Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-13
tBy Telegraph to virginlan pIlot.)

(By Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot)
London, May 13.-4 a. m.-The stu
alton at the seat OF war in South Africa
is as satisfactory from the British view
point as the most sanguine friend could
have hoped week ago. The occupa-
ton of Kroonstad practically places the
whole Orange Free state in British pos
session.
1t is evident from Lord Roberts last
dispatch that the distintcgration has
commenced. The Free Statcrs are seat
tering to their homes. while the Trans
walters have gone northwdrd, declin-
ing to fight longer in the Orange Free
State. What little resistance the former
still arc likely to make seems to be cen
tering at Lindley, whittier President
Steyn has transferred his government.
THE BOERS DISHEARTENED.
1t Is evident that the strategy of
Lord Roberts. and the rapidly of his
advance, have bewildered and disheart-
ened the Beers, as their resistance since
the British reached Zand river has
been Slight. The only point where they
seriously attempted to check the adj
vance seems to have been on the British
right, where they defended with some
vigor two kopjes. which eventually
were carried ny TIE East lJhHCdSnlieS
and SusseXes, the Beers finally retreat
ing, leaving group of gunners dead
Oh the top of one OF the hills. The only
point in the Free State where the Beers
seem In any force, except at Lord
Roberts front, Is on the southeast, where
Generals Rumble, Campbell and Bra
bant are holding them in check. west
of Ficksburg and Ladybrand, and are
gradually pushing them back, as we'll
n off rf NJ defa oil hair off
TO break through and threaten Lord
Roberts communications. There is no
further news regarding the advance of
the relief column to Mafeking, but il
Is possible that Lord Roberts successes
will result In forcing the Beers to raise
The siege. Pretoria advices via Lorenzo
Marquee state that the Beers eupply
Of smokeless powder les exhausted, and
that all attempts to manufacture a
fresh supply have been unsuccessful. y
dispatch from Cape Town, dated May
u. says that LtNd Strathcona's Horse
have gone to the front, and that Lord
Castletown has been appointed Com
missioner OF the Wepener District.
London, May 12--l0 p. m.-president
Steyn fled last evening after vainly ell
deavoring to persuade the burghers to
continue opposing us. The Transvaal-
ers said they would no longer fight on
Orange Free State soil and made off
for the Vaal river. The Free StHtcrs
accused the TranSvaalers of having
made use OF them and deserving. MANY
of the Free Staters have gone to their
homes.
The procession entered the town
headed by my body guard. all of whom
were colonies. and after my staff and
foreign officers came the North Somer-
set Imperial Yeomanry. followed by
-Carew's division. consisting OF the
Guards and the Eighteenth Brigade
Navals. the Eig'hty-third. Eighty
fourth and Eighty-fifth Batteries. two
Artillery Company, and the Twelfth
Engineers. The rest OF the force en-
camped around the town.
Before leaving Kroonstad President
Steyn issued II proclamation making
Iirdley the seat OF government of the
Free State.
Generals Botha and Dewet accompa-
MED the TransvaalerS.
LORD ROBERTS ADVANCE
London. May 1880 p. m.-The War
Office has received, the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts,:
"Boshrand. May 12-9:05 a. MI am
eight miles south of Kroonstad. The
enemy evacuated the first line of en-
trenchments during the night. We are
now accommodating towards Kroonstad
General F'rench's cavalry seized the
drift over the Watson river at 4:30 last
evening just al tiiiiC " prevent pttS-
sage being opposed by the enemy"
London, May 12.-11:S5 a. m.-Lord
Roberts telegraphs to the War Office
under date of Geneva Siding. May Ii,
evening, as follows:
"My headquarters, with Pole-Carew's
divIsion. marched twenty miles to-day
and are now at Geneva Siding. fourteen
miles from Eroonstad and about six
miles from Boschrand. where the Beers
arn holding cntrenched positions. Cor
don,s brigade is in touch with them;
fuckers division is short distance
southeast. and Hamllton's force is still
further east
"Rroadwoods brigade overlook part
of the enemy's convoy yesterday at
Potgieter's Laager, southeast of Ven
tersburg and captured several wagons
and some prisoners.
"French, with Porter's and Dickson's
brigades and Huttons mounted infan-
try is some distance due north of this
place.
ROER PRISONERS RELEASED.
1--WE have taken nearly 100 prisoners
during the last two days. All the Free
Staters who could give good account
Of Themselves have been dlsarmed and
allowed to return to their farms
1.-THE nights are getting much cooler"