New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18
ORANGE STATE NOW BRITISH.
BOER ARMIES VANISHING BEFORE THE
NEW ORDER OF THINGS.
ICopy-ight: 1900: by The New-TOrk Tribune-l
IBE CABLE TO TEE TRIBUNE.l

tco7y-1ght: 1900: by The New-Tork Trtbune.l
IBr CABLE TO TEE TRIBUNEl
London. March Is l a. m.-The Orange Free
State Is the Queens dominion General Gatacre
has occupied Springfontein, and General Pole
Carew. with the Guards. has Joined General
Clements at NorvaTs Pont The Free State
commanders have disappeared in the south, and
their guns have probably been buried or con
ceaIed. No resistance has been offered TO the
British columns in the southern district. and the
burghers are everywhere returning 10 their
homes. There are many press dispatches from
Brabants. Gatacre's and Clements's columns,
but there is only one story-the Free State forces
are disbanding and the rebellion in the Dutch
districts OF Cape Colony is al end. Bioem-
fontein is like capital which has been under
siege and been relieved by friendly army. The
British troops have been welcomed as allies and
not received sullenly as enemies. The farmers
are supplying the army with meat vegetables,
milk and eggs and making good bargains.
tBobs'' is almost as popular at Bloemfontein
he would be in London The Free State Is
virtually out OF the conflict
The sdvance or General Roberts's zrruy north
ward is now dependent upon the establishment
o. q new line Of communications for supplies
from No-vaI's Ponr, and this cannot be deferred
many days Bridge builders are al work at
SorvaTs Pont and BethuIie. and only a small
force VIII be required 10 guard the line Of COM
-nunications.
There IS definite Information respecting
President ETeyn's operations at Kroonstadt bur
t is doubtful If he succeeds in rallying his fol-
lowers there He viii certainly fail 10 do this
unless the Beers cross the vaal in force and
fortify the Ventersburg ridge They are ru-
nored 10 be intrenching on the northern bank
OF the Vaal River. The last stage Of the cam
paign promises 10 be short and decisive. The
military experts do not now believe that Presi-
cent KRUGER Will be able 10 mass ten thousand
men against Lord Roberts, and this will not
leave more than FIVE thousand men in front of
General Butler.
The relief Of Mafeking will probably be the
next episode Of the campaign. The troops guard
ing the line Of communications south of Kim
berley are virtually released. and with the fresh
Tenforcements landing at Cape Town there will
De strong column available for the deliverance
Of Baden-PoweIl. Secrecy is maintained, but the
work Is without doubt in progress.
General Butler IS reeonuoitring east and west
q Ladysu2ith and is in touch with the enemy
The news is all of one color from every quarter,
ana Il is khaki. The truth seems TO be that the
war VIII be brought 70 an end when two hundred
thousand British and colonial soldiers disarm
about fifteen Thousand Beers in the TransvaaL
There are silly rumors that Dr.. Leyds is COM
Ing in disguise 10 London.
There is a message from Cape Town that the
american hospital ship Maine has sailed home
ward with her wards filed with wounded SOL
oiers. Her errand Of mercy has not been con-
aeHned by the Foreign Office as an act of inter
Teation in South African affairs. / N.F.