The evening times., 1900-03-20

LONDON, March 2O.-A despatch re-
ceived this morning states that General
Kitchener has entered Prieska, Cape Col
ony. without encountering opposition. AS
previous reports had enlarged upon the
dlsaffection of he Dutch colonials in this
district the news causes considerable sur
prise. However. it is probable that the
rebellion there has faded before the dis
asters inflicted upon the Boer ,ause in
Natal and Orange Free State. The fear,
quite strongly entertained in some quart
ers, that the necessity Of holding down
these rebels with a strong hand would de-
lay the subiugation OF Orange Free State
and the Transvaal is now swept away,
and II is probable that only small force
will be required to garrison PTieska.
The report that Mafeking had been re-
lieved has not obta't confirmation at the
war Office and the ,nxiety for the garrison
is daily increasing. Ten days have elapsed
without news from Baden Powells gallant
band and the news at the beginning Of the
silence was such that il seems almost i'm
possible for him TO have held out this long.
However, London people are hoping .or the
best and praying that Methuens column
or Plumers has reached Mafeking, or is
near there at this time.
I<ruEer's Reported Declaration.
In a Pretoria despatch received today
President Kruger is reported as saying
that he will die in the trenches defending
Pretoria before he will yield to Great Brit
ain.
Better death for me than not liberty, e"
he said. This war was forced upon US
by England. which has been misled by
Cecil Rhodes and the mining millionaires
who want the country. The Beers yielded
as far as possible, until they saw that
nothing but complete surrender Of their
independence would satisfy England.
Having been forced into war. the Beers
will conquer or die. ! expect no aid from
other nations but we are glad of sympa-
thy and friendship. The TransvaaI is will
ing to make peace at any time, but we
want no more conventions.
only absolute independence is possible.
I'VE do not want more territory. but are
content with our present frontier, if We
are permitted to live peacefully. This is
all we ask.
"The Transvaal will stipulate in the
peace terms that the Natal and Cape Col
ony Dutch now fighting with the Beers.
shall be regarded as belligerents and suI-
fer no loss OF property. ! recently learned
that some Of these men had been captured
by the British and were being tried a,
Cape Town. charged with treason.
This Government cabled Lord Sails
bury. stating that If such men were not
treated as prisoners OF war we would make
Teprisals on the British prisoners held here.
Lord Salisbury replied. lodging the real
point and threatened II We injured a sin
gle British prisoner to hold me personally
responsible. I suppose he meant the Brit
ish would hang me.
such threats are contemplate and can
not prevent me from performing my duty
TO my country. The Transvaal Govern
ment replied today, informing Lord Sails
bury that they despise his threats
There is no truth in the story OF con-
spiracy among the South African Dutch.
This is not their quarrel. The Orange
Free State is bound by treaty to aid US
Mr.. Schreiner repeatedly urged US to yield.
1t is too early to prophesy tie out
come o. the war or its duratiOu The
Beers are in Gods hands and he will not
lei US perish. Our total fighting strength
is but 10000, but with Gods aid we can
prevail.
Il have 200 blood relatives fighting and
would rather see them all perish than
yield to England's uuholy aggression. 1t
is liberty or death. / have protected Brit
ish property in the Transvaal and shall
continue to do So