Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-05-29
CORRESPONDENT wHIGHAM.s STORY
Great Decentralization in the Transvaal-
Indications of a Collapse.


Indications of q Collar pse.
H. d. Whiggham. In a dispacht TO
The Daily Mail. dated May IS, says:
The decentralization of the Transyaal
is remarkable Panic and confusion
prevail everywhere. Every one is
weary Of the war and full of fear as to
the coming of the British. Operations
were being carried on for encircling
Pretoria with telegraphlc communica-
tons. Fourteen points in the line of
defenses were connected with head
quarters and with the Staats artillery,
but this apparently was the only de
fensive measure adopted. There We're
no other visible preparations Not
much gOle is likely to be found in the
treasury The salaries of the officials
and judges have not been paid, or have
been paid only in national bank notes,
which will be worthless when Lord
Roberts arrives.
Both President Steyn and Presi-
dent Kruger complain bitterly of Lord
Roberts unfair tactics in refusing
to meet the Beers in positions chosen
by them and in eternally turning them
by flank movements. Around JOhan-
nesburg a few trenches have been dug
but no other steps have been taken for
defense. The railway line is blocked
with refugees from the west and south
west. who are packed like SardineS in
trucks. The government Is now ell
deavOring TO reasSure the public by
telling them that the British will not
outrage and plunder them. but 1t is
TOO late. The previous mis-Statements
are bringing their rewards. Food IS
very scarce and prices rule high.
There mas been d decided change in
public opinion, which has become
quite English. The burghers on COM
mando sing God Save the Queen and
they cannot be stopped. All are sick
OF warfare. In the towns the rabid
anti Englishism Is less rampant Peo-
pie are thinking of their property. The
party eager for surrender Is now very
influential. and includes the principal
leaders at the front. The Intelligent
public feel that the game is up.
The government has arranged to
continue the agitation against the Brit
ish occupation OF the two republics on
the continent or Europe, in Great Brit
ain and in the United States. Great
efforts are 10 be made in this direction
and no expense Will be spared. | have
excellent reasons for believing that the
BewadrplaStsen rights have been sold
10 Il French syndicate without the
sanction OF the vOlkSraad. The gov
ernmeut hopes by this means To bring
about French Intervention for the pro-
lection of French rights in the Wit
watersrand. and thus to cause England
grave difficulties. The conduct Of Unit
ed States Consul Hay is admirably
discreet and meets with universal
praise alike from Boer and British
sympathiZer."
The whole number of belligerent
Beers in the eastern part of the Free
State, Notwithstanding the estimates
that place them anywhere from 1900
to 5000. is according to General Run
dies information not more than I 900.
The morning papers generally regard
the BOer organized resistance as near
an end. Predictions are made that the
British flag will fly at Johannesburg
today and ut Pretoria Saturday. One
view is that Lord Roberts may pass by
Johannesburg and move straight on
Pretoria.
The Morning Post has the following
dispatch from LOurenZo Marques.
dated yesterday. president Kruger
has issued Il public proclamation
warning all people to leave Johannes
burg. Oe to remain there at the peril of
their lives. as it might become neces
sary To destroy the town and the
mines"