win
burg. General De Wet surrounded, bonn
barded, and captured 200 men Of the I'm
perial Yeomanry. Four officers were also
captured. This is PROBABLY the same fight
referred to in a previous despatch as hay-
ing taken place near SenekaI on May %
General Roberts reported that it occurred
on May 81.
Details OF the proceedings before General
Roberts invested and took possession of
Pretoria are reaching London by way of
Lourenco Marques. having been brought
there from the capital by messenger. A
despatch dated June says:
President Kruger endorsed a resolution
OF the War Office for the defence of Pre-
torla and confirmed the same from Lyden-
berg yesterday.
President Steyn. of tire Orange Free
State, has expressed strong disapproval of
the action of the TransvaaI Government Of
neials in leaving the capital before it was
absolutely necessary.
Another great war council was held at
midEight. At its conclusion strong com
mandos were sent to Rustenburg and Wa
terberg to await the advance under the
forces Of General Baden-PowelI and Colo
mel Plumer.
Utrecht, Natal, has been surrendered
by a small patrol to General Buffers forces
in order to avoid a bombardment General
Butler issued a proclamation, warning the
burghers that concealing arms or sending
them away for the use of the Beers in the
heid would be considered an act Of high
treason and would be criminally punished.
Strong Boer commandos are still at
Laing's Mex. A heavy Creusot gun on a
hill east of Molls KOp bombarded the
British camps yesterday with disastrous
results The distance was six miles
President Steyn telegraphs from the
south Of Kroonstad that a battle at Bid
dolfsberg, near Senekal, on May 90. result
ed most successfully to the Federals.
Four hundred and eighty prisoners were
taken, while on the field were found
lhirty-six British killed and 13O wounded
On tbs following day there was another
success in The vicinity of Lindley. when
ten British were killed and forty cap
tured General De Wet is now between
the Vaal River and vereeninging and
Myerton'
Another undated despatch from Pretoria
says:
The situation is critical but not hope
less. All the remaining town burghers
have been called out. and the present de-
termination is to make a stern resistance
before the capital surrenders.
There was a fierce battle at Orange
Grove today, and 1t is expected that 1t will
be resumed tomorrow. 1t is reported that
the fighting at Kip River and Elsberg