LORD ROBERTS ENTERS KROONSTAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11371, 14 May 1900, Page 5

LORD ROBERTS ENTERS KROONSTAD.

FLIGHT OF STEIN.

* FREE STATERS DECLINE TO FIGHT.

DISSENSIONS AMONG TEE ENEMY,

ADVANCE OF THE MAFEKING RELIEF

COLUMN.

MARCHING DAY AND NIGHT,

SMART SKIEMISHINCt IN NATAL.

SCENE IN THE TRANSVAAL VOLKSKAAD.

KRUGER ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright.

London, May 13. It is officially announced that Lord Roberts entered Kroonstad yesterday unopposed. Steyn fled during the previous night. He vainly endeavoured to persuade the burghers to continue fighting. The refusal of the burghers to fight at Kroonstad resulted in a great quarrel between the Free Staters and the Transvaalers. Lindley, 45 miles east of Kroonstad, on the railway connecting Kroonstad with Harrismith, has been chosen as the new seat of the Free State Government. London, May 15!. The Household Cavalry have occupied Ventersburg. Botha commanded 6000 Boers with 12 guns at the Sand, and eight commandants, including Do Wet and De la Rey, were also present. Thousands of the enemy on the previous night trekked with their guns and families towards Kroonstad under cover of a clever rearguard action, which lasted all the following day, the convoy getting their waggons near Kroonstad by dusk. The Times correspondent states that the enemy held an impossible position partially covering the Sand River. General Tucker shelled them out of their main position, and General Pole-Carew's cavalry outflanked them. The mounted troops gallantly pursued them, but were checked by the strong rearguard until reinforcements reached them. London, May 11.■ Lord Roberts is at Reitspruit, eight miles north of the Sand River. He telegraphed that his forces had a successful day on Thursday. They drove the enemy from point to point. The Cavalry and Mounted Infantry reached Ventersburg station, about 25 miles south of Kroonstad. General Tucker's division is at Dulfontein, and General Hamilton's at Ventersburg. The latter met with a stubborn resistance. The Boers have again attempted to occupy the Thabanchu district, and Generals Rundle and Brabant are trying to prevent them. Generals French and Hutton, alter a series of artillery duels, crossed the Sand at Vermenlene Kraal, and thence worked north-east, 3000 of the enemy continuously opposing them. The infantry carried some kopjes at the bayonet's point with great gallantry. The Sussex and East Lancashire Regiments were especially conspicuous in these charges. Lord Roberts has wired that the enemy north of the Sand River before they retreated occupied a position extending over 20 miles. Our lines, says Roberts, were necessarily longer than theirs. lam hopeful, continues the Commander-in-Chief, that our men have not suffered much. President Steyn has 10,000 men north-east of Thabanchu. It is expected that his cattle will be captured.