A LEADERLES RABBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11372, 15 May 1900, Page 4

A LEADERLES RABBLE.

The Boers in the Orange Free State J who are opposing the advance of Lord Roberts appear to be degenerating into a rabble without any leader with sufficient authority to maintain morale or discipline. The scenes which preceeded the entry of our troops into Kroonstad seem to have been of the most ludicrous character. Mr. Steyn is re- ; presented as endeavouring to I strengthen his rhetorical appeals to ! the burghers to make a stand by a ! liberal dispensation of cuffs and kicks, but without avail, while the Irish Brigade is referred to as "the drunken Irish Brigade," a description which leaves nothing to the imagination. It is evident that the majority of the Free Staters have had enough of war, and that they have no further intention of prosecuting the campaign, while the Transvaalers are stated to be disheartened. The rapidity of Lord Roberts' movements, and the consummate skill with which they are carried out, are not only astonishing the enemy, but, at least so far as the Free Staters are concerned, are breaking down their resistance. The commandos are melting away, the majority of the burghers considering discretion to be the better part of valour. It is now very doubtful whether any serious opposition will be encountered in the Orange Free State south of the Vaal, and we may look to a rapid advance to the Transvaal frontier. The enemy are now completely demoralised, and if we could ouly succeed in intercepting their flight and inflicting upon them a crushing defeat the war would be practically at an end.