Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-14
Boer General Evacuated Strong Posi-
tion in Roberts Front.
BULLER'S MEN At WAKKERSTROON
His and Roberts Forces Are Now
in Touch.
WHY sCHREINER RESIGNED

LONDON. June 1.-THE war office issues
the following report from Lord Roberts,
under date of Pretoria. June IL, afternoon:
1.-The enemy evacuated their strong posi-
ton during the night and have retired to
the eastward Buffers force and mine have
afforded each other mutual assistance.
Our occupation of Pretoria caused numbers
of Beers to withdraw from Laing's Mex, and
Buffers advance to Nolksrust made them
feel their rear would be shortly endan-
gered."
Lord Roberts reports to the war office,
under date of Pretoria, June Ii, 9:55 a. m,
as follows:
"Methuen advanced to Hon!ngspruit yes
terday and found all quiet. Kroonstad is
strongly held. Nethuen returned today to
Rhenoster river, where the railway is being
repaired. We We're engaged all yesterday
with Botha's army. The enemy fought
with considerable determination and held
our cavalry on both fanks: but Ian Hamil-
ton, assisted by the guards brigade of Pole
Carews division. pushing forward. took the
hill in his front. which caused the enemy
to fall back on their second position to the
eastward. This they are still holding. 1t is
slightly higher than the one we have cap
tured. The great extent of country which
has to be covered under modern conditions
of warfare renders progress very slow.
"Details Of the casualties have not
reached me, but I understand they are
moderate in numbers. The only further
casualties reported to date are two officers
wounded
Buffers Forces mt WnkkerstrOOm.
Gen. Butler reports to the war office as
follows:
"Headquarters at Laing's Mex, June IL,
morning:
Gen. Lyttleton yesterday received the
al rt,r,oiS of hn
of Wakkerstroom, which the enemy Is be-
Eevod to have completely evacuated
Lord Roberts engagement with Gen.
Botha terminated as expected by the Boer
commander-in-chief retiring from his posi-
tons. Beyond driving Botha further from
the capital, little seems to have been ac-
ccmp!ished as Lord Roberts does not men-
ton the capture of prisoners or guns or the
inhiction Cf loss.
Perhaps the most important feature re-
vealed by todays official dispatches is the
announcement that the army of Natal Is at
last in touch with Lord Roberts troops.
The accomplishment Of this movement, long
delayed, should considerably accelerate the
pacifcation of the Transvaal.
That it is already bearing fruit is evil
denced by the submission of the Walker
stroom district to General Lyttleton. An
other dispatch from General Butler says
General Clery encountered no opposition In
his march from 1nSogo to Iangs Mex,
which he now occupies. General Dartnell
marched through Lang Mex June lo
Wednesday,, on his way to Charlestown.
The press dispatches say Charlestown was
partially destroyed previous to its evacua-
ton by the Beers but that no damage was
done at Volksrust.
Schrefner Persists in "ResfgnfnG.'
The Orange river colony affairs seem to
be returning to the same status as obtained
previous to the cutting of the line of Brit
ish communications. Mr.. Schreiner appears
determined to adhere to his resignation of
the premiership, in spite of the pressure
brought to bear on him by Sir Alfred MIL
ner. the British high commissioner, and IT
is announced frcm Cape Town that Miner
has sent for Sir John Gordon Sprigg, the
former premier. who is understood to be
trying to form a cabinet
A dispatch from Cape Town says:
AT the opening of parliament, Mr..
Schrcincr will explain that he resigned be-
cause he was unwilling to remain in office
supported by the opposition, believing his
influence is greater with the moderate Afri-
kanders when private member than as
premier by the grace Of the progressives
Nevertheless, leaders of the Afrikander ex-
trcmists said to consider Mr.. Schrciner
a traitor to their cause.