Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1900-05-18

ed the following from Gen. Roberts:
"Kroonstad.-I entered Kroonstad
at 1:80 Saturday without opposition
when the Union Jack was hoisted
amidst cheers from tho few British res
idents.
President Steyn fled, after vainly
endeavoring to persuade the burghers
to continue opposing. The Transvaal-
ers said they would no longer fight on
Orange Free State soil, and made OF
for the Vaal river. Free Staters &C.
cused the Transvaal Of having made
use of them and then deserting.
Many Of the Free Staters have gone
to their homes.
THE procession entering the town
was headed by my body guard, all of
whom were colonials, and after my
staff and foreign officers came the
North Somerset Imperial Yeomanry,
followed by Pole -Carew's division, con-
sisting Of the guards and Eighteenth
brigade navals, the Eighty-third,
Eighty-fourth and Eighty-Hfth batter
les, two fve.inch guns manned by the
Royal artillery company and the
Twelfth engineers. The first Of the
force encamped around the town.
"Befors leaving Kroonstsd, Presi-
dent Steyn issued proclamation max
ing Lindley the seat of government of
the Free State.
'Gens. Botha and DeWet accompan-
led the Transvalers.
"Gen. French's cavalry seized the
drift over the vslsch river, just In
time to prevent passage being opposed
by the enemy.
"Broadwood's brigade overlook part
Of the enemy's convoy at Potgieter' q
lsager, southeast of ventersburg, and
captured several wagons and prisoners.
"We have taken 100 prisoners dur
ing the last few days. ALI the Free
Staters who could give q good account
Of themselves have been disarmed and
allowed to return to their farms.
"The nights are getting much
cooler
Not since Ladysmith and Kimberly
were relieved has London been In such
| state of excitement as it was when
above dispatch was made public.
"Kroonstad taken, and without op-
position. The news came almost
like thunderclap. Some of the mil
itary experts had been saying that
Kroonstad would be taken without
stiff fighting, but the public were very
skeptical Not only from study of
the map, but also from other sources. 1t
was known that numerous kop,es In
the neighbcrhood of Kroonstad afford
ed the Beers the best opportunity for
offering strong opposition.
On the other hand. these military
Fcritics pointed out that the country be-
hind Kroonstad was SO open that q
protracted resistance at that point In
volved serious risk of the Boer re.
treat being cut off by British caval
ry, which could be sent around il
large force. Although few details
have reached London beyond the facI
that Kroonstad was occupied. soou
afternoon. and the British flag hoist
cd it is evident that when the Free
State capital was removed by, proclaim
alton to Lindley, that the Boer com.
manders were fully alive to the danger
of their stronghold.
Nevertheless the British public
never imagined that the taking Of
Kroonstad would prove such simple
matter.
Lord Roberts dispatch arrived after
London had begun the nights amuse-
ments Saturday-after the first acts In
the theatres. when people had crowded
into the lobbies and In clubs where
people were enjoying after dinner
smokes.
As the news was ratified out by the
tickers great enthusiasm WAS shown.
Everybody broke into cheers for Rob-
erts, and sang. "God Save the Queen,
with no end of fervor.
In view of the easy capture Of this
second capital of the Free State, show
ing that the Beers are fully acquainted
with the odds against them In the
huge British force, many militarymen
think the first really strenuous opposi-
tion to Roberts progress will be pre-