The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-15
LORD ROBERTS [: '|'
IN BL0EMF F0NTEIN. 0 N
The British Flag Flies
From Top OF Capitol.
A CORDIAL WELCOME M E.
Met Two Miles From the City With
Keys Of Public Offices.
THE BOERS HAVE WITHDRAWN.
The Crowds iii London Singing Patri-
otic Songs and Engaging in Patri-
otic Dcmonstrations-Bitt Dis
appointment ut Ensland's
Reply to Ringers Offer
of Peace.
+. r ! ( t a
A CORDIAL WELCOME
THE BOERS HAVE WITHDRAWN.

LONDON, March 15:e4:15 ~. M-Ihe
first half of the campaign is ever. LORD
Roberts arrived at N1odder River on CD
ruary 9th and entered B!oemlonlehn cii
March 18th Thus in Il little over q
month he has effected the relief OF kim
berlcy and Ladysmith. the capture of
General Cronjcs forces, and the fhoistins
Of the British flag in the capital Of the
Free state All this has been accom-
plishcd with comparatively triflnG losses
He is the hero of the hour in England.
1t is not doubted there may yet be
heavy fighting, but the genius OF LORD
Roberts is looked to for victory over all
difficulties. His grim reference 20 me
Late President Steyn is understood to
show that there shall be no ambiguity
as to the position assumed toW'Ho the
republics The fact that Mr.. Fraser,
late chairman of the Free State Raad
and leader of the opposition to Mr. Sfeyn,
came with the deputa ton to surrender
the keys, is regarded as extremely Sig
nifcant of considerable differences OF
opinion among the Free StateTs regarding
the war. It is said that President Kruger
hates Mr.. Fraser on account OF ms sym
pathy with the Outlanders. The demon
strations of the Blocmfontein inhabitants
are also regarded as a good ausury Stor
the future Of British supremacy
RUSSIA is AMAZED.
It is Interesting in connection with
the rapid advance of Lord Roberts to
learn that the Russian military attache
with the Beers who were captured by
the British, sent the following telegram
to the Gear:
Il am perfectly amazed at the energy
in action and the endurance of the
British Infantry. l need say no more"
There is still no news as to whether
Lord Roberts has captured any rolling.
stock If he has not then he will be
obliged to wait until the repairing of
the bridges over the Orange River en-
ables him to bring rolling stock up.
The British are pressing their advance
on the Orange River. The Beers still
hold Betholie Bridge on the north side
of the stream, but their trenches are
dominated by the British artillery.
Heavy fighting is in progress, and there
has been some skirmishinS. Lord
Kitchener seems to be very successful
in reducing the extent Of the Dutch
rising.
LONDON. March 14-9 P. Mt is
officially announced that Lord Roberts
has occupied Bloemfontein, and that the
British flag is flying from the top OF
the Capitol.
s;oB's DISPATCH.
LONDC~, March 1.-THE following is
the text of Lord Roberts dispatch to
the War Office, announcing his occupa-
ton of Bloemfontein:
"BLOEMFONTEIN, Tuesday. March
l3-S p. My the help of God ana
by the bravery of Her Majesty's sol
diers. the troops under my command
have taken possession of Bloemtontein.
The British flag now flies over the Pres
idency, evacuated last evening by MT.
Steyn late president of the Orange Free,
state. NIr. Fraser, member of the late
Executive Government; the Mayor, the
secretary of the late government, the
Landrost, and other officials met me
two miles from the town and presented
me with keys of the public offices.
ENEMY WITHDRAWN.
.The enemy have withdrawn from the
neightorhood, and all seems quiet. Inc
inhabitants of Bloemfontein gave the
troops a cordial welcome.
The above dispatch, though dated
Tuesday, was not received at the war
Office until 80 p. M. "Wednesday. II
was made public few minutes #pefore
O'Clock The delay is attrlputedi ~
the field telegraph not being connected
with Rloemfontein on Tuesday evening
15xtra Dapers are already out on me
streets, and the night crowds OF Lon Lon
don are singing patriotic songs anu u
engaging in patriotic demonstrations:
I.ord Roberts, dispatch caused Sfeelng
of great relief The absence OF the news,
eagerly looked for, had provoked some
apprehension during the carrier parL. o.
the day, that the British had met win
check before Bloemfontein, and anxious
inquiries were made at the war O1iice
and in the lobbies of Pariiament nt.s1. L.
On the reception Of the news, the queen
NJ Windsor castle. the Prince of&NVales,
~ T,rlhoro,,eh House, and Lord Wolseley
E.,d others were Immediately notified, but
~ q so.clock theSWar Office was almost de-
serted. the public having given up hope
~ further news until tomorrow (Thurs-
davl. The appearance Of the newspapers
with tidings caused great exciteme along
SPa,1s Mall, Service Clubs, and in the West
End generally.
Owing to the late hour. however, there
was no demonstration approaching IN the
ran,otest degree those which heralded the
surrender of General Cronje and the relief
of Ladysnith. It SO happened that
storchlight procession, organized on an ex-
tensiye scale for the widows and orphans
of the soldiers, was ,parading South Lon
don with bands and banners This in
5ch,ded a body of uniformed men, rep
resenting the British field forces, the sur
render of Cronje, and other inspiring in-s
2cidents The route was hung with flags
and stands were erected at numerous
points Of principal streets for spectators.
Naturally, the appearance Of the extra
+fNps tho