RETELLINGS AT KROONSTAD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 15 May 1900, Page 3

RETELLINGS AT KROONSTAD.

AN INTERESTING SNAPSHOT. LORD 'ROBERTS MUCH IMPRESSED. DUTCH INpABITANTS OVBfcJOYED. GENERAL FBENCH'S MOVEMENTS. BOERS AT THABANCHU DEMORALISED. Received May 15, 0.15 .a.m. LONDON, May 14. . Kroonstad was a pandemonium on.Friday. The disheartened Transvaalcrs threatened to burn tho town.

The commandos haye. been reduced- by half by desertions.

A photographer "siiapshoted" Steyn in a inad rage, whipping those intending to trek home, kicking and cuffing the burghers refusing his leadership. Thc. Irish Brigade burned the gooda shed, with much' fodder.

Steyn went, to Heilbron. Two of the Boers' jy.i : were c .r-< i-died during Thursday's action, and thiee afterwards. - „• - -

Lord Roberts' entry was the most impressive scene of-' the war except - General Bailer's entry into Ladysmith. Mw Loehbcad, the Aineric'an.wife of n statesman, hoisted the Union Jack at thc Town "Hall. -

Lord Roberts was stationed at Market Square", -at the head of Pole-Carew's Division. .With ,the whole Infantry and artil.lefy marching nnd the Guards swinging past, to. .the accompaniment of fifes and drums, ho iras much impressed. ' The recently-disarmed Dutch inhabitants are overjoyed at the relief, and cheered vociferously. Major-General French; on Friday seized a drift over tlio Vaalsdfif River, but was too late to cut tho r:,ilway northeast of Kroonstad, tbe Boers havhig already gone. One large bridge southwards of Kroomta.r was found destroyed, and another intact.

.Tlio enemy are entrenching at Staat, to tho westward -of Ventersburg. The commandos northeast of Thabanchu are irresolute aiid demoralised, being astounded al the swiftness of Lord Roberts' movements.