The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-31
1000 BOERS DISARMED
Two Commanders of the Free
otaterS Give Up Struggle.
HUNTERS IMPORTANT CAPTURE
British Commander Informed that About
5000 Burghers Desired TO Surrender.
but the Terms Proved Acceptable Only to
Gems. PrinsioO aud Crowther, the Re-
mainder Choosing 10 Continue ia Field
Belief that They Cannot Escape.

Bloemfontein, July 30-Gen. Hunter.
having received q written unconditional
surrender of all the Beers in Caledon VAL
ley, Free State, attended to accept the
surrender. Gen. Prinsloo. lately elected
to the chief command of the Beers In
that quarter, arrived and tried to repuGi-
ate the unconditional surrender. Gen.
Hunter, however. refused any cOnces-
sions, except to allow the Beers to keen
one riding horse.
About II o'clock Monday the troops
We're drawn up in two long lines on the
nils and over the valley and the Beers
rode in between, throwing down their
rifles. together with a motley collection
of clothing, blankets, and gear. such as
was found in Gen. Cronjes lager.
The Flcksburg commando was first TO
lay down arms. consisting of about $50
men, Then came the Iadybrand comman-
do with about 40. Fifteen horses. two
guns, and fifty wagons were given up.
Gen Prinsloo and COmmandant Growth
er We're received by Gen. Hunter at mis-
tent, where they were we'll treated and
accorded ever courtesy.
Many of the Beers have gone through
Naauwpoort and will surrender to Gen.
here The Harrismith' and Crede com
nandOes are yet at large, as we'll as
some Beers who got out cf the valley at
night. but the prisoners say that those
outside will surrender and that this Will
practically eEd the Free State army.
The Negotiations.
The following official dispatch has been
received from Lord ROBBERS:
Pretoria, July 9.-OR July % Macdon-
aid fought a rear-guard action with the
enemy from early n orning until dark
nine miles outside Of Naauwpoort, in the
Bethlehem hills. resulting in his enectu-
ally blocking NaauTpOort Mex 10 the
BOer wagons.
Hunter reports that the enemy twice
checked his advance by holding strong
positions on two necks, one Of which was
taken before dark by the Scots. the Royal
Irish. the Wiltshire. and the Leins.er
Regiments. Our casualties were only five
OF six. The second neck was taken dur
ing the fight by the Scots and Guards
without opposition, the enemy retiring
closely 70 NaauwpOOrt
Prisoners taken state that twelve hun
dred burghers would surrender II guarar-
teed that they would be treated as pris-
oners of war and\not as rebels. To this
] had assented. As a result OF these Ope-
ratiOns Prinsloo, cOmman nGing the BOrrs.
asked under a flag Of truce this fnOruing
a four days armistice for peace negOtia-
tons.
PrinsioO AcrepI. the Terms
Hunter replied the only terms he could
accept were unconditional surrender. and.
until these were complied with. hostlitis-s
could not cease. I expressed approval.
and told Hunter on 10 account 70 enter
into negotiations.
As ! an writing, telegram has come
from Hunter. saying that PFinsIO0 had
written a second letter expressing wiling
ness 10 hand over himself. with his men.
rifles. ammunition. ana other firearms.
upon condition that the horses. saddles.
brides. and other possessions Of the
burghers BE- guaranteed tnem. and they Be
free 10 return u their homes
Il have replied that the surrender rnus,
D. absolutely unconditional: that ali r{fes
ammunition. hOfses. and other rgzscs-
sions must D given Up, and thai th.
buFghers VIII BE- considered urisCrfra nf
war ] added that PrinsiOO's 0versur.s
VIII not u allowed n aay Way IN infer.
frrs with Hunters operations. which nousr
b. continued until The enemy b defeafed
or has surrendered
A later dljpatch from Gen. Roberts
dated July -. confirms the surrender al
PTinsioO, with 5.H1 BCera.