The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-03-23

London, Mauch Is. - The war Office
has received the following dispatch
from lord Roberts announcing his &C.
cuparcy of Bloemfontein:
"Bloemfontcin, March 10, 8 p. M
BY the help 1T God and by the bravery
OF her majesty's soldiers, the troops
under my command have taken pos.
session Of Bloemfontein. The British
flag now flies over the presidency.
evacuated last evening by President
Steyn, late president Of the Orange
Free State. Mr.. frazer. member of
the late executive government: the
mayor, the secretary of the late gov
eminent; the landrost and other Of
ficials met me two miles from the town
and presented me with the keys Of the
public offices. The enemy have with
drawn from the neighborhood, and all
seems quiet. The Inhabitants Of
Bloenfontein gave the troops cordial
| welcome"
The above dispatch, though dated
| Tuesday, was not received at the wal
Office unit, 1880 p. M. Wednesday,. 1t
was made public few minutes before
8. The delay is attributed to- the field
telegraphs not being connected with
Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening. Elk.
TIA papers are already out on the
streets and the night crowds of London
are singing patriotic songs and engag-
ing in demonstrations.
Hoistcd the White Flag.
London, March 15.-A dispatch to the
Daily Chronicle from Bloemfontein,
dated Tuesday evening, says:
"Bloemfonten surrendered at 10
o'clock to-day. 1t was occupied lat
noon. President Steyn, with a majority
Of the fightings burghers, has fed
northward. Gen. French was within
five miles of the place at 5 O'clock
Monday afternoon. He sent a sum-
mons into town, threatening to bonn
bard unless it surrendered by 4 a. m.
Tuesday. 4 white flag was hoisted
Tuesday morning and a deputation OF
the town council, with Mayor Kellner,
came out to meet Lord Roberts at
Spitz kop, five miles south of town,
making a formal surrender Of the
place. Lord Roberts made a state
entry at noon. He received ire
mendous ovation. After visiting the
public building he went to the official
| residence of the president followed by
a cheering crowd, who waved the
British flag and sang the British ma
tional anthem. They We're in a condi-
ton of frenzied excitement. On Mon
day afternoon. previous to the surren-
der, there had been little sniping and
Smelling. but the enemy then retired.
| Lord Roberts has his headquarters at
the presidents house and there are
many of the British wounded in the
building. The railway is not injured"
Roberts the Hero of the Hour.
London, March 15.-The first half Of
| arrived ut Modder river on Feb 8. He
entered Bloemfontein on March Is.
Thus, in little over q month, lie has
Ladysmith, the capture Of Gen.
Cronje's forces and the hosting of the
British flag in the capital Of the Free
State. All this has been accomplished
with comparatively trihing losses. 1t
is small wonder that he is the hero of
the hour in England. All the ncwspa-
country. The talk of the Free State
as having passed out existence as being
now one Of the shadows of history.
1t is not doubted that there may yet
he heavy fighting, but the genius of
Lord Roberts is looked ~ for victory
over all difficulties. His grim reference
to the late" President S:eyn is under
stood TO show that there shall be NJ
ambiguity as to the position assumed
toward the republics. The fact that
Mr.. Fraser. late chairman Of the Free
State raad. and leader OF the opposition
10 Mr.. Steyn, came with the dcputation
to surrender the keys, is regarded as
extremely significant OF considerable
difference of opinion anon: the Free
Staters regarding the war. 1t is said
that President Kruger hates Mr.. Fras-
er on account Of his sympathy with the
Uitlarders. The demonstrations of the
Bloemfontein inhabitants are also re-
garded as a good augury for the future
OF the British supremacy
Advance Being Pushed.
| London. March 15.-The British con.
tinue pressing their advance on the Or
ange river. The Beers still hold Beth
| ulie bridge, on the north side Of the
stream. but their trenches are dom.
mated by the British artillery. Heavy
firing is liz progress ard there has been
some skirmishing. Lord Kitchener
seems to be very successful III reducing
the extent Of the Dutch rising.
Fight to the Death Says Kruger.
New York, March Is. = A dispatch
from President Kruger to the Evening
Journal, dated Pretoria, March 13. 8
p. NJ, via Berlin, says: 1.-THE burgners
will only cease fighting with death
our forces are returning in good order
to our lines Of defense on our own SOIL.
The Natal campaign was longer in our
favor than we expected. The British
will never reach Pretoria. The burgh-
ers, Steyn, Joubert and myself, as we'll
as all the others are united. There are
no differences. God help u.s.
A Boer Refutatfon,
London, March 15.-The Daily Mail
has the following dispatch from Pre-
toria, dated March 12a ''Lord Sails
bury's reply has been received, and a
Boer REPUTATION Of the British conten-
ton is under consideration. 1t will de-
ny that any annexation has been made