Willmar tribune., 1900-05-30
WILL CONTINUE TO. FIGHT.
Considered by Doer Leaders-CDl.
4. Bethune's Force Ambushed.

London, May 23.-The Transvaal gov
ernment has informed the correspond
ents at Pretoria that it has not con-
sidered and does not intend to con-
slider unconditional surrender, but will
light to a finish. The foreign consuls
have been informed that johannesburg
will be defended, and the government
announces that it will not hold itself
responsible for injury to person or
property resulting from the defense
measures. Pretoria dispatches affirm
that President Kruger, President
Steyn and all the most prominent lead
ers OF both republics, after a prolonged
interchange of views, are determined
10 continue the resistance, but that a
minority of the leaders advocate sur
render without terms.
Mrs. Reitz, wife of the Transvaal
state secretary, and her family, with
the families of other officials, have
gone to Lourenzo MARQUES Johannes
ourg and Pretoria are being cleared
OF noncombatants. The Boer chiefs,
VINO now recognize the possibility
that they will have to defend these
cities, are preparing with the utmost
haste. The Boer spirit has been. ris-
ing 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 gov
eminent by way of Amsterdam, in
which President Kruger seeks peace.
According to one account, President
Kruger surrenders Internationally;
according to another he asks for
terms. There seems to be good. rea-
son for believing that he is earnestly
endeavoring to secure terms, but cable
inquiries fail to confirm the assertion
that. correspondence has recently
passed between Great Britain and the
Transvaal respecting terms.
Cape Town, Monday, May 21.-Brit-
lsh troops have arrived at Veereenig-
ing Tin the Transvaal, north of the
Vaal river). The bridge across the
Vaal was found to be intact. Twenty
seven Free State and Transvaal loco
motives were captured.
London, May %. - The war Office has
received the following dispatch from
Gen. Butler:
Newcastle, May 22.-I have received
the following from Bethune: May q,
While marching in the direction of New
CASTLE one of my squadrons of Bethune's S
mounted infantry was ambushed by
Beers six miles west of Vryheid and very
few escaped. Lieuts. Lausum and Capell
ttn wis
La War; is slightly wounded in the leg.
The total casualties are about 66. I have
returned to NQutu for supplies. Will
march tomorrow for Newcastle via Dun
dee.'"
Gen. Butler then proceeds:
II detached Col. Bethune and about SOC
men from Dundee May II with instruc-
tions to march by Vaults drift and show
his force at N'Qutu, which was reported
to have been evacuated by the enemy,
preparatory to the return of the magis-
trates and civil establishment to the dis
trict. He was to rejoin me at Newcastle
afterwards
Lord Roberts reports to the war of.
flee in a dispatch dated Kroonstad
May 21, as follows:
"Mahon reports that the flying column
entered Mafeking at four a. m., May Is
He was stubbornly opposed by 1,5oo mer
| on May II, nine miles from Mafeking
but the Beers were driven from theil
strong positions after five hours fight.
ing, thanks, he says, to the magnificent
qualities of his troops. A detachment OF
l"Canadian artillery, by a series of forced
marches, reached him the morning of the
fighting and rendered very valuable as
Sistance.
'Mahon's casualties were about 80. The
Boer losses were heavy"