News By the Mail.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 4052, 15 May 1900, Page 3

News By the Mail.

Entry into Bloemfontein. Bloemfontein, March 13. The culmination of Lord Roberts’s strategy and splendid generalship was reached to-day, when the British force entered Bloemfontein practically unopposed, and the sight of the British flag flying over the Presidency outbalanced the previous reverses suffered by our arms, inasmuch as to-day’s ceremony signified to all intents and purposes the collapse of the Free State. Last night Lord Roberts, with Generals KellyKenny and Colville’s divisions, the Guards Brigade, and the Mounted Infantry, lay at Venters Vlei, about 14 miles off, while General French, having cut the railway and telegraph lines, had experienced a slight skirmish with the enemy holding the kopjes on the southeast side of the town. Early this morning the first cavalry brigade mov6d forward, and occupied slowly several kopjes to the east of the town, which they commanded. The enemy still remained in position on tho kopjes to the south-west, but the Horse Artillery, with a few well-placed shells soon drove them off. General French then sent out scouts and patrols to feci the way to the town, and, perceiving this, Mr A. B Paterson, correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald , together with the correspondent of the Daily News and myself, galloped forward and entered the town after a hard race, which, the Australian pressman won. At the entrance to the town two bicyclists, who in their fright let their bicycles fall, held up their hands in token of surrender, and we then slackened our pace and at once entered the town. We found it wearing its everyday aspect. People were shopping and taking their morning walks, indeed they did not seem to regard us at all as strangers. Gradually, however, people who had seen us galloping across the plain from the direction of the British army arrived, and then it rapidly became known that we were the forerunners of the British occupation. We were greeted everywhere cordially and respectfully, and soon arrived at the Market-square. Thence we were conducted to the club, where wo met Mr Fraser, a the Executive, the Mayor of Bloemfontein, the Acting Government Secretary, the Landdrost, and other officials. We persuaded them to take carriages out to meet the British force, and this they accordingly did. Half-way out we met Lieutenant Chester Masters with three of the Rimington Scouts, and he was the first British officer victoriously to enter Bloemfontein. Gradually, as we crossed the plain towards the kopjes where the British artillery was stationed, we could perceive the cavalry closing in round the town like a huge net. When wo arrived opposite the kopje where Lord Roberts was stationed the carriago stopped. I then rode up to the kopje and had the honour of announcing to Lord Roberts that Bloemfontein surrendered, A little later, the official deputation having arrived, advanced to the Commander-in-Chief, who went forward to meet them. The scene was picturesque m the extreme. On a kopje characteristic of those, eminences so beloved by the Boers, only a few yards away were the guns of T battery pointing their grim mouths towards the late Boer position, while the zinc roofs of Bloemfontein shone in the distance. When the deputation arrived in front of Lord Roberts the members saluted him most respectfully, and one of their number standing forward declared that the town was without defence and wished to surrender, at the same time expressing the hope that the British Commander-in-Chief would protect the lives and property of the inhabitants. Lord Roberts replied that provided no further opposition was offered he would undertake to guarantee the lives and property of the people. The interview altogether was of a most cordial character. There was nothing of sullenness in the demeanor of the deputation, whose members rather struck one as being greatly relieved by the presence of the British troops. Lord Roberts informod the deputation that it was his intention to enter the capital in state, and thereupon the deputation departed to inform the townspeople. A littlo delay follow jd while Lord Roberts made the ne jessary military dispositions, ordering the Ist Brigade to follow and take possession of the town. Tho Commander-in-Chief and his staff, with military attaches, then descended tho kopje. Having arrived on the plain they waited there till the cavalry approached, and then proceeded towards Bloemfontein across the plains, the order being:— First, Lord Roberts and his personal staff, then the general staff and military attaches. As the procession, headed by Lord Roberts and his staff, approached the town commotion was observable. Mr Collins, the Free State Secretary, mot the Commander-in-Chief and conducted him into the town, where great numbers of the inhabitants, including men, women, and children, were waiting his arrival. Hore a groat surprise was in store for us. Instoad of sullen, scowling faces wo saw only bright looks and

fluttering handkerchiefs, while our ears were greeted wit Ip wild cheers. Amidst such rejoicings Lotd Roberts reached the Market-square, whence he proceeded to the Parliament Houbb, and thenoe to the Presidency. There was then a fresh and yet more impressive outburst of enthusiasm as Lord Roberts entered the front garden of ex-President Steyn’s residence. The large crowd outside suddenly started “ God Save the Queen,” and sang the National Anthem from beginning to end, with tremendous cheering. Captain Lord George Scott followed Lord Roberts bearing a silken Union Jaok, which had been worked by La'dy Roberts, and in one corner of which was a four-leaved shamrock embroidered. With the aid of Commander the Hon. J. Fortesoue, R.N., he bent the flag to the halyard, and amid hurrahs ran the Union Jack up over the town of Bloemfontein. The scene which followed will remain engraved on the memory of all who witnessed it. Half a troop of cavalry faced the gates of the Presidency. The crowd, turning round, appeared to be struck with the begrimmed, unshaven faces of the troopers in their soiled and patched khaki uniforms, everything about them showing signs of hard fighting. Acting apparently upon the impulse of the moment, the crowd roared forth the song “Tommy Atkins,” and then “Soldiers of the Queen.” A visit was paid to the gaol, where four men were found who had been imprisoned for refusing to fight the British. They were at once released. Gradually that portion of the troops necessary to man the northern heights passed through the town, meeting everywhere with a reception which could only be described as enthusiastic. The horse batteries were received with particular warmth. The contrast between the well-fed, comfortable-looking citizens and the gaunt, gallant gunners mounted on horses worn by excessive work, marching past without betraying the slightest emotion, was most striking. As the masses ■ men, waggons, and animals debouched from behind the ridges they gave the distant spectator an impression of water poured on to the plain, and rolling slowly but irresistibly in a mighty wave towards the town. Gradually out of chaos emerged order, as each brigade with its transport established itself in its own lines. Running regular and straight for miles from the high kopje near town could be seen remote in the distance a long serpent, representing regiment after regiment upon Bloemfontein.