The evening times., 1900-06-01

LONDON, June Although the War
Office made public no additional dispatches
from either General Roberts or General
Butler. il is believed here that the British
Commander Chief is we'll on his way
to Pretoria, after having raised the
union jack over johannesburg.
Such dispatches as are to be had in
dicate however that the Boer policy Of
inactivity has changed to one Of agrees
sion and that the burghers are now max
ing a desperate effort to hold back Rob-
erts' army from the Transvaal capital
When last heard from Pretoria was still in
possession of the Beers. One despatch in
dicates that the most vigorous fighting
is in progress south of the city and that
there are repeated skirmishes between
Pretoria and Johannesburg.
despatch from a correspondent with
Roberts army. dated Germiston, and sent
IN Wednesday, said that the Boer forces
we're concentrating six miles south Of the
capital for a new and desperate stand.
The front extended twelve miles. The
burgher army was still intact, as General
Roberts had not taken a gun or a pris-
oner.
Other dispatches, however, would indi-
cate that the Beers are retiring from the
southwark of Pretoria, that they are going
in an easterly direction. and that the fight
ing is degenerating into a series of skir-
mishes and guerrilla attacks.
The best opinion h.-e is that the war is
practically over. Already it is known that
Lord Kitchener is to be the first Military
Governor of the two republics.
1t is thought to be likely that the Boer
forces in front Of Roberts are retiring TO
Lydenburg, in the mountains The 10000
men now holding Butler in check at La:ng's
Mex may retire straight northward in the
same direction, and \ force Of 10000 men
may be finally gathered at the mountain
stronghold. These may carry on the war
for some time, while guerrilla bands raid
and attack in other directions.
II is said on good authority that the
blowing up Of the Beghie Works at Jo-
hanesburg has reduced the supply Of am
munition so much that the Boer forces are
badly crippled. This is said to have been
:abled TO the War Office by General Rob-
aTts.
cate that Pretoria is evidently simply
waiting for the arrival of the British. They
say that it is evident that Roberts ad
vance force viii soon be there
Dispatches from Pretoria confirm the re-
ports of Kruger's fight. the appointment
Of a citizens committee to keep order un-
I'll the British Army reaches the city, and
Of the British prisoners being in charge
of English officers who were released for
the purpose.
The BOer capital is now reported from
Lourenco Marques TO be at MiddlebuTg, or
Lydenburg. and it is thought President
Kruger may be at one of those places. 1t
is suggested from Lourenco Marques that
the burgher capital will be shifted further
east than Middleburg. when occasion re-
Quires.
The absence of news from General
French who at last accounts was moving
Oh Pretoria leads many to believe that he
is near the city. if he has not already en-
tered it, and that it was his approach. un-
known even to General Roberts, which led
TO the Boer collapse and Krugers flight.
The report Of Kruger's capture is discred-
tied.
The Daily Mali has this despatch from
Pretoria:
Pretoria, ednesday.-President Kru-
ger and the Government left Pretoria last
night. SHUTS, the State Attorney. is the
only member remaining. At a meeting this
morning. the burgomaster, Porgieter de
SOuza. and the Secretary of War were
handed the provisional administration of
the towns affairs. An influential commit
tee has been appointed to assist him.
Considerable anxiety was felt here last
night about the British prisoners of war
at Waterfall Accordingly. Burgomaster
De Souza took the parole of twenty three
British officers and handed over to them
the control of the prison. Everything is
quiet and orderly"